August 24, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Using highly effective DMTs early linked to fewer relapses in children Children and adolescents with multiple sclerosis (MS) who receive high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) early on are significantly less likely to experience a relapse than those given a less efficacious drug, a real-world study found. While most patients on moderate-efficacy therapies eventually switched to a more effective one, a…
August 23, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Brain stimulation may offer promise for spasticity in MS: Study Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) may offer promise for treating spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS), but more work is needed to identify the best approach to use for patients, according to a new review study. The studies under review generally indicated that a type of brain stimulation called repetitive…
August 23, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Disability, older age at start of DMT linked to worse cognition in RMMS Older age and greater physical disability when starting a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) were linked to worse cognitive function for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients, but cognition remained relatively stable over the next several years, according to a Swedish study. Due to the high rates of DMT switches and…
August 22, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Study shows mechanisms that help immune cells get into brain in MS Researchers have shed new light on the molecular mechanisms that help immune cells get into the brain to drive inflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS). Two proteins called MMP-9 and MMP-2 were found to break down some components of the barrier that keeps immune cells out of the brain, helping…
August 22, 2023 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Progressive MS trial of vidofludimus calciumĀ fully enrolled A global Phase 2 clinical trial investigating theĀ oral therapy vidofludimus calcium (IMU-838) in people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) has reached full enrollment, the treatment’s developer, Immunic Therapeutics, reports. Called CALLIPER (NCT05054140), the trial is assessing whether the neuroprotective effects of vidofludimus calciumĀ seen in…
August 21, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD GFAP protein levels in blood fail to predict disease progression in RRMS Levels of GFAP protein in the blood ā a marker of damage to support cells in the brain ā were associated with the enlargement of brain lesions and of fluid-filled brain cavities called ventricles in people with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) undergoing Tysabri (natalizumab) treatment, a study showed. While…
August 21, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD EMBOLD data covering over 90 MS patients now due in November Atara Biotherapeutics now is planning to announce in November the one-year data from its EMBOLD Phase 1/2 study, which is testing the company’s experimental treatment ATA188 for progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The results, originally expected in October, will cover the trial’s primary endpoint of…
August 18, 2023 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Disability leads to great costs for patients, society: Real-world data Disability progression in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) significantly reduces their quality of life, affects their ability to work, and represents a major socioeconomic cost, according to real-world data collected from a German MS registry. These results suggest that the use of disease-modifying therapies to slow MS progression…
August 18, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Early treatment after first MS-like attack reduces long-term risk People who experience a first attack of multiple sclerosis (MS)-like disease are less likely to experience long-term disability progression if they start Ā treatment within the first few months, a new study reports. “When it comes to MS treatment, the earlier the better,” Alvaro Cobo-Calvo, MD, PhD, co-author of the…
August 17, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Pilates with relaxation improves walking, self-awareness in MS Pilates exercise with a relaxation technique improved walking abilities and self-awareness among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a small study. The study, “Impact of Pilates suspension with self-awareness on gait and metacognition in multiple sclerosis: Randomized, single-blinded and parallel-group trial,” was published in…
August 17, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Benefits of intranasal Nogo-A antibody observed in mouse model Delivering an antibody against the Nogo-A protein to a specific region of the nose called the olfactory mucosa improved motor function and preserved myelin in the spinal cord of a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a recent study. This intranasal mode of delivery enabled significant concentrations…
August 16, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Engineered probiotic found to ease symptoms in mouse model of MS A lab-engineered probiotic, composed of live bacteria that colonize the gut, was able to ease signs of disease in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to recent research. After discovering that a metabolite called lactate could activate immune signaling pathways that help to curb autoimmunity, scientists specifically…
August 16, 2023 News by Mary Chapman 15th annual ‘Burgers to Beat MS’ set for Aug. 17 in Canada By ordering a Teen Burger from an A&W in Canada tomorrow, customers can support MS Canada and people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the country with one of the highest rates of the chronic neurodegenerative disease in the world. As part of the 15th annual “Burgers to…
August 15, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Diet shows no association with relapses, disability progression A higher quality diet is associated with reductions in certain types of brain lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS), but no link was seen between a good diet and the risk of MS relapses or disability progression, a new study from Australia indicates. The study, “Higher…
August 15, 2023 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD DMT use does not seem to affect sleep quality, daytime sleepiness The use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) does not seem to affect sleep quality or daytime sleepiness in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), an Australian study finds. However, patients with a belief that DMT use impacted their sleep tended to have poorer sleep quality and report that the medication…
August 14, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Walking loss more rapid among marginalized MS patients in US People with multiple sclerosis (MS) with a rapid decline in walking abilities were more likely to be older when first examined, female, or Black, according to a large data study in the U.S. Other factors associated with worsening walking impairment over time included living with MS longer, having progressive…
August 14, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Immune cells in skull’s bone marrow appear to have unique profile Immune cells in the skull’s bone marrow show distinct molecular profiles from those of other bones throughout the body, and they may provide critical clues into how immune cells drive inflammation in neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis (MS) a study reports. “These findings carry profound implications, suggesting a far…
August 11, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Biomarker found for potential new disorder that’s been labeled as MS An antibody biomarker may help to distinguish people with a disease that resembles multiple sclerosis (MS), but may actually be its own clinical disorder, according to a new study. The biomarker was present in about 1% of MS patients and in 6% of those with a related demyelinating condition…
August 11, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD New EBV-targeted vaccine induces durable immune response in mice Researchers have developed a vaccine against the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) ā a leading environmental risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS) ā that induced durable immune responses in mice. If it’s moved to the clinic, the vaccine could help prevent infections that drive MS and certain cancers, according to…
August 10, 2023 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD Neuro Night event to raise funds for neurological care, research Neuro Night, a philanthropic event set for October in Scottsdale, Arizona, is raising funds for the Barrow Neurological Institute and its mission of supporting the lifesaving care, medical education, and research for neurological diseases. The star-studded night of music, dancing, and fundraising, hosted by the Barrow Neurological Foundation,…
August 10, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Physical activity may reduce fatigue in people with RRMS: Trial More daily physical activity, better physical condition, and lower disability were all associated with less fatigue for people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), according to a clinical trial in Finland. āThe findings are interesting and support previous studies very well,” Marko Luostarinen, a doctoral researcher at the University of…
August 9, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Ibudilast treatment found to protect tissue integrity in brain in MS Treatment with ibudilast ā an anti-inflammatory being developed to treat people with progressive forms ofĀ multiple sclerosis (MS) ā significantly preserved tissue integrity in a brain region called the thalamus in patients in a clinical trial, according to new analyses from SPRINT-MS. While the therapy appeared to exert these…
August 9, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS New PET imaging approach captures inflammation before lesions evident A new imaging technique was able to detect inflammation in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS) before disease symptoms appeared, and to monitor the animals’ responses to treatment, a study reports. “With this new non-invasive imaging approach, we can detect toxic inflammation that could help us better understand…
August 8, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD FDA decision on GA Depot for relapsing MS expected March 2024 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to review Viatris and Mapi Pharma‘s application seeking approval of GA Depot for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The medication is a long-acting formulation of glatiramer acetate, the active ingredient in the approved…
August 8, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Cognitive health likely to affect person’s sense of sexual satisfaction Estimates of the prevalence of sexual dysfunction with multiple sclerosis (MS), as well of its risk factors, differ depending on the specific cutoffs used to assess sexual health on a standardized test, a study highlights. Regardless of the cutoff given, however, findings suggest that patients with poorer cognition tend…
August 7, 2023 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD Mavenclad lowers relapse rates, helps RRMS patients reach NEDA-3 Treatment with Mavenclad (cladribine), an approved short-course oral therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), significantly reduced patients’ relapse rates and the development of new lesions while keeping disability stable over two years, according to a real-world study in Kuwait. Among patients who completed the two courses…
August 7, 2023 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Cow milk proteins likely trigger of broader immune response with MS A significantly higher immune response against proteins found in cow milk is evident in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), likely because of similarities between milk proteins and proteins in the human central nervous system (CNS, the brain and spinal cord), a study reported. No such differences were seen between…
August 4, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD US neurologists satisfied with current RRMS therapies: Report Neurologists in the U.S. are largely satisfied with current treatment options for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), but opportunities remain for therapies in development, according to a new report by Spherix Global Insights. In the report series, called RealTime Dynamix: Multiple Sclerosis (U.S.), an ongoing survey of healthcare…
August 4, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Vitamin D supplement reduces progressive MS disease in rats Vitamin D reduced the signs of inflammation and nerve damage in a rat model of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), a study shows. Low levels of the vitamin have been extensively linked with a higher risk of developing relapsing forms of the disease, but studies of vitamin D supplementation in…
August 3, 2023 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD New deal grants Neuraxpharm rights to market Briumvi in Europe The specialty pharmaceutical company Neuraxpharm will be responsible for marketing the multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy Briumvi (ublituximab) in regions outside the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and certain Asian countries as part of a new collaboration with TG Therapeutics worth $140 million in upfront payments alone. Neuraxpharm is…