July 7, 2023 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD CPT code issued for MRI brain scan software by Icometrix Icometrix‘s quantification software for brain MRI scans has received a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) III code, a temporary code for emerging technologies that should facilitate reimbursement. CPT codes, issued by the American Medical Association, are designed to identify procedures and services in healthcare plans. They are used in the…
July 6, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Kesimpta reduces relapses, brain lesions for up to 5 years: Study Up to five years of treatment with Kesimpta (ofatumumab) continues to keep the number of relapses and brain lesions low in people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), with most patients showing no evidence of disease activity. These are new data from the ongoing ALITHIOS study…
July 6, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Myelin may promote nerve cell damage in early immune attacks Nerve cells coated with myelin ā the fatty substance that’s lost in multiple sclerosis (MS) ā may be more vulnerable to degeneration in an inflammatory environment than cells lacking myelin, researchers working in MS patient tissues and mouse models report. The scientists believe the phenomenon arises when certain…
July 5, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD AI algorithms may predict cognitive decline in MS over coming year Researchers have developed computer algorithms that may be able to predict certain aspects of cognitive change in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The prediction models, constructed using data from an electronic, self-administered test of information processing speed given MS patients, might accurately identify those likely to experience cognitive worsening over…
July 5, 2023 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD Neurologist Xavier Montalban wins 2023 Charcot Award for research The director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Catalonia (CEMCAT) has been recognized with the 2023 Charcot Award, a prestigious prize that honors researchers for their lifetime work toward understanding multiple sclerosis (MS). Xavier Montalban, MD, PhD, has contributed to several areas of MS research and clinical care…
July 3, 2023 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Potentially safer MRI gadolinium-based contrast agent to enter testing Gadoquatrane, a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) that may be safer than current agents for people undergoing MRI scans, has entered a Phase 3 clinical testing program. Quanti CNS (NCT05915702), one of the three global trials in Bayer‘s development program, will assess gadoquatrane against an…
July 3, 2023 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Cigarette smoking slows recovery after an MS relapse, study finds Cigarette smoking significantly slows recovery time from a relapse for people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), according to a pilot study in Iran. Similar links with relapse recovery were not seen for tobacco use with water pipes or exposure through second-hand smoke, also known as passive smoking. Findings add…
June 30, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Aubagio shifts immune cell balance in RRMS, study reveals Aubagio (teriflunomide), an approved therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), works by shifting the balance between activated subsets of nerve-damaging immune cells to those with immunosuppressive traits, a new study reveals. Further studies to understand how changes in immune cell subsets drive Aubagioās clinical effectiveness will…
June 30, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Newly discovered genetic variant tied to faster MS progression Researchers identified a genetic variant that associated with faster multiple sclerosis (MS) progression and greater brain tissue damage, according to a study that combined data on more than 12,500 patients in North America, Europe and Australia. Unlike previously detected MS-related variants linked to the immune system, this variant sits…
June 29, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Diet rich in plant products linked to fewer symptoms in MS Diet was found to significantly influence the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms among patients living in Denmark in a new real-world study. A diet rich in plant-based products was generally associated with a lower symptom burden than one high in red and processed meats. The same was true…
June 29, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Ocrevus keeps MS activity stable after stopping Tysabri: Study Switching from Tysabri (natalizumab) to Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) does not appear to increase disease activity in people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and stable disease, with most patients continuing to show no relapses or brain imaging findings one year after the transition, a clinical study shows.
June 28, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD New disability benefits in Canada may help MS, other patients The government of Canada soon will provide new income benefits designed to help Canadians living with a disability ā including people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Applauded by MS Canada, a nonprofit that actively advocated for these benefits, the announcement follows the passing of the Canada Disability Benefit Act,…
June 28, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Early use of high-efficacy DMTs may keep patients on therapy longer Starting treatment with a high-efficacy disease-modifying therapy (DMT), rather than one with lesser efficacy, may reduce the number of times people with multiple sclerosis (MS) switch therapies due to a lack of effectiveness, a study of survey responses from doctors suggests. High-efficacy DMTs often are perceived to have…
June 27, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Stem cell therapy highly effective in active RRMS: Real-world study Nearly 80% of adults with highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) were free of relapses or confirmed disability worsening two years after receiving stem cell transplant, according to a real-world study in Denmark. Moreover, more than two-thirds (69%) of these RRMS patients achieved a clinical outcome called NEDA-3, or…
June 27, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Review: Ocrevus best of 4 antibody therapies for progressive MS Among four antibody-based therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS), Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) works best to prevent disability progression and other measures of disease activity in people with PPMS, or primary progressive MS, a review study found. However, the medication is associated with an increased risk of infection, data suggested.
June 26, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD Education found to help with MS treatment adherence in Iran An educational intervention program was found to help improve treatment adherence among people with multiple sclerosis (MS) receiving injectable therapies in a clinical trial in Iran. The program was designed based on the theory of planned behavior ā a psychological premise that assumes people act rationally according to their…
June 26, 2023 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Stopping DMTs a ‘reasonable option’ for some older MS patients Older people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have not experienced disease activity for several years still will benefit from disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) to control the neurodegenerative disorder, a new study found. Data from a first trial assessing whether discontinuation of DMTs among these patients is at least as…
June 23, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Regular vaccinations for most MS patients recommended by experts People with multiple sclerosis (MS) should generally follow a regular vaccination schedule similar to their healthy peers, with certain adjustments made if they’re on particular disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), according to a group of experts in Europe who devised a set of more than 50 evidence-based guidelines for the…
June 23, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Imcyse joins EU project to develop tools to better track MS progression The biopharmaceutical company Imcyse has signed on to a new project that aims to use artificial intelligence (AI) to develop tools that can be used to better track the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). The project’s goal is to help guide treatment decisions for MS patients. Called Clinical…
June 22, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Pregnancy hormone estriol promotes myelin repair in MS mice Treatment with estriol, a hormone that’s produced during pregnancy, reduced disease severity and promoted myelin repair in the cortex ā a key brain region affected in multiple sclerosis (MS) ā in a mouse model of the disease. Those are the main findings of the study, āNeuroprotection in cerebral…
June 22, 2023 News by Margarida Maia, PhD For women with MS, finding coping strategies for sex is more satisfying The sexual satisfaction of women with multiple sclerosis (MS) improved when they actively sought out ways to deal with the practical challenges related to sexuality instead of just relying on managing their emotions, a study finds. It’s therefore important for women with MS to consider a problem-focused coping strategy…
June 21, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD GlobeStar, AIP team up to design clinical trials for Project Amethyst GlobeStar TherapeuticsĀ (GSTC) is teaming up with Advanced Innovative Partners (AIP) to design and implement clinical trials of Project Amethyst, an investigational therapy for multiple sclerosisĀ (MS) that aims to reduce neurodegeneration ā when nerve cells in the body lose function and ultimately die. The new memorandum of understanding (MOU)…
June 21, 2023 News by Marisa Wexler, MS PoNS device wins accreditation needed to be covered by Medicare The PoNS device ā officially the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator, designed to help improve walking ability in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) ā has been granted the accreditation needed for Medicare and Medicaid coverage in the U.S., according to Helius Medical Technologies, which makes the device. That designation, called…
June 20, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD T-cell changes reflect pregnancy’s protective effects in MS Changes in the gene activity within immune T-cells explain why women with multiple sclerosis (MS) improve during pregnancy, a study reports. Gene activity changes during and after pregnancy were highly similar between MS patients and healthy women. Many of the genes whose activity was altered during pregnancy were associated…
June 20, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Fatty acid-derived molecules tied to inflammation, disability in study Altered blood levels of certain fat molecules implicated in inflammatory responses seem to correlate with disability status and markers of nerve damage in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly in those with progressive forms of the disorder, a study reported. Findings highlight the potential role of these fat, or…
June 19, 2023 News by Andrea Lobo, PhD Potential blood biomarker of Gilenya response found in MS patients A microRNA called miR-548a-3p, a small molecule important for regulation of gene activity, may help to identify people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who will reach no evidence of disease activity ā a status known as NEDA-3 ā after treatment with Gilenya (fingolimod), a study found. Data showed that…
June 16, 2023 News by Steve Bryson, PhD MRI method detects myelin repair with over-the-counter antihistamine The over-the-counter antihistamine clemastine has demonstrated an ability to repair myelin, the protective coating on nerve fibers that’s damaged in multiple sclerosis (MS), according to an analysis of MRI data from the ReBUILD clinical trial. The changes in myelin were examined with a noninvasive MRI method that more…
June 16, 2023 News by Mary Chapman 10 MS nonprofits unite on shared research strategy to find cures To address knowledge gaps and avoid duplicate efforts in the lab and in trials, 10 multiple sclerosis (MS) organizations from around the world have committed to a single global research strategy to find a cure for the progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The nonprofits, with headquarters in countries ranging from the…
June 15, 2023 News by Patricia Inacio, PhD Levels of fat molecules in blood can affect relapses, disability in children Alterations in the levels of certain fat molecules in the bloodstream are significantly associated with a higher risk of relapse and a poorer disability status in children and adolescents with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a recent study. It’s not yet clear if such alterations contribute to the inflammation…
June 15, 2023 News by Mary Chapman ACROBiosystems joins Diagnostic Biochips for neuroscience research Aneuro, a brand of the biotechnology company ACROBiosystems, is partnering with the biosensor maker Diagnostic Biochips to help bring to market new approaches to treating disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Specifically, the companies are collaborating to launch electrophysiology solutions that can be used in living…