COVID-19

Walk MS Fundraising Events To Be ‘Virtual Experience’ in 2021

Due to the ongoing COVID-19-associated restrictions, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is inviting supporters of its Walk MS events to connect, celebrate, and fundraise for the fight against multiple sclerosisĀ (MS)Ā through a virtual platform. ā€œThe National MS Society creates Walk MS celebrations in every state so participants can…

At-home Brain Stimulation Program Now Available

New York University (NYU) Langone Health has launched an at-home, therapeutic program of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) ā€” a type of non-invasive brain stimulation ā€” to reduce cognitive, motor, speech, or mood symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other brain disorders. A first of its kind, the…

When in Doubt, Make a Mixtape

Spring is here, a time weā€™d normally be out and about getting some sun and recharging our souls after a long winter. I certainly look forward to working in the yard, hiking, having outdoor picnics, and taking the occasional road trip. But this isnā€™t a typical year, is…

What Do the Oscars and Our COVID-19 Response Have in Common?

What could the Academy Awards and COVID-19 possibly have in common for people with disabilities? Stay tuned, and I’ll tell you. First, the Academy Awards. The documentary “Crip Camp,” about a summer camp for young adults with disabilities, was up for an Oscar. Its co-director and co-star, Jim LeBrecht,…

MS Run the US 3,260-mile Relay Keeps Going Despite Pandemic

The pandemic notwithstanding, MS Run the US has fielded 18 runners ā€” including eight with multiple sclerosis (MS) ā€” to traverse the United States to raise awareness and funds to support MS research and to aid those living with disability caused by the neurodegenerative disease. The organizationā€™s Ultra…

Certain Factors Worsen Outcomes in MS Patients With COVID-19

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have more extensive mobility issues are more likely to have worse outcomes from COVID-19, a new study indicates. The study findings also indicate that COVID-19-associated outcomes are worse among MS patients who are Black, older, have heart-related diseases, and who were treated with…

The MS Immune System: Suppressed, Compromised, or What?

Lately, I’ve seen a lot of incorrect information on social media about how multiple sclerosis affects our immune system. Some of it seems to be prompted by concerns that MS makes someone more susceptible to COVID-19, or confusion about whether people with MS can safely receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Here…

Survey: COVID-19 Concerns Affected MS Management

Concerns about COVID-19 caused people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to postpone or deviate from recommended care ā€” including appointments, imaging scans, and laboratory tests, a survey found. But notably, while most patients perceived their disease-modifying therapies as an added risk factor…

Britain Leads the World in Two Types of Jabbing

I was 6 years old when British boxer Henry Cooper knocked Cassius Clay on his bottom. (It was that long ago, folks ā€” 1963. This was before Clay’s religious conversion and consequent name change to Muhammad Ali.) Unfortunately, Clay was literally saved by the bell. I remember dashing around…

The First COVID-19 Shot Is Finally in My Arm

It’s a good thing my wife, Laura, is persistent. Thanks to her tenacity, we’ve both been able to get our first shots of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. According to the pharmacist who gave us our shots, in two weeks we should be about 60% protected from the SARS-CoV-2 virus…

National MS Society Urges DMT Dosing Changes for COVID-19 Vaccinations

To potentially increase the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is recommending dosing adaptations for some disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Based on expert consensus and available data, the guidance is particularly relevant for MS patients considering initiating or already being…

Telemedicine Found Effective During Italy’s COVID-19 Lockdown

Telemedicine is a feasible and effective method of remote care for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, an Italian study suggests. The study, ā€œTelemedicine during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic: A Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Outpatients Service Perspective,ā€ was published in the journal Neurology International. The…