Columns The MS Wire - A Column by Ed Tobias MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: Epstein-Barr and Smoking, Infections, Oral DMT Trial, Exercise and the Brain MS News That Caught My Eye Last Week: Epstein-Barr and Smoking, Infections, Oral DMT Trial, Exercise and the Brain by Ed Tobias | August 10, 2020 Share this article: Share article via email Copy article link Smoking and Epstein-Barr Virus Combine to Raise MS Risk, Study Says A number of studies over several years have demonstrated a likely link between the Epstein-Barr virus and MS. Of course, there’s no question about the health risks of smoking. Put the two together, and it looks like double trouble. Cigarette smoking and an EpsteināBarr virus infection together represent a significant risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS), suggesting that at least one path to this disease involves two factors working synergistically, a study reports. The study, āSmoking and EpsteināBarr virus infection in multiple sclerosis development,ā was published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports. Click here to read the full story. *** MS Patients Show Greater Risk of Infections Before and After Diagnosis, Study Finds Last week, I highlighted a report recommending that urinary tract symptoms should be assessed during routine MS exams. Here’s another report supporting that suggestion. Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients have a greater risk of infections, particularly urinary and kidney infections, around the time of their diagnosis, compared with individuals without MS, a large Swedish population-based study found. Rates of serious and non-serious infections, as well as infections caused by bacteria, virus, and fungus, also were higher in these patients, researchers reported. The study, āInfections in patients with multiple sclerosis: A national cohort study in Sweden,ā was published in the journalĀ Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. Click here to read the full story. *** Oral RRMS Therapy Safely Lowers Active Lesions in Phase 2 Trial, Data Show This once-a-day pill blocks an enzyme, thereby reducing the activity of B- and T-cells. Those are immune cells that drive the inflammation that damages the central nervous system in people with MS. These trial results report one of the outcomes is a reduction in active brain lesions. A Phase 3 trial is being prepared. Immunic Therapeutics’ IMU-838, a selective immune system modulator, can safely lower the number of brain lesions in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosisĀ (RRMS), top-line Phase 2 clinical trial data suggest. Findings show the trial met its primary goal with statistical significance ā a reduction inĀ active lesions (gadolinium positive)Ā on imaging scans, the company reported. It is also reported to have met key secondary goals. Click here to read the full story. *** Regular Exercise Helps Preserve Key Brain Areas, Study Finds It doesn’t matter if it’s riding an exercise bike, working with a weight machine, swimming, or pool-walking. If I exercise a couple times a week, even if it’s only for a half-hour, I feel better physically and mentally. This study encourages me to continue. People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who exercise regularly are able to maintain volume in the hippocampus, a brain regionĀ responsible for learning and memory, a study reports. This work āadds to the growing body of evidence that exercise has many benefits for people with MS,ā the National MS Society states in a press release. Click here to read the full story. *** Ā Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis. Print This Page About the Author Ed Tobias People say to write what you know and Ed Tobias knows about MS. He's lived with the illness since 1980, when he was 32 years old. Ed's a retired, award-winning broadcast journalist and his column combines his four decades of MS experiences with news and comments about the latest in the MS community. In addition to writing his column, Ed is one of the patient moderators on the MS News Today Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram sites. Heās also the author of āThe Multiple Sclerosis Toolbox: Hints and Tips for Living with M.S.ā Ed and his wife split their time between the Washington, D.C. suburbs and Floridaās Gulf Coast, trying to follow the sun. Tags brain lesions, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), IMU-838, infections, RRMS, smoking Comments Leave a comment Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published. Your Name Your Email Your Comment Post Comment
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