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Therapies to remove harmful immune B-cells that drive inflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS) may also work by mobilizing protective, gut-derived B-cells into the bloodstream and nervous system, a new study shows. Researchers also found that higher levels of molecules thought to drive such protective functions in B-cells were linked…

Treatment with neural stem cells — cells that have the ability to mature into supportive cells of the brain and spinal cord — showed early signs of neuroprotection in people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to long-term follow-up data from a small early clinical trial. The…

Australian researchers are using lab-grown “mini brains” to investigate new ways to repair myelin, the protective coating surrounding nerve cells that is lost in multiple sclerosis (MS). The 3D lab models, grown from human stem cells, will allow researchers to study how myelin forms naturally in the human…

Under-the-skin (subcutaneous) injections of Tysabri (natalizumab) allow people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) to receive treatment much faster, more conveniently, and with less disruption to daily life than the original into-the-vein (intravenous) form, a study found. Use of the subcutaneous formulation, which is approved in the European…

People diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) tend to eat healthier diets and take more vitamin supplements than those without the chronic autoimmune disease, according to a new study in Egypt. “MS patients showed a different dietary pattern characterised by higher micronutrient and supplement intake, most likely reflecting post-diagnosis behavioural…

A small molecule called CN045 may help repair myelin — the protective coating around nerve fibers that is damaged in multiple sclerosis (MS) — according to a new preclinical study. Researchers found that CN045 promoted the maturation of myelin-making cells in lab tests and modestly increased remyelination, the process…

Certain diets may support cognitive function in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a systematic review of available studies. Studies of the low-fat Swank and Wahls diets reported improvements in processing speed and self-perceived cognitive function, although the evidence was limited. Evidence for the Mediterranean diet was mixed, while…

Lower levels of a rare gut bacterium called Akkermansia massiliensis may increase the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) by reducing the activity of an immune-regulating gene called FcRL3, offering researchers potential new therapeutic targets, according to a genetic study. “The FcRL3 protein plays a key role in linking specific…

Childhood trauma may make it harder for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to consistently adhere to their treatment plans and establish a strong relationship with their physician, according to a study in Italy. Researchers also found that much of the association between adverse experiences in early life and lower…

In analyzing brain MRIs on people with early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), two markers of ongoing inflammation may help identify those patients at a higher risk of cognitive decline despite having no relapses or new lesions, or signs of tissue damage, a study from Europe suggests. The researchers say…

A protein called Piezo2 may help maintain the myelin sheath around nerve fibers, or axons, and could offer a new therapeutic target for preserving myelin in multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a preclinical study. Mice lacking Piezo2 in oligodendrocytes, the cells that make myelin, developed age-related motor problems and…

In people with multiple sclerosis (MS), an overactive immune response to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) — most famous as the cause of the so-called kissing disease mono — may be a driver of the neurological condition, a new study suggests. Researchers found that a specific type of immune…

Recent updates to the McDonald criteria — the internationally recognized guidelines used to diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS) — may support earlier and more accurate diagnoses. But the changes are also expected to require researchers to rethink how clinical trials testing new MS therapies are run, and better biomarkers…

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who are overweight or obese show subtle changes in walking patterns early in the disease, a small, exploratory study found. Walking speed, number of steps per minute, and step length did not differ significantly between MS patients with extra weight and patients at a healthy…

Physical exercise may do more than improve muscle strength and mobility in people with multiple sclerosis (MS): Certain types of exercise may also help protect nerve cells from ongoing damage, according to a review of published studies. The review linked resistance training, Pilates, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to…

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who more closely adhere to a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, and lean proteins may experience slight improvements in physical disability scores over time, a small prospective study suggests. Conversely, researchers found that patients who did not stick closely to the healthy eating plan…

A noninvasive brain stimulation technique may help adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) walk farther and improve their balance, a review study found. The therapy, called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), was especially effective when used at higher intensities for 20 minutes. Evidence of its benefits for fine hand movements…

Note: This story was updated July 16, 2026, to correct that home-based Pilates led to a 9.5-point benefit in the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, not 99.5 points. Pilates-based interventions may improve mobility, balance, and quality of life of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), while reducing their fatigue, according to…

AB Science is stopping a late-stage clinical trial testing its oral drug masitinib as a treatment for progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), saying this study and the therapy’s clinical development for MS are no longer a priority for the company. Instead, the developer will advance masitinib for…

A rehabilitation program using virtual reality (VR) may help improve some cognitive skills — especially those related to processing speed and memory — in people with multiple sclerosis (MS),  according to a new review covering more than a dozen studies. The researchers found that incorporating this type of new…

A test using data from 18 blood biomarkers to track disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) was able to distinguish true MS relapses from symptom worsening unrelated to active inflammation with high accuracy in a small real-world study. The findings suggest Octave Bioscience’s Multiple Sclerosis Disease Activity (MSDA) test may…

Rehabilitation strategies aimed at learning new skills may promote myelin repair in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), said scientists, who called for more research to test these strategies and determine the best way to deploy them. The international team provided an overview of what’s currently known about how rehab…

Daily intake of propionic acid, a substance naturally made by gut bacteria when they break down fiber from food, significantly reduced blood levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL), a marker of nerve cell damage, in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). That’s according to data from a small Phase 2b…

Researchers at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) received a $470,000 grant to investigate how a ketogenic diet — one that is high in fats and low in carbohydrates — may help protect vision in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The project,…

About one-quarter of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience difficulties finding the right words when speaking, a symptom that is linked to broader cognitive problems rather than fatigue or depression, according to a new study. The findings showed that MS patients with cognitive impairment were nearly five times more…

In addition to controlling multiple sclerosis (MS), the approved therapy Mavenclad (cladribine) may also help manage certain coexisting autoimmune diseases, potentially allowing some patients to avoid taking multiple immunosuppressive therapies simultaneously. The findings come from a review of eight adults in the French MS Registry (NCT02889965) who…

Certain gut bacteria may influence the odds of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), in part by altering the activity of specific immune cells, according to an analysis of data from tens of thousands of people. While the findings point to possible biological mechanisms linking gut bacteria and MS, the associations…

A research team at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has received a $7.49 million grant to advance a novel cell-based therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) toward its first clinical trial. The state funding, awarded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), was earmarked for a team…

Nanocurcumin, a dietary supplement containing the turmeric compound curcumin, may significantly improve disability outcomes in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), according to a review of multiple clinical trials. However, evidence supporting other similar compounds called polyphenols remains limited and inconsistent. The review also found that…

Changes in the upper part of the spinal cord may help identify people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who are at higher risk of converting to the secondary progressive form of the disease (SPMS), a study reports. People with RRMS who later developed SPMS tended to have a…