News

Octave’s MS disease activity test now available across US

Octave Bioscience’s Multiple Sclerosis Disease Activity (MSDA) test, which uses data from blood biomarkers to assess multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity, is now available across all 50 U.S. states to help guide clinicians’ decisions about care. Octave said the test received certification from the New York State Clinical…

Thyroid hormone FT4 may play role in development of MS

The thyroid hormone thyroxine, or FT4, may play an indirect role in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS), which seems to be mediated by certain immune cells, a study suggests. “Future investigations should explore how these immune cells modulate MS onset and progression in the context of thyroid…

New AI tool accurately detects transition from RRMS to SPMS

A new machine learning tool, a form of artificial intelligence (AI), may accurately detect the transition from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) — and may be able to do so even earlier than clinicians can — a new study showed. According to the…

Resistance training program didn’t cut cardiovascular risk in SPMS

While a four-month progressive resistance training program improved muscle strength in people with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis  (SPMS) in the Netherlands, it did not significantly change their risk of developing cardiovascular disease, a small study showed. Individual cardiovascular risk factors and 10-year risk estimation tools showed no significant changes…

Cleveland Clinic wins funds to compare RRMS treatment strategies

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has awarded the Cleveland Clinic $6.7 million to identify optimal treatment strategies for people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The funds will support the extension study of the multicenter DELIVER-MS (NCT03535298) clinical trial. The study is comparing two MS treatment approaches…

Biomarkers, aging among topics in new MS care guidelines

New diagnostic criteria and biomarkers, how to manage MS in older patients and children, and vaccine recommendations are among topics covered in a new set of guidelines for best practices in multiple sclerosis (MS) care. The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, a network of more than 15,000 clinicians…

Gene variant plus mono raises MS risk: Large-scale study

The risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) is significantly higher in people who carry a variant of the HLA gene called HLA-E*01:01 and have a history of infectious mononucleosis (mono), the manifestation of an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, according to a study based on U.K. Biobank data. The higher…

Online training offers real-world, cognitive benefits for MS patients

An online training program for managing memory and cognitive difficulties may help people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a study suggests. The program, delivered entirely through virtual sessions, taught participants practical strategies to boost memory then guided them about using the techniques in real-world situations, such as organizing errands, planning…

Disease activity test helps with MS care decisions: Study

Assessing multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity using Octave Bioscience’s MS Disease Activity (MSDA) blood biomarker test can help guide clinicians’ decisions about care, a study showed. “Our goal is to empower both providers and patients with precision tools that transform MS care,” Doug Biehn, CEO of Octave, said…

Tysabri infusion improves working ability for RRMS patients: Study

One year of Tysabri (natalizumab) treatment improves working ability among people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), according to new data from TITAN, an observational study by researchers in France that assessed the impact of the infusion therapy. Use of the approved therapy resulted in improvements across several parameters:…

In MS, best exercises for balance may depend on specific issues

Some exercises are better than others at easing certain problems associated with balance in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and the most effective type may depend on a patient’s specific issue, a small study suggested. The findings “provide valuable insights into the long-term effects of these exercises,” the researchers…

Medicaid coverage tied to worse MS outcomes for US patients: Study

Medicaid coverage for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the U.S. is associated with worse disease outcomes — including more clinical relapses and greater disability progression — compared with private insurance, according to a new study that investigated the impact of insurance type and socioeconomic factors on patient care. In…

AAN 2025: CAR T-cell therapy for MS shows safety, efficacy in trials

Kyverna Therapeutics’ CAR T-cell therapy candidate KYV-101 was deemed safe and well tolerated, and showed preliminary signs of efficacy, in people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in clinical testing. That’s according to data from two investigator-initiated Phase 1 trials, which enrolled individuals with secondary progressive…

2 researchers win Breakthrough Prize for MS discoveries

A pair of scientists have been awarded a 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for their work uncovering factors that give rise to multiple sclerosis (MS), paving the way for new therapeutic developments. Sometimes referred to as the “Oscars of Science,” Breakthrough Prizes are given each year to…

AAN 2025: Frexalimab results promising over 2-year extension

Frexalimab, an experimental antibody-based medication, was well tolerated and maintained disease control over two years in adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). That’s according to new data from an open-label extension to a Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT04879628) in which frexalimab outperformed a placebo at reducing…

AAN 2025: Gains from CNM-Au8 in RRMS linked to nerve cell repair

Clinical improvements in vision and cognition linked to the use of treatment candidate CNM-Au8 were correlated with signs of nerve cell repair and remyelination among people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), according to new data. Remyelination is the process by which myelin, the fatty substance surrounding nerve cells…

Nondrug therapy costs high for MS patients in Austria, study finds

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Austria spend an average of €136 (about $149) per month on nondrug therapies such as dietary supplements and therapeutic interventions like physiotherapy, a study found. These complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) are generally not fully covered by Austria’s public healthcare system, leaving many…