News

Multiple Sclerosis-like Disorder Blocked in Mice Study

Researchers demonstrated a processĀ that prevented an induced autoimmune disease from taking hold in the central nervous system of mice, and think it has the potential of being translated into a multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy. The study detailing the method and its promising results is entitled ā€œInfusion of Sulfosuccinimidyl-4-[N-maleimidomethyl]cyclohexane-1-carboxylate-Conjugated MOG35ā€“55-Coupled…

People with Relapsing NMOD Invited to Enter Phase 3 Study

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recently announced that a research team is recruiting 132 patients with a diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) for a Phase 3 clinical study comparing an experimental medicine with an inactive placebo. NMOSD is a rare disorder caused by immune system cells attacking…

Pomegranate Seed Oil May Be Therapy for MS Disease and Its Progression

In a recent study,Ā researchers show how a natural antioxidant within pomegranate seeds is capable of inhibiting demyelination in a mouse model for multiple sclerosis (MS), supporting novel formulations of natural antioxidants as therapeutics for demyelinating diseases. The study,Ā ā€œTreatment of a multiple sclerosis animal model by a novelĀ nano dropĀ formulation of…

APF Scholarship Goes to Study of Stigma and Depression in MS

Ms. Margaret Cadden, a Pennsylvania State University doctoral student in Clinical Psychology, has been selected by theĀ American Psychological Foundation (APF)Ā as the recipient of theĀ 2015 APF Scott and Paul Pearsall Scholarship prize of $10,000. The scholarship will be used to researchĀ depression, stigma, and disease progression in individuals with varying…

Opexa Therapeutics’ MS Therapy Selected as ‘Top Project to Watch’

Opexa TherapeuticsĀ announced that it has been named one of theĀ ā€œTop Projects to Watchā€Ā for the third consecutive year. A panel of independent experts recognized the biopharmaceutical company for its work in the development of personalized immunotherapies for autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Opexa was…

MS Society Funds 3 New Investigations into Symptom Management

TheĀ Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS Society)Ā in the U.K. recently announcedĀ  awards targeted towardsĀ new MS research. In total, 16 projects carefully selected by both a panel of experts and patients living with MS will share MS Society 2015 funding grants amounting toĀ Ā£1,979,879. All projects fulfilled the requirements of high scientific…

MS Patients on Salt-heavy Diets Risk Inflammation

Findings from two studies, recently published in theĀ Journal of Clinical Investigation, indicate that high levels of salt alter the stability of the immune system and make it more susceptible to inflammation. The studies, which were led by Dr. David Hafler from Yale University and Dr. Dominik…

Multiple Sclerosis Patients Show Improved Reactions with Treadmill Exercise

Several studies have shown that exercise can improve movement in multiple sclerosis (MS), but new researchĀ indicates that it specifically may also Ā improve reaction time, a measurement of cognitive impairment. The study, titled “Acute effects of varying intensities of treadmill walking exercise on inhibitory control in persons with…

MS Society Supports 2 Projects Advancing MS Care, Services

The United Kingdom basedĀ Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS Society) recently announced Ā£1.98 million in grants toĀ new MS research projects in different disease-related areas. A panel of experts carefully selected 16 projects to be funded through the MS Societyā€™s 2015 grant round, totaling Ā£1,979,879. All selected projects fulfill the requirements of…

Myelin Dysfunction in MS and Other White Matter Diseases Found to Be Linked to Specific Gene Mutations

In a new study, researchers have revealed the previously unknown function of the FAM126A gene in supporting myelination (the formation of the myelin sheath that protects neurons), a critically important processĀ in the development and recovery of acute exacerbations in multiple sclerosis (MS). The research paper, entitled ā€œThe leukodystrophy protein…

MS Society Funds 5 Projects Aiming to Cure the Disease

The Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS Society) in the United Kingdom recently announced the investment of Ā£1.98 million in new MS research. After an in-depth, rigorous review process of the 58 applications submitted, 16 projects were awarded funding through the MS Societyā€™s 2015 grant round totaling Ā£1,979,879. All applications…

Might Chocolate Ease Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue?

A research team from Oxford Brookes UniversityĀ is being given aĀ Ā£70,000 ($107,000) grant to analyze whether dark chocolate can help ease symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS Society) will fund the study. The goal of the project, according to aĀ press release,Ā is to investigate if a…

Novel Protein Suppresses MS in Mouse Model, Inhibits Neuroinflammation in Spinal Cord

In a recent study entitled ā€œMyelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG35-55)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is ameliorated in interleukin-32 alpha transgenic mice,ā€ a team of researchers investigated whether interleukin (IL)-32, a cytokine with an established role in rheumatoid arthritis, has a protective function in a mouse model of human multiple…

Multiple Sclerosis Report Highlights High Cost of Care in UK

A new report, written jointly by the NHiS Commissioning Excellence and the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Trust, highlights the healthcare costs of emergency hospitalization of MS patients in the United Kingdom and points to more cost-effective and better ways toĀ care for this patient population. The executive summary and full report are…

ForuMS Gives MS Clinicians an Online Link to Latest Research

ForuMS is a new interactive and online “journal club” whereĀ clinicians treating multiple sclerosis (MS) patients or involved in researchĀ can discuss and analyze recent papers from top peer-reviewed journals covering the latest advances in disease diagnosis and management. The educational platform, sponsored by grants from Genzyme, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, and Medtronic, uses…

Hypoxia-Measuring Technology in MS Could Be Potential Biomarker for Treatment Responses

In a new study entitled ā€œReduced cortical microvascular oxygenation in multiple sclerosis: a blinded, case-controlled study using a novel quantitative near-infrared spectroscopy method,ā€ a team of researchers at theĀ Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of CalgaryĀ investigated whether frequency domain near-infrared spectroscopy technology can measure the potential…

Mitsubishi Auction Raises Money for Multiple Sclerosis Society

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) recently announced a nationwideĀ auction of itsĀ first Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Final Edition to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The auction is currently ongoing on eBay Ā and bidding will conclude on Nov. 21 at the 29th annual MS Dinner Auction, sponsored…

Could Remyelination Be Achieved in MS Using an Anti-Inflammatory Treatment?

In a recent study entitled ā€œPromotion of Remyelination by Sulfasalazine in a Transgenic Zebrafish Model of Demyelination,ā€ researchers investigated whetherĀ sulfasalazine treatment, an anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating drug, could promote remyelination of axons in an organism model of demyelination diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The study was published in the…

MS Patients and Doctors Have a New Way of Working Together

A new partnership betweenĀ ARM and HeartToHeart Networks LLCĀ has brought healthcare providers of patients with neurodegenerative disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, a new and secure tool for remote health management. The novel health management (RHM) solution combines technology from both companies. It uses mobile devices adapted with a Trusted…

Potential MS Therapeutic Targets Found in Plasma Metabolites

In a new study entitled ā€œUntargeted plasma metabolomics identifies endogenous metabolite with drug-like properties in chronic animal model of multiple sclerosis,ā€ a team of researchers performed a comparative analysis of metabolites between control mice and a mouse model with experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE, the most commonly used…

Roche to Pursue MS Ocrelizumab Drug Market Authorization

RocheĀ recently provided an update on their late-stage pipeline products across several therapeutic areas, including ocrelizumab for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The data was disclosed on Nov. 5 at the Roche Pharma Day 2015 event in London, U.K. Ocrelizumab was previously revealed to be the first investigational medicine…

Hemispherx Biopharma and myTomorrows Collaborate to Provide South American MS Patients with Interferon Therapy

MyTomorrows, a company that provides information and facilitates requests regarding clinical trials, diagnostic tests and medicines through its internet-based platform, and Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc, a pharmaceutical company specialized in the development of new therapiesĀ for life-threatening disorders, have partnered in an effort to make Hemispherxā€™s natural alpha interferon therapy…

MS, Other Groups to Benefit from Fitbit’s Step Challenge

Fitbit, a company dedicated to the development of health and fitness products and experiences to help individuals adopt healthier lifestyles, recently announced the FitForGood initiative, a step challenge encouraging Fitbit fans to get fit for a good cause ā€” with their steps translating into funding for three national non-profit organizations:…