July 25, 2023 News by Lindsey Shapiro, PhD Genetic risk found similar between RRMS, PPMS in Swedish study The risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) was similar between first- and second-degree family members of people with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS). The findings, which were consistent with previous studies suggesting that genetics and environment are relatively equal contributors to disease risk, also…
July 29, 2022 News by Marisa Wexler, MS No Link Between MS Severity, Vitamin D-related Mutations: Study A number of genetic variations related to vitamin D metabolism were not significantly associated with the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a recent study. The study, “Role of Multiple Vitamin D-Related Polymorphisms in Multiple Sclerosis Severity: Preliminary Findings,” was published inĀ Genes. In MS, the body’s immune…
February 2, 2022 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Combined Data May Predict Person’s Risk of Advancing From CIS to MS A novel algorithm that combines genetic, environmental, and clinical data could be useful for predicting whether people with a first onset ofĀ multiple sclerosis (MS)-like disease ā known as clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)Ā ā will experience relapses or a worsening of their disease over time. The…
November 2, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Never Drinking Alcohol Tied to ‘Significantly’ Higher MS Risk Not drinking alcohol significantly increases the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), especially if a person also is a current or former smoker, according to a new study. These findings add to the knowledge, discovered in multiple previous studies, that alcohol decreases the activity of the immune system. According…
August 23, 2021 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Variant in STK11 Gene Tied to Greater MS Risk for Black People in US A variation in a gene calledĀ STK11, previously shown to increase the risk for multiple sclerosis (MS) among Caucasians, is now also linked to a greater likelihood of MS in Black people. In fact, the variation was significantly more common in Black MS patients with secondary progressive MS (SPMS),…
March 4, 2021 News by Forest Ray PhD #ACTRIMS2021 – Benign Versus Aggressive MS ā the Hunt for Clues Editorās note: TheĀ Multiple Sclerosis News Today news team is providing in-depth and unparalleled coverage of the virtual ACTRIMS Forum 2021, Feb. 25ā27. GoĀ hereĀ to see the latest stories from the conference. While researchers make progress in pinpointing markers of disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS), identifying those that signal…
October 22, 2020 News by Marta Figueiredo, PhD Impact of Gut Microbiota in MS More Complex Than Thought, Study Shows The presence of a particular gut bacterium widely used in probiotics, called Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri), was sufficient to increase disease severity in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), but only in genetically susceptible animals, a recent study shows. These findings highlight the complex interactions between…
October 19, 2020 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Variation in Given Gene May Raise Depression Risk Among MS Patients A genetic variant may make depressionĀ more likely inĀ certain people with multiple sclerosis (MS) than others, a genome-wideĀ study in patients indicates. The study, “Depression in multiple sclerosis patients associated with risk variant near NEGR1,” was published inĀ Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. Depression is characterized by…
August 31, 2020 News by Steve Bryson, PhD Immune T-cells Trigger Early MS Inflammation, Twin Study RevealsĀ A comparison of immune cells isolated from identical twins ā in which only one of each pair was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) ā identified a population of immune-regulating T-cells present in those with asymptomatic brain inflammation, a study has found.Ā …
February 20, 2020 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc #ACTRIMS2020 ā Keynote SpeakerĀ Peter Calabresi to Discuss Link Between Genetics and MS Severity Specific mutations in genes that provide instructions to make two proteins ā Ā called C3 and C1q ā are linked to increased severity of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to new research. The new finding will be presented by Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineĀ researcher Peter Calabresi, MD, during…
January 30, 2020 News by Vanessa Pataia Epstein-Barr Virus and Certain Genes Interact in Ways That Can Promote MS, Study Finds Interaction between various Epstein-Barr virus traits and the composition of certain genes affects the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), a study reports. The study, āThe interaction of Multiple Sclerosis risk loci with Epstein-Barr virus phenotypes implicates the virus in pathogenesis,ā was published in the journal…
August 8, 2019 News by Jose Marques Lopes, PhD Specific Mutation and Amino Acid Change Linked to MS Risk in Study from Japan An amino acid change to phenylalanine, and a specific class I HLA gene variant are associated with greater risk forĀ multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study in Japanese patients. Researchers also identified an HLA variant, or mutation, associated with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), an autoimmune condition…
June 11, 2019 News by Marisa Wexler, MS Study Identifies Possible Genetic Causes of MS Scientists are zeroing in on mutations in a few genes that appear to be major risk factors for developing multiple sclerosis (MS). The results of their research suggest there are common biological pathways that cause the disease. The study, “Exome sequencing in multiple sclerosis families identifies 12…
June 6, 2019 News by Ana Pena PhD Vitamin D’s Role in MS Likely More Result of Environment Than Genes, Study Suggests A study found no genetic risk factors associated with vitamin DĀ in families with a history of multiple sclerosis (MS), suggesting that the link between vitamin D deficiency and MS risk is determined by environmental factors rather than a genetic predisposition. The study “Exonic variants of genes related…
April 17, 2019 News by Santiago Gisler First Large-scale Clinical Genomic Research Study Aims to Improve Personalized MS Treatment A collaboration between DNAnexus, the Sutter Health network, and the University Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) aims to improve personalized medicine inĀ multiple sclerosis (MS) through the first large-scale clinical genomic research study, the companies announced. The network has the goal of improving screening, diagnosis, and treatment of…
December 17, 2018 News by Joana Carvalho, PhD Each Major Risk Factor (Like Genes, Smoking and Obesity) Can Affect Disease Course, Study Finds Risk factors often associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), such as genetic background, obesity and smoking, contribute independently to the disease’s variability and may be an early influence on progression, a study reported. The retrospective study, “Multiple sclerosis risk factors contribute to onset heterogeneity,” was published in the journalĀ …
October 12, 2018 News by BioNews Staff #ECTRIMS2018 – From Sun to Salt: Growing Role of Environment in MS A person’s genes influence the development of multiple sclerosis (MS), but so does the environment ā both that in which an MS patient lives, and that which a patient creates through diet and other lifestyle choices, researchers said in a Thursday session at the 34th congress of the European…
September 28, 2018 News by Diogo Pinto New Assessment Tool Shows Effect of Social Networks on MS Patient Outcomes A person’s social network can have an effect on their functional disability. This is what researchers discovered when they applied an online assessment tool they developed to people at risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). The tool, developed by researchers fromĀ Brigham and Womenās Hospital, Broad InstituteĀ in Boston,…
October 25, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD #MSParis2017 – As MS Rises Worldwide, Differences Remain Evident Among Regions The numbers of people being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis is rising worldwide, though distinct differences in factors thought to drive this rise are evident among regions, according to MS data represented by researchers on patients inĀ Asia, Latin America, and the Australia-New Zealand. The data was part of theĀ session āPrevalence and…
September 8, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD US Hispanics Sought for Study of the Roles That Genetics and Culture Play in Severity of MS University of Southern California researchersĀ are recruiting 400 Hispanics who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosisĀ in the past two years for a study about genetics’ and cultural perceptions’ effect on the severity of the disease. More specifically, theĀ Keck School of MedicineĀ team will look at whether the stressful process of…
August 15, 2017 News by Kara Elam ACTRIMS 2018 Forum in San Diego to Showcase Latest Multiple Sclerosis Research The Americas Committee for the Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, otherwise known as ACTRIMS, says its third annual ACTRIMS Forum will take place Feb. 1-3, 2018, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront in San Diego, California. These forums bolster the ACTRIMS mission, which is to foster the careers of young researchers interested in MS by promoting mentor relationships with senior scientists, and giving promising investigators a chance to present their early research findings. ACTRIMS 2017 was a record-breaking year with over 800 people attending. Organizers say 1,000 people will attend this year's conference. The 2018 forum's theme is āTherapeutic Targets in MS: The Frontier and the Future of Disease Modifying Therapy.ā ACTRIMS 2018 also features continuing medical education credits for attendees, as well as participation grants for applicable young investigators.
May 19, 2017 News by Charles Moore Pilot Study of myMS App, Created to Aid Patients and Research, Starting in US A clinical trial of a smartphone app that helps multiple sclerosis (MS) understand and manageĀ their disease ā and to aid and speed research āĀ is nowĀ recruiting peopleĀ nationwide. Claimed to be the first of its kind, the app, called myMS, is designed to give MS patients quick and easyĀ access toĀ pertinentĀ information, fromĀ clinical evaluations…
February 20, 2017 News by Charles Moore #ACTRIMS2017 – Forum for MS Research and Treatment Opens Feb. 23 in Orlando The second annual Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS), aĀ forumĀ for clinicians, researchers and other MS specialists to network and discussĀ theĀ Ā latest advances in MS research and treatment is set forĀ Feb. 23ā25. This year’s meeting takes placeĀ at theĀ Omni ChampionsGateĀ resort hotel in Orlando, Florida.Ā Multiple Sclerosis News…
August 8, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD ACTRIMS Forum 2017 with Latest MS Research Set for February in Orlando The Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple SclerosisĀ (ACTRIMS) recently announced that its second annual ACTRIMS Forum will be at the Omni ChampionsGate Feb. 23-25, 2017, in Orlando, Florida. ACTRIMS Forum 2017 promises to be of value to physicians, scientists, researchers, analysts, faculty, and allied health…