February 16, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Online therapy platform found to boost mental health of patients COMPASS, a digital tool that provides support for managing the daily challenges of living with a long-term health condition such as multiple sclerosis (MS), significantly reduces psychological distress and improves mental health in these patients, data from a randomized clinical trial show. The intervention consists of multiple online modules…
February 16, 2024 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Larger trials needed to evaluate intermittent fasting for MS: Review An intermittent fasting (IF) diet may lead to immune and metabolic alterations that ease multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms and improve quality of life, a recent review of published studies suggests. While evidence from these few small clinical trials indicates an IF diet…
February 15, 2024 News by Steve Bryson, PhD MS trial to test magnetic brain stimulation for overactive bladder A small clinical trial in Texas is testing whether a noninvasive magnetic brain stimulation procedure can ease the symptoms of overactive bladder in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). The randomized Phase 2 study (NCT06072703) is ongoing at Houston Methodist Hospital, and is recruiting about 29 women with stable…
February 15, 2024 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD Sudo raises $30M more to advance TYK2 inhibitor therapies to trials Sudo Biosciences has secured an additional $30 million in funding to support the development of two TYK2 inhibitor therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological and skin conditions ā and now is aiming to launch clinical trials later this year. With a second close of its Series…
February 14, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Researchers call for more pragmatic clinical trials in MS Few multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical trials have used a so-called pragmatic design, which evaluates the effectiveness of interventions in real-life routine practice, a study has found. Because such trials are better able to emulate conditions in real-world clinical practice and provide solid and more actionable evidence to inform treatment…
February 14, 2024 News by Mary Chapman Aptar to operate, develop Biogen’s lifestyle support apps for MS Under a new agreement, Biogen is transferring ownership of certain digital health solutions ā including two existing mobile applications, or apps, offering lifestyle support to people with multiple sclerosis (MS) ā to Aptar Digital Health. The collaboration calls for Aptar, part of AptarGroup, to handle product design…
February 13, 2024 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Nitric oxide metabolites in blood could aid diagnosis of MS: Study Measuring levels of nitric oxide metabolites in the blood could be a diagnostic biomarker for multiple sclerosis (MS), recent research suggests. The molecules, collectively called NOx, were elevated in the blood of people with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and primary-progressive MS…
February 13, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Computational model captures multiple sclerosis, genes to organism An international team of scientists has created a computational model that seeks to give a picture of multiple sclerosis (MS) at multiple biological scales, from tiny molecules to whole cells to organs and its effects on the body overall. āIn this study we have…
February 12, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Immune cells in MS may enter brain via newly found ‘sewer system’ In neurological inflammatory conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS), inflammatory immune cells may enter the brain through arachnoid cuff exit (ACE) points ā newly discovered structures that normally seem to serve as a type of sewer system in the brain, helping to move out waste. Figuring out exactly how immune…
February 12, 2024 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD Sharp lymphocyte drop seen quickly in SPMS patients on Mayzent Some people with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) using Mayzent (siponimod) show a severe drop in their number of lymphocytes, a condition known as lymphopenia, shortly after starting treatment, a report on its real-world use in the U.K. found. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that help the immune…
February 9, 2024 News by Mary Chapman Helius to showcase PoNS device at physical therapy meeting Feb. 15-17 Helius Medical Technologies will be showcasing its now-accredited PoNS device ā designed to improve walking ability in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) ā at this year’s American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Sections Meeting (CMS), slated for Feb. 15-17. The annual meeting, which will feature educational sessions, exhibits,…
February 9, 2024 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Crocin supplement seen to reduce signs of inflammation in MS Taking a two-month supplement of crocin, an antioxidant found in the cooking spice saffron, helped to reduce signs of inflammation in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who took part in a small study in Iran. However, crocin had no effect on symptoms of depression or anxiety compared with a…
February 8, 2024 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Non-invasive MEG scan can predict cognitive therapy outcomes in MS A non-invasive scan that measures network activity across the brain was able to predict the outcomes of behavioral therapies designed to improve cognitive function in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a study demonstrates. Brain network function, as assessed by the test, called magnetoencephalography (MEG), “could play an important role…
February 8, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Non-opioid compound has potential to ease chronic nerve pain Scientists at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) have developed a novel non-opioid compound, called FEM-1689, that is able to reduce pain related to nerve damage in animal models. Neuropathic pain, or pain caused by damage to nerves, is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS)…
February 7, 2024 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Pelvic floor exercises can help make sex more enjoyable, study finds Pelvic floor exercises, which strengthen the muscles around the bladder, bowel, and vagina, can help with sexual health and lessen sex-related distress in women with multiple sclerosis (MS), a small study found. Women reported increased sexual desire, arousal, and better overall satisfaction after engaging in a 12-week training program,…
February 7, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS New MRI technique allows for more precise imaging of myelin sheath Scientists have developed a technique to more precisely map the myelin sheath, the fatty covering around nerve fibers that is damaged in multiple sclerosis (MS), in people undergoing an imaging scan. While further work is needed, its use “produced promising initial results,” the scientists wrote, noting that this…
February 6, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Real-world data can be used to compare efficacy of MS treatments Real-world data collected from a registry can be used to reliably compare the effectiveness of different multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments, so long as appropriate methodologies are employed to account for the messiness ā what researchers call confounding bias ā of real-world data, according to a new study. While registries…
February 6, 2024 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Fatigue predicts worse health-related quality of life in RRMS Fatigue is a significant predictor of worse health-related quality of life in adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), a study reports. High levels of fatigue were significantlyĀ linked with worse physical and mental health, including cognitive impairments, depression, and anxiety. The findings suggest…
February 5, 2024 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD Zeposia treatment during early pregnancy may be safe in MS: Study Treatment with Zeposia (ozanimod) during early pregnancy may be safe for women with multiple sclerosis (MS), or inflammatory bowel diseases,Ā a recent study suggests. Specifically, receiving the treatment during the first trimester of pregnancy didn’t increase the incidence of fetal malformations or…
February 5, 2024 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD High-intensity interval training of similar benefit to moderate exercise High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and a longer but more moderate exercise regimen seem to be of similar benefit to multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in terms of fatigue, body composition, and most cognitive and cardiovascular fitness domains, according to a recent meta-analysis. In a limited number of studies, HIIT did…
February 2, 2024 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Tysabri biosimilar Tyruko now available in Germany for RRMS TyrukoĀ (natalizumab), the first biosimilar ofĀ Tysabri,Ā is now available in Germany forĀ adults with highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). As a biosimilar, Tyruko has the same safety and efficacy profile, mechanism of action, and pharmacological properties as Tysabri. Biosimilars are typically sold at lower prices than their reference medication,…
February 2, 2024 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Barancik Prize for Innovation in MS Research goes to UCSF scientist Sergio E. Baranzini, PhD, a scientist at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), is this year’s winner of the Barancik Prize for Innovation in MS Research, awarded by theĀ National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) for his groundbreaking discoveries in multiple sclerosis (MS). His efforts have helped…
February 1, 2024 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Ibudilast slows growth of chronic brain lesions tied to worsening MS Use of oral ibudilast ā being explored as a treatment for progressive forms ofĀ multiple sclerosis (MS) ā was found to significantly slow the growth of chronic active lesions in the brains of patients with the neurodegenerative disease, according to MRI data from the SPRINT-MS study. Such lesions…
February 1, 2024 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Florida’s Team Rocco hopes to raise $100K in Walk MS on Feb. 25 Rocco Mangel, the founding partner of Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, is joining the Walk MS: West Palm Beach 2024, in Florida, to raise funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). Walk MS events, taking place in numerous locations in the U.S., focus on raising disease…
January 31, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS University-educated MS patients are more likely to get DMT: Study People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who received a university-level education are more likely to be on disease-modifying treatment (DMT) in regions with a publicly funded healthcare system, a U.K.-based study suggests. Advanced education was also linked to treatment starting faster and high-efficacy…
January 31, 2024 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Myelin repair early in MS may protect against disability worsening People in the early stages of multiple sclerosis (MS) who have more spontaneous myelin repair in the cortex ā the outermost layer of the brain that’s critical for higher cognitive abilities ā are less likely to experience worsening disability, a new analysis suggests. These findings have important implications for…
January 30, 2024 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD MS treatment Ponvory wins patent protection in US, to run until 2042 The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has notified Vanda Pharmaceuticals that it will grant a new patent covering the use of Ponvory (ponesimod), an approved oral treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), that will span nearly two decades, the company announced. The upcoming patent specifically…
January 30, 2024 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Cell-based therapy can be produced in under 3 days from blood sample Kyverna Therapeutics has developed a method that enables KYV-101, an experimental CAR T-cell therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) and other conditions, to be produced in a much shorter timeframe than conventional manufacturing processes, a study shows. The approach took less than three…
January 29, 2024 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Access to MS care poorer for rural regions, select patient groups in US Geographical proximity to neurologists and multiple sclerosis (MS) speciality care centers is lower for people living in rural regions of the U.S. relative to metropolitan areas, according to recent research. Areas with higher proportions of Hispanic individuals, uninsured people, and those with disabilities generally also were more likely to…
January 29, 2024 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD Gender, age at PPMS onset has no impact on disability progression Gender and age at the onset of disease don’t seem to have a clinically relevant impact on disability progression in people with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), according to a recent study in Argentina. Disease progression, based on the Expanded Disability Status…