June 12, 2024 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Cognitive rehab tied to MRI changes in cognition-linked brain regions A three month cognitive rehabilitation program, with or without aerobic exercise, increased tissue volume and activity in brain regions linked to cognition among people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), clinical trial data suggests. The MRI findings offer potential biological explanations about why cognitive rehabilitation leads to cognitive…
June 11, 2024 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Updated guidance eases Mavenclad MRI requirements in England England’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has updated its guidance on the use of Mavenclad (cladribine) in people with aggressive relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in ways that should help eligible patients be able to access the medication sooner. The new guidelines have less stringent…
June 10, 2024 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD Headaches and MS linked, and therapies may affect them: Study A large proportion of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience headaches as a result of their condition, and treatment with interferon-based therapies seems to increase the risk of worsening headaches or developing new ones, a study found. In contrast, the CD20 antibody rituximab that’s used off-label in MS…
June 7, 2024 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Large US trial to test online programs for treating MS fatigue A large clinical trial to test online programs for treating fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) will launch in the U.S. in the coming months. The study ā the largest of its kind ā will be funded by a nearly $4.5-million grant from the U.S. Department of…
June 6, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS EBV dormant in MS reactivates with disease activity, study finds Dormant Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) becomes activated during periods of disease relapse in multiple sclerosis (MS) and triggers inflammatory activity in multiple types of immune cells, a study suggested. Blocking EBV activation can reduce the inflammatory activity of immune cells, supporting the idea that targeting the dormant virus may…
June 5, 2024 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Studies to test Briumvi in pregnant, breastfeeding MS patients TG TherapeuticsĀ is conducting two post-marketing studies to determine how safe Briumvi (ublituximab-xiiy) is among people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as well as their babies. The goal is to generate data on the use of Briumvi during pregnancy and lactation…
June 4, 2024 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Resistance training exercises may benefit middle-aged MS patients Resistance training by middle-aged people with multiple sclerosis (MS) was linked with significant improvements in muscle strength in a recent meta-analysis of previous clinical trial data. The analysis indicated the benefits of such training, which is designed to boost strength and endurance, were more variable in fatigue and quality…
June 3, 2024 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD MS Australia report highlights need for faster diagnosis of MS MS Australia released a report highlighting the critical need for faster multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnoses. While diagnostic delays have shortened in recent years, MS patients still wait an average of almost four years from the onset of first symptoms to a formal diagnosis, the organization said in…
May 31, 2024 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Cionic’s Neural Sleeve counters foot drop in small MS study The Neural Sleeve developed by Cionic significantly reduced foot drop, which is a difficulty lifting the foot that often causes people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to drag their toes when they walk. The lightweight bionic garment is cleared in the U.S. to improve mobility in MS. In…
May 30, 2024 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD Helius showcases PoNS device at CMSC meeting in Nashville Helius Medical Technologies said it has a booth at a meeting for multiple sclerosis (MS) professionals to showcase its PoNS device and the progress made over the last year in providing access to the neuromodulation device, which is designed to improve walking ability in people with MS.
May 29, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Scientists propose step-by-step approach for MS exercise research Understanding how exercise benefits people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is the aim of a trio of U.S. scientists who has published a new framework to help guide research into the subject. “Our objective is guiding the field toward evidence that facilitates the prescription and promotion of [exercise training] as…
May 28, 2024 News by Mary Chapman Spotlight is on diagnosis May 30th for this year’s World MS Day The focus is on diagnosis for this year’s World MS Day, officially “a day of global solidarity, collective action, and hope” for the multiple sclerosis (MS) community, according to a campaign webpage boasting information in more than 100 languages. While the event officially occurs on May 30,…
May 24, 2024 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD Progentos receives $65M to develop myelin regeneration therapies Progentos Therapeutics said it received $65 million in funding to support the development of myelin regeneration medications able to restore function in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other diseases marked by myelin loss. The biotech company said it will use the funds to advance its MS program…
May 23, 2024 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Virtual reality therapy for cognition, mood needs more study: Review Rehabilitation approaches involving virtual reality (VR) may have beneficial effects on cognitive function and anxiety in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), but more research is needed to better understand its effects, according to a recent meta-analysis of 10 clinical trials. Small gains in certain aspects of cognition, including immediate…
May 22, 2024 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD Whole grain food diet may reduce risk of pediatric-onset MS: Study A higher intake of whole grain food is significantly associated with a lower likelihood of developing pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study led by researchers in Canada. Conversely, an overall more pro-inflammatory diet ā one containing higher amounts of fats and proteins ā was linked to increased…
May 21, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Discovery may ultimately help to repair myelin in brain: Mouse study Scientists in Iran have discovered a new way to convert astrocytes ā star-shaped brain cells that support nerve function ā into oligodendrocytes, the cells that make and repair myelin in the brain. When the converted cells were transplanted into the brains of mice with myelin damage like that seen in…
May 20, 2024 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD CSF biomarkers at time of diagnosis may aid in MS prognosis: Study Certain biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ā the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord ā around the time of a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis may help predict the time to reaching certain disability milestones among people with a relapsing-remitting (RRMS) disease course, according to findings from…
May 17, 2024 News by Mary Chapman Homebuilder donates $10,000 to MS Canada awareness fundraiser HomebuilderĀ Jayman Built is donatingĀ $10,000 to MS Canada ahead of the nonprofitās annual MS Walk fundraiser to raise awareness of the disease, thanks to a successful social media campaign. The contribution adds to the nearly $1.5 million the Alberta, Canada, company has provided to the organization over the…
May 16, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS AI tool detects sex differences in microscopic brain structures: Study Microscopic connections between brain cells vary based on biological sex, according to a new study that used machine learning to analyze MRI data from hundreds of healthy volunteers. Researchers said the findings may help explain why neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently vary according to sex. “Our…
May 15, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Cionic rolling out software update for Neural Sleeve wearable device Cionic is rolling out an update for the software that powers its Neural Sleeve, a wearable device ā worn on the leg ā that’s designed to aid in mobility for people with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The new updates include a suite of functional exercises…
May 14, 2024 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Balance, cardio training project aims to improve walking ability in MS A Marquette University team is leading a new project that will combine balance and cardio training with the goal of improving the walking abilities of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Led by Marquette biomedical engineering professor Brian Schmit, PhD, the project ā which is supported by a $3.34 million…
May 13, 2024 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Altered immune B-cell metabolism drives inflammation in MS: Study An abnormally active metabolism in immune B-cells can trigger the release of pro-inflammatory signaling molecules that drive further inflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS), a study found. Selectively blocking certain metabolic processes with a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor normalized B-cell metabolism and shifted their signaling to an anti-inflammatory state.
May 10, 2024 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Use of mild-to-moderate DMTs predicts switching to other DMTs People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who start treatment with a mild-to-moderate efficacy disease-modifying therapy (DMT) were more likely to switch to another DMT, an analysis of the German MS Registry finds. Starting a DMT between 2014 and 2017 was also a predictor of switching. Disease activity despite treatment…
May 9, 2024 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Interferon beta corrects gene processing disrupted in MS: Study Alternative splicing, a biological process that allows a single gene to code for multiple proteins, is extensively disrupted in immune cells isolated from untreated multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and long-term treatment with interferon beta-based therapies largely corrects the defects, a study found. āAlternative splicing is a potential biomarker warning…
May 8, 2024 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Small molecule promotes myelin sheath repair in MS mice: Study A small molecule called ESI1 stimulated the repair of the myelin sheath, the fatty coating on nerve fibers that is damaged in multiple sclerosis (MS), a study found. In an MS mouse model, this resulted in improved motor function and nerve cell communication, as well as reduced signs…
May 7, 2024 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Wayne State professor wins grant to study oligodendrocytes in MS Alexander Gow, PhD, a professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, has been awarded a grant to study how stressed oligodendrocytes, the cells that produce myelin in the brain and spinal cord, could be at the origin of multiple sclerosis (MS). The three-year, $644,827 grant from…
May 6, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Nearly $650k awarded to advance potential remyelination drug IFB-048 The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has awarded Inflectis BioScience a grant valued at $649,601 to advance the preclinical development of IFB-048, the company’s experimental treatment to promote myelin repair in multiple sclerosis (MS). “This grant along with the support from the Society are a testimony…
May 3, 2024 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Charles River to help FibroBiologics produce 3D cell-based therapiesĀ Charles River Laboratories has joined up with FibroBiologics to manufacture the company’s spheroids for clinical trials in multiple sclerosis (MS) and several other conditions. The spheroids are groups of fibroblast cells arranged in a three-dimensional (3D) structure that more closely resemble how cells organize in living tissues.
May 2, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Immigrants to Canada see MS risk rising with time in country: Study Among immigrants to Canada, the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) is higher for those who have spent a greater portion of their life in Canada, a new study reports. The study, “Proportion of Life Spent in Canada and the Incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in Permanent Immigrants,”…
May 1, 2024 News by Mary Chapman MS Canada seeks nationwide participation in awareness month Canada has one of the world’s highest rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the world, and this month residents are being urged to come together to raise awareness of and funds for people affected by the neurodegenerative disorder. May is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in Canada, and…