The signaling molecule interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is involved in inflammation, is associated with increasing frailty in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study from researchers in China reported. Elevated levels of IL-6 significantly correlated with higher scores on a frailty index that measures health deficits across multiple domains,…
Treatment with masitinib, an experimental therapy being developed by AB Science for progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), reduced markers of nerve damage and inflammation and slowed disease progression in a mouse model of MS. “This study is the first to demonstrate that masitinib can lower serum NfL…
I had a visit with a local cardiologist recently. Since my 2017 retirement from the Army, I’ve had most of my medical care at the Department of Veterans Affairs and haven’t been to this particular practice for about eight years. Fortunately, the people there still remembered me. Unfortunately, the provider…
Three months of daily supplements containing ellagic acid — an antioxidant found naturally in many fruits and plants — significantly reduced disability levels and eased fatigue, depression, and anxiety in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a small clinical study from Iran. Indeed, the researchers noted a “statistically…
Non-pharmacological interventions such as mindfulness and exercise may improve sleep for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) while boosting overall psychological well-being and quality of life, according to a meta-analysis of several studies. While the studies were very different from each other, making it difficult to draw reliable conclusions, the…
On May 10, surrounded by my loved ones, I received my Master of Arts in educational psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. As I heard the words of love and encouragement from my family and friends, I realized just how difficult my educational journey has been because of…
The use of high-efficacy disease modifying therapies (DMTs) among relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients may aid their capacity to work on the economy — and put them at a lower risk of needing protected employment programs — than those on moderate-efficacy DMTs, according to a new study from Denmark.
United Healthcare will reimburse the cost of the PoNS device, which uses electrical stimulation to improve walking, for its insured members with multiple sclerosis (MS). The reimbursement covers $18,100 for the device and its controller, including patient copayment. This represents the device’s approximate list price adjusted for…
As multiple sclerosis (MS) progresses, the disease may reduce the number of mitochondrial DNA copies, suggesting the number of copies could serve as a biomarker for disease progression and response to treatment. That’s according to a genetic study involving data from thousands of patients of European ancestry. Mitochondria are…
Quantum Biopharma intends to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this year for permission to start a Phase 2 clinical trial testing Lucid-21-302, its novel therapy for promoting myelin repair, in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The company announced that it has completed dosing in a…
The balance issues associated with my multiple sclerosis (MS) are clearly visible to others. However, one of my more problematic MS symptoms is largely invisible, especially since I’ve developed strategies to minimize its effect on my functioning. This symptom is cognitive impairment, often referred to as “cognitive fog” or…
Elevated levels of two bacterial strains from the Lachnospiraceae family in the gut may be a key risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study. The study, “Multiple sclerosis and gut microbiota: Lachnospiraceae from the ileum of MS twins trigger MS-like disease in germfree…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new generic form of glatiramer acetate injection, a treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) that was originally approved under the brand name Copaxone. The generic was developed by Zydus Lifesciences in collaboration with Chemi S.p.A.,…
In people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), levels of B-cells can help to predict the risk of progression independent of relapse activity, a new study reports. “Our results unveil a discernible relationship between the degree of B-cell depletion and disease progression in…
Worsening disability in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with a significantly greater likelihood of losing bone mineral density, which can lead to fractures, a study suggested. “This study provides first evidence for the association of disability worsening and bone density reduction in [people with MS] over a…
To say that I was the last person on Earth to get a smartphone would be a gross exaggeration. I was a little slow to adopt the technology back when it was new, but now, my phone seems to be my constant companion. It’s a little hard to think of…
Injections of methotrexate into the spinal canal given every three months were safe and well tolerated, and helped adults with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) maintain stable disease levels for up to nine years. That’s according to data from a small, open-label Phase 1 clinical study (NCT02644044)…
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who experience progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) tend to have greater damage to major white matter tracts, or bundles of nerve fibers that connect different regions of the brain, a new study reports. The findings offer some insights into the biological processes that…
A 12-week program based on the Wim Hof method (WHM) — which combines cold exposure, breathing exercises, and mindfulness — was found to significantly ease cognitive fatigue, anxiety, and depression, as well as certain cognitive difficulties, in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in a pilot clinical study. According to…
Foralumab was well tolerated in people with nonactive secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), according to data from a small, open-label study conducted under an expanded access program. The therapy, being developed by Tiziana Life Sciences, also eased fatigue and lessened disability in some participants. The promising findings formed…
Rest isn’t optional in this house. It’s practically an Olympic event! And I live with five feline competitors. They’re furry, opinionated, and deeply committed to the art of doing nothing, whether it’s melting into a patch of sunlight, sprawling across my keyboard, or staging a nightly takeover of the recliner.
Certain lesions in the spinal cords of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) show damage to nerve fibers despite having normal myelin, according to a study done on postmortem samples using powerful MRI scans paired with detailed tissue analyses. The identification of these lesions “provides a novel opportunity to detect…
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is investing more than $18 million in new grants and fellowships to support multiple sclerosis (MS) research aligned with its Pathways to Cures initiative, which seeks to stop MS progression, restore lost function, and prevent the disease. This latest round of funding…
May marks Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in Canada, and people across the country can take part in advocacy and fundraising activities to support the multiple sclerosis (MS) community. MS Canada‘s nationwide campaign urges people to participate in MS walks, parlay a hobby or passion into a fundraiser, share…
Wider rims of immune cells surrounding multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions in the brain and spinal cord are associated with faster disease progression, a new study shows. Monitoring this type of lesion may help track MS disease progression and measure how the disease is responding to treatment, and the…
Last week, something unexpected happened during one of my shared medical visits with patients. I wasn’t expecting shame to show up. We were deep in conversation about how a diagnosis can unravel a person’s identity and how grief often follows when our sense of self begins to slip away.
Vidofludimus calcium, an experimental oral therapy from Immunic Therapeutics, reduced the risk of confirmed disability worsening and slowed brain shrinkage in people with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). That’s according to top-line data from CALLIPER (NCT05054140), a Phase 2 clinical trial testing a daily dose of…
The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) will host its 11th annual Improving Lives Benefit on May 14 to bring together members of the multiple sclerosis (MS) community, celebrate achievements, and raise support for the organization’s free programs and services. The fundraising event will take place at…
Even though I was too young to see the first three “Star Wars” films in theaters, I’ve watched them many, many times over the years. I don’t know if it’s the same everywhere, but here in the U.S., their enormous impact on pop culture is undeniable. Nearly everyone you meet…
Octave Bioscience’s Multiple Sclerosis Disease Activity (MSDA) test, which uses data from blood biomarkers to assess multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity, is now available across all 50 U.S. states to help guide clinicians’ decisions about care. Octave said the test received certification from the New York State Clinical…
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