MS News that Caught My Eye Last Week: Mayzent for SPMS Approved in EU, Memory Training, Trial of Music-based Product to Improve Walking

Mayzent Helps Regulate the Immune System in SPMS, Study Shows

Mayzent (siponimod) is one of several disease-modifying treatments that target specific T-cells and B-cells involved in damage to the myelin that protects our nerves. This study reports a significant reduction in these rogue cells within a year of starting Mayzent. That could explain its efficacy as a treatment for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Mayzent (siponimod), an approved oral therapy for active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), promotes a more regulatory immune system, which may explain its added benefits for SPMS, new clinical data show.

The study “Siponimod enriches regulatory T and B lymphocytes in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis” was published in the journal JCI Insight.

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Mayzent Approved in Europe as First Oral Treatment for Active Secondary Progressive MS

The headline speaks for itself. This approval follows the approval of Mayzent in the U.S. last year.

The European Commission has approved Novartis‘ Mayzent (siponimod) as the first oral treatment for adults with active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS).

Active SPMS is defined by the presence of evident relapses or the detection of inflammatory activity in brain lesions on imaging scans.

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Memory Training Could Make Brains of MS Patients More Efficient, Study Suggests

This training is designed to help cognitively impaired people learn new information. It uses visualization and storytelling strategies to improve memory and learning. Even though memory scores failed to increase following treatment, researchers believe this training has the potential to improve memory function in everyday life.

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who complete training through a method called the modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT) show a decrease in brain activity after training, which could indicate more efficient brain processing, a recent study shows.

The study, “Brain activation patterns associated with paragraph learning in persons with multiple sclerosis: The MEMREHAB trial,” was published in the International Journal of Psychophysiology.

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Clinical Trial of Rhythmic Sound in Walking Rehab for MS Planned, MedRhythms Says

This system uses sensors attached to a user’s footwear to monitor their gait. That information is used to activate algorithms that select prescreened music for its therapeutic potential that the user hears through earbuds. MedRhythms’ website says this intervention creates “a neurologic process in which the auditory and motor regions of the brain are coupled.” The company believes that over time, this mechanism can cause “neuroplastic changes that produce improved motor outcomes.” It will be interesting to see whether the music system can improve the walking abilities of those with MS.

MedRhythms is planning to soon open a pilot clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of its MR-004, its investigational product that uses rhythmic sounds to improve walking abilities in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), the company announced.

The randomized and controlled trial, fully supported by a grant from the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC), will be conducted at the Cleveland Clinic.

MedRhythms is a digital therapeutics company exploring the use of sensors, software, and music to aid in walking rehabilitation.

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