November 21, 2023 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD InSilicoTrials wins award for its AI efforts in treatment development InSilicoTrials (IST) has received this year’s Innovation Radar Prize for its efforts to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to advance clinical trials and predictive technologies that may benefit people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other diseases. Launched in 2015 by the European Commission, the award recognizes European Union (EU)-funded…
November 20, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD iConquerMS expands research efforts to focus on MS caregivers iConquerMS, a research initiative where people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) contribute their health data and ideas, is expanding its research program to include caregivers of people with MS. Established in 2014 by the Accelerated Cure Project (ACP), iConquerMS has launched a new website and research…
November 20, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS HHV-6A herpes virus tied to more nerve damage before onset of MS Infection with a herpes virus known as HHV-6A is associated with significantly higher levels of the nerve damage biomarker neurofilament light chain (NfL) in the years leading up to multiple sclerosis (MS), a study suggests. “In blood samples from individuals who later developed MS, we could see that antibodies…
November 17, 2023 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD Supplementation with coconut oil, green tea may help reduce triglycerides Supplementation with coconut oil and the green tea component epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) significantly reduces the levels of fatty molecules called triglycerides in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a pilot study from Spain. This reduction may complement improvements in functional capacity that have been reported previously following…
November 17, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD COVID-19 not linked to increased MS relapse rate: Meta-analysis COVID-19 doesn’t appear to increase the likelihood of a relapse, where new symptoms suddenly appear or existing ones worsen, for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a meta-analysis of more than a dozen studies. The findings alleviate some of the concerns MS patients may have about developing COVID-19,…
November 16, 2023 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD Probiotic eased pain and fatigue in RRMS, trial data show A commercial probiotic supplement containing the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii significantly eased pain and fatigue, and improved mental health and quality of life, in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), according to data from a clinical trial in Iran. The probiotic, BioDigest, also reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, a form…
November 16, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Blood test for antibody clumps may support MS diagnosis Measuring the amount of specific antibody clumps in the blood helped distinguish people with multiple sclerosis (MS) from healthy individuals and people with other conditions with an accuracy of at least 90%, a new study has found. The findings show that clumps of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies ā which…
November 15, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Noninvasive brain stimulation may help with walking ability: Analysis A noninvasive brain stimulation technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can significantly improve walking abilities in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a pooled analysis of published studies. The technique was effective when applied to the main brain region called the primary motor cortex, which is involved…
November 15, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD EBV vaccine expected to be cost-effective in preventing MS: Study Using a vaccine against the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) to prevent the development ofĀ multiple sclerosis (MS) is highly likely to be cost-effective, especially when given in early adolescence, according to an Australian modeling study. āThe evidence from this study highlights the urgent need for the development of an EBV…
November 14, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Less restrictive low-fat diet seen to lessen fatigue in MS: Pilot study Adhering to a low-fat diet for three months was found to significantly ease fatigue among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to data from a pilot clinical trial. The diet, which restricted total fat intake to less than 20% of calories per day, had a good adherence. Unlike other…
November 14, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Study ties central neuropathic pain to more severe emotional burden Central neuropathic pain ā the kind resulting from damage to the brain and spinal cord ā appears to be more severe and widespread and to cause more emotional burden in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) than pain in muscles and joints, according to a recent study. Regardless of pain…
November 13, 2023 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD FDA names Elecsys NfL blood test for MS a breakthrough device A test called Elecsys NfLĀ ā developed by Roche to measure blood levels of the nerve damage biomarker neurofilament light chain (NfL) in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) ā has received breakthrough device designation in the U.S. That status, granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),…
November 13, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD ChariotMS trial of Mavenclad in UK enrolls 100 progressive MS patients ChariotMS, the world’s first clinical trial to test whether Mavenclad (cladribine) can slow the worsening of upper limb function in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), has now enrolled 100 participants. The announcement means the Phase 2 trial (NCT04695080) has reached 50% of its target recruitment goal.
November 10, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS CSF protein levels at diagnosis may help predict MS long-term outcomes Levels of proteins in the liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), can help predict disease activity and disability worsening for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a study reports. “We identified several promising protein biomarkers which could be used to predict short-term activity…
November 10, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS ATA188 fails to outperform placebo in EMBOLD clinical trial ATA188, an experimental cell therapy targeting the Epstein-Barr virus, failed to outperform a placebo at easing disability levels in people with nonactive progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to data from the Phase 2 portion of the EMBOLD clinical trial. The medication also showed no signs of…
November 9, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Swank and Wahls diets seen to improve RRMS hand, arm dexterity The Swank and Wahls diets ā two dietary strategies often adopted by people with multiple sclerosis (MS) ā were similarly effective at easing functional disability after six months among people with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), according to data from a small clinical trial. These functional gains were mostly driven…
November 9, 2023 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD First healthy volunteers dosed in Phase 1 trial of LPX-TI641 A Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating LPX-TI641, Lapix Therapeutics‘ experimental therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune diseases, has dosed its first participants. The first-in-human trial (NCT05853835) of healthy adult volunteers follows the recent clearance of an investigational new drug application by the U.S. Food…
November 8, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Online brain training games improved cognition in small MS trial The use of a computer-based program called BrainHQ led to significantly improved scores on cognitive tests among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to data from a small clinical trial in Nebraska. The study was led by Samantha Jack, PhD, as part of work she did as a…
November 8, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS High blood NfL levels predict greater MS disability in year or two: Study Elevated blood levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL), an established biomarker of nerve damage, are associated with a higher risk of near-term disability worsening in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a large study. Findings imply that there’s usually a window of time ā about a year or…
November 7, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD High DMT adherence lowers risk of moderate or severe relapse by 25% A high level of adherence to disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) is associated with a significant, 25% lower risk of moderate or severe relapses in previously untreated people with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared with those failing to adhere to therapy, according to a study of real-world data in Italy. High…
November 7, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Blocking NLRP3 inflammasome eases MS severity in mouse model Blocking the activity of a protein complex called the NLRP3 inflammasome lessened disease severity in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), a study reports. Results point to NLRP3 as a promising target to ease inflammation in people with MS, but additional studies will be needed to determine the…
November 6, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD US patent likely for vidofludimus calcium at relapsing MS trial dose Immunic Therapeutics has been notified of the intent to grant a U.S. patent covering the use vidofludimus calcium (IMU-838) in treating relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS)Ā at a daily dose of about 10 to 45 mg. That range covers the two IMU-838 doses shown to be…
November 6, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD GlobeStar adds another partner for Project Amethyst clinical trial Advanced Innovative Partners (AIP) has agreed to assist GlobeStar Therapeutics Corporation and SMI Healthcare in designing and running clinical trials to evaluate Project Amethyst, a patented triple combination of U.S.-approved medications aiming to prevent neurodegeneration due to multiple sclerosis (MS). This definitive agreement follows a…
November 3, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS AI tool has potential to better track MS lesions over time: Study An artificial intelligence (AI) program, called iQ-MS, outperforms traditional radiologist-based measures at quantifying changes in lesions over time in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study shows. “iQ-MS is a sensitive and accurate tool for monitoring MRI scans in people with MS by providing quantitative metrics that value-add…
November 3, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Study: Some types of MS pain make exercise more difficult Chronic pain can make it harder for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to be physically active, but some types of pain have a bigger effect than others, a study suggests. The findings show not just whether a patient is having chronic pain needs to be considered, but also what…
November 2, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Stem cell transplant outperforms Lemtrada in MS treatment: Study A stem cell transplant was found to be better than Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) for lowering disease activity and slowing disability worsening in people with highly active relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), a small study in Lithuania showed. While both treatments were similarly effective in the first couple of…
November 2, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Circadian rhythm of certain stem cells may offer treatment approach Targeting genes that control the daily activity cycle of cells that are responsible for repairing myelin in the brain and spinal cord may be a useful strategy for treating multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study shows. Findings also point to a potential link between myelin disorders such as MS…
November 1, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS African American MS patients have high B-cell levels in CSF, study says People with multiple sclerosis (MS) of African descent had higher levels of inflammatory B-cells in the fluid around the brain and spinal cord compared with white MS patients in a small U.S. study. These findings may help to explain why Black people with MS tend to experience a faster…
November 1, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Immune cell, fat metabolism changes may help explain MS progression More activity among certain immune cells, as well as differences in immune signaling molecules, iron regulation, and fat metabolism, may explain why multiple sclerosis (MS) progresses more over time in some people than in others, researchers report. These findings may help to better understand the molecular mechanisms leading to…
October 31, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Gut bacteria can differ among MS patients by genetic disease risk People with a higher genetic risk for multiple sclerosis (MS) were seen to have detectable differences in their gut bacteria in a small study. “There seems to be an association between genetic risk score and [changes in gut bacteria] in triggering the disease in a small cohort of MS…