Author Archives: Patricia Silva PhD

Trigeminal neuralgia is a term used for facial pain associated with damage to the trigeminal nerve, or the 5th cranial nerve — the largest one among the body’s 12 pairs of cranial nerves and one of the most widely distributed nerves in the head. Usually occurring in people older…

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that is unique to each patient, meaning that no two people experience the exact same disease manifestations. While there are common symptoms that many MS patients share, such as pain and chronic fatigue, some may experience more unusual symptoms. Seven of…

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) recently launched a new version of the My MS Manager, a mobile app designed to provide convenient services to the multiple sclerosis (MS) community. The app is powered by @Point of Care and is available as a free download…

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) announced that it will expand its MRI Access Fund to help meet the growing demand for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests within the multiple sclerosis (MS) community. The fund is designed to help cover the costs of brain and spinal MRI scans…

Myomo, a wearable medical robotics company, announced that MyoPro — its myoelectric orthosis or powered brace — is now available for use by teenagers with paralyzed or weakened arms due to injuries or neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS). MyoPro is a lightweight wearable device that helps restore…

MMJ Bioscience, which specializes in medical cannabis products, has filed a request with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to open Phase 2 clinical trials evaluating the company’s THC/CBD pharmaceutical compounds as possible treatments for symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). THC refers to the tetrahydrocannabinol compound, part of…

Alkermes announced that it has received a $50 million payment from Biogen after a review of preliminary data related to the gastrointestinal tolerability of BIIB098 (diroximel fumarate), now in pivotal clinical studies as a possible treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). BIIB098, formerly known as ALKS 8700…

Researchers at the University of Missouri found that a lack of appropriate clothing designed for people with disabilities, caused by accidents or chronic diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), can be a barrier to participation and a sense of inclusion in the workplace. Because workplace attire can be specific and…

PathMaker Neurosystems, which specializes in non-invasive devices to treat chronic neuromotor disorders, won the 2018 French-American Business (FAB) Award in the startup/small company category. PathMaker, based in Boston, is developed and testing MyoRegulator, a potential treatment for muscle spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy and other chronic conditions.

Two groups working to collect and promote patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in research and treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) announced they will jointly explore ways to “standardize and harmonize” these measures so as to make them more effective. The effort brings the iConquerMS People-Powered Research Network, managed by the nonprofit Accelerate Cure Project…

The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) is partnering with Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and its newly opened Autoimmunity Institute — based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — to study the costs of autoimmune disease to patients in the U.S., including that of just getting a correct diagnosis. AARDA, a non-profit…

A North Carolina couple living with multiple sclerosis have raised more than $20,000 so far this year to support Discovery MS, a nonprofit research initiative that is part of Duke University’s School of Medicine. Specifically, the money will support program efforts  to improve MS diagnosis and prognosis, gain a clearer understanding…

The Lambert Center for the Study of Medicinal Cannabis and Hemp  has launched mmj.org, an initiative to advance the scientific community’s understanding of medical marijuana and its derivatives through the creation of a comprehensive national patient registry. The Thomas Jefferson University center registry aims to enroll  100,000 medical marijuana…

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is inviting all mud-lovers to Saturday’s kickoff of MuckFest MS in Boston, Massachusetts, which raises money and awareness for multiple sclerosis (MS). The event includes a 5K “mud run” with “outrageous obstacles and a whole lot of mud” that definitely will make you sore “from…

After an agreement to lower their prices, four treatments for relapsing multiple sclerosis — Biogen’s Avonex and Merck KGaA‘s Rebif (both interferon beta-1a), Novartis’ Extavia (interferon beta 1b), and Teva’s Copaxone (glatiramer acetate) — were recommended as cost-effective and long-term therapy options within the National Health Service…

Julie Roberts, a country music singer and multiple sclerosis (MS) patient advocate, will perform at the upcoming Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC)’s annual meeting, the association announced Roberts, diagnosed with MS while making her second recording in 2005, will also attend CMSC sessions to learn more about…

Young adults living with multiple sclerosis (MS) will now be able to experience a variety of outdoor adventures thanks to a new adventure-based healing program created through a partnership between Velocity Global and First Descents. First Descents offers free trips to young cancer patients to help empower…

Curatio and BioScript Solutions recently launched a mobile patient engagement platform designed to provide multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with a way to connect, share experiences, and gain new knowledge. The private, free social network app was introduced at the recent HLTH conference, which took place May 6-9…

Improving financial support programs for those living with multiple sclerosis (MS) would increase workforce participation and boost economic activity, concluded a report published by the Conference Board of Canada in March, which was Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. Today, about 100,000 Canadians live with MS, making Canada one of…

For Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month and leading up to May 30, World MS Day,  EMD Serono, Canada, is taking a virtual reality program to three Canadian cities to help educate people about multiple sclerosis and its impact. The biopharmaceutical company wants to help people better understand what it…

The MS Focus: Multiple Sclerosis Foundation will be accepting applications through June for its Cooling Program, which provides cooling garments to multiple sclerosis patients whose condition has left them heat-sensitive. Although 60 to 80 percent of patients are heat-sensitive, there were no MS-specific cooling garments on the U.S. market until…

The Dartmouth-Hitchcock health system is starting a three-year nationwide study of the quality of care that multiple sclerosis patients receive. It will focus on geographic differences in care and quality improvement. The project’s name is the Multiple Sclerosis Continuous Quality Improvement Collaborative study. Its goal is to improve care by sharing…

A recent pop-up cafe in Dublin allowed customers to experience what it’s like to live with multiple sclerosis (MS) to highlight the urgent need for improved access to care and treatment for MS patients in Ireland. MSunderstood Café gave customers a small taste of the challenges and symptoms MS…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently cleared the myBioness mobile app, designed by Bioness, to be used with the L300 Go System to improve muscle strength in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) or other conditions that affect walking. The L300 Go System is approved to help…

The United Spinal Association will hold a webinar this week to seek ideas for making air travel better for wheelchair users, including multiple sclerosis patients. One focus of the event will be the problems wheelchair users have encountered at airports. Another will be bills in the U.S. House and Senate…

The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) is partnering with a number of organizations during Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in March to provide education, research and services to the MS community. CMSC is a non-profit organization that provides educational programs and resources to MS professionals, healthcare providers, researchers and the…

Symbiotix Biotherapies has gained access to Harvard University material that could help it develop treatments for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel diseases. It obtained access to the intellectual property, much of which deals with gut bacteria, under a licensing agreement with Harvard. Intellectual property typically includes…

The American Brain Foundation has started a crowdfunding campaign to support research that could lead to treatments for multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Foundation officials said the funds will help facilitate the work of Steffen Jung, head of the immunology department at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel.

More studies are showing that medical cannabis can alleviate symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a company that helps patients, doctors and others understand genetic conditions better. The observation came in GeneFo’s 2018 Guide to Clinical Effects of Medical Cannabis. Some research has suggested that cannabis strains containing…

A researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Nursing will help to lead a national effort into how multiple sclerosis (MS) affects the cognitive skills of children. Yolanda Harris is the UAB principal investigator in a study assessing how MS impacts the way children make decisions. Titled “…