April 6, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD ‘Adequate and Rapid Delivery’ of Ocrevus Expected, Says Genentech Director in Interview Ocrevus (ocrelizumab),Ā now approved for both relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), is expected to become available in the coming week. While patients and neurologists are waiting, Multiple Sclerosis News Today spoke to Genentech about the treatment’s approval, future research plans, and what patients can expect in terms…
March 29, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Excitement to Cautious Optimism ā Reactions to Approval of Ocrevus TheĀ historic approval of Ocrevus (ocrelizumab), the first-ever treatment for primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), set off ripples in the relatively calm waters of MS news reporting. The drug, which was also approved Tuesday as an unusually effective and safe treatment for relapsing MS, is viewed as a game-changer…
March 24, 2017 News by Larry Luxner National MS Society Urges Lawmakers to Oppose American Health Care Act, Details Why in Interview Carol Hardaway was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1990. After years of enduring relapses that brought episodes of complete blindness, numbness, tingling, debilitating fatigue, and short-term memory loss, the longtime resident of Texas ā a state which offers Medicaid only to specific categories like low-income families, pregnant women, and…
March 24, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD National MS Society-Sponsored Group Creates Tool Set to Measure Outcomes in MS Clinical Trials Four newly published articles, the focused work of a group of researchers, evaluate the validity of four outcome measures commonly used in clinical trials of multiple sclerosis (MS) to set standards for such measures, the National MS Society recently reported. The effort by the Society-sponsored MS Outcome Assessments Consortium…
March 8, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Walk MS 2017 Events Expected to Bring Total Fundraising for Multiple Sclerosis Past $1 Billion This year’s annualĀ Walk MS event will bring cumulative fundraising for multiple sclerosis (MS) and the National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ (NMSS) since 1988 to more thanĀ $1 billion, say organizers. āWalk MS is a joyous gathering with a wonderful ‘we’re in this together’ feeling,ā NMSS President and CEO Cyndi ZagieboyloĀ said…
December 22, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD 21st Century Cures Act Expected to Bring Real Change to MS Patientsā Lives President Obama’s signing of the 21st Century Cures Act on Dec. 13 is expected to bring real change to those living with multiple sclerosis (MS). The legislation will lead to better research and clinical trials. It also puts increased weight on the role patients play in developing treatments for their…
September 29, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD National MS Society Calls on Leaders to Lower Prices and Improve Access to MS Medications The National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ has launched an initiative, calledĀ Make MS Medications Accessible, calling for change inĀ the pricing of multiple sclerosis (MS) medications in the U.S., which the group said need to be more affordable, and ways of acquiring them more simple and transparent. The initiative asksĀ leaders ofĀ all…
September 6, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Parents of Youngsters with MS Voice Needs and Frustrations in Study A study exploring the difficulties parents experience when their childĀ develops multiple sclerosis (MS) foundĀ that more support and education ā from healthcare and school staff, as well as by parents themselves ā is key to easing the burden of a child or teenager with this disease. The study, āParentsā…
August 23, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Video Series Helps to Guide MS Patients in US with Legal and Planning Issues A new video series for multiple sclerosis patients in the U.S. looks to help them better understand the complex legal and planning issues they face. The series, put together by theĀ National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)Ā andĀ Stetson University College of Law,Ā in consultation withĀ theĀ National Multiple Sclerosis Society, is…
June 28, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Local MS Society to Honor Colorado State University at 2016 Dinner of Champions The president of Colorado State University (CSU), Tony Frank, will be acceptingĀ the Norman Cohn Hope AwardĀ on behalf of his university, recognizing its work in advancing research into multiple sclerosisĀ and helping people with the disease. The ceremony will take place at the Annual MS Society Dinner of Champions,Ā set forĀ Sept.
June 21, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD National MS Society Using Record $3M Gift to Expand Services and Outreach Programs The National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ announced that it has received the largestĀ gift ever given the organization by an individual ā a $3 million, multiyear donation to establish and fund theĀ Edward M. Dowd Personal Advocate Program, which aimsĀ to improve and expand personalized case management and care for people with…
May 12, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD National MS Society Honors LyondellBasell with ‘Circle of Distinction Award’ for Raising $1.4M LyondellBasell, an established nameĀ in the plastics, chemical and refining industry, has been honored withĀ theĀ Circle of Distinction Award from theĀ National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ for raising $1.4 million to benefitĀ the society and the multiple sclerosis (MS) community. Since 1998, the company has participated in the MS Society’s annual fundraiser in…
April 28, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Multiple Sclerosis Consortium Sets Up MS Clinical Trial Database of Patient Records for Research Use The Multiple Sclerosis Outcome Assessments Consortium (MSOAC) is making available to qualified researchers a new database containing almost 2,500 records ofĀ patients who were part of theĀ placebo groups of nine multiple sclerosis (MS) studies. The MSOAC is a large-scale partnership, launched by the National MS Society and Critical…
April 20, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD National MS Society Welcomes Mud-Loving Runners to Tramp Through Its 5K ‘MuckFest MS’ Fundraiser The National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ and Event360Ā announced the openingĀ of the 2016 season of MuckFest MS, a 5K “mud run” and fundraiserĀ withĀ over 20 obstacles along its course to challenge and entertain people of all athletic levels. This year’s run will take place in 11 cities across the U.S., including a…
April 8, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD National MS Society Invests $25.3M to Support 60 New Research Projects, Train Clinicians TheĀ National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ announced that it has investedĀ $25.3 million to support nearly 60 new research projects aiming to better understand and treatĀ multiple sclerosis (MS), and seven clinical training awards as part of its strategic approach to eventuallyĀ curingĀ MS. This investment is part of the Society’s plan to commit a…
March 29, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD National MS Society Welcomes Novartis as Premier Sponsor, for 5th Year, of Walk MS The National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ is welcomingĀ Novartis Pharmaceuticals, for a fifth consecutive year,Ā as a leading national sponsor of Walk MS, its annual fundraising and awareness-raising event. This year’s walks will also again feature the musician and multiple sclerosis (MS) ambassador David Osmond leading the society’s as part…
March 11, 2016 News by Margarida Azevedo, MSc MS Society Honors MS Awareness Week with New ‘Together We Are Stronger’ Campaign The National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ launched a new awareness campaign for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week, which runs through March 13,Ā featuring the stories of people impacted by MS and a website with tips for overcoming daily disease challenges. The campaign,Ā āTogether We Are Stronger,ā also recognizes the progress made in MS research…
March 4, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD National MS Society Names Childrenās Health of North Texas a Comprehensive MS Care Center Childrenās HealthĀ of North TexasĀ has been designatedĀ Ā a Center for Comprehensive MS CareĀ by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, making it the only pediatric healthcare system in the northern part of the state with such a recognition. The Comprehensive MS Care designation acknowledgesĀ an institutionĀ that delivers quality, full patient care in a…
March 3, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Kessler Researcher Awarded $408,000 by MS Society to Study Ways of Easing Fatigue Ekaterina Dobryakova, PhD, was recently awarded a three-year grant worth $408,000 by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to study fatigue-influencing factors among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Dr. Dobryakova is a researcher in Traumatic Brain Injury Research at theĀ Kessler Foundation, where she focuses on cognitive issues in…
February 24, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD MS Society Funds Research Using Zebrafish to Observe CD46 Protein and Its Role in Brain Inflammation In an innovative research project funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Dr. Anne Astier from the University of Edinburgh, U.K., and her team will use zebrafish to track theĀ CD46Ā protein and determine where and how it affects the movement ofĀ immune cellsĀ into the brain, a process believed to influence…
February 16, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD MS Trial to Improve Physical Activity, Lower Fatigue via Telehealth Is Enrolling Participants A new Ā multiple sclerosis (MS)Ā clinical trial being led byĀ Case Western Reserve UniversityĀ investigatorsĀ is now recruiting 215 individuals, across 10 U.S.Ā states to assess whether the fatigue management and physical activity interventions often provided by rehabilitation centers can effectivelyĀ be offered byĀ telehealth, throughĀ a series of teleconferences and phone interviews. AnĀ National MS…
January 26, 2016 News by Patricia Silva, PhD National MS Society Awards Grant to London Researchers The National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ in the U.S. has awarded a new grant to aĀ University College London (UCL) Ā research teamĀ to continue work intoĀ compounds with the potential to act asĀ neuroprotective therapies for degenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS). The financial support comes through the Society’s business-oriented subsidiary, theĀ Fast ForwardĀ venture.
November 2, 2015 News by Patricia Silva, PhD OCT Collaborators Win 2015 Barancik Prize for Innovation in MS Research A collective team of physician-researchers comprising Dr. Peter Calabresi from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Dr. Laura Balcer from NYU Langone Medical Center, and Dr. Elliot Frohman from University of Texas Southwestern School of Medicine areĀ the winners of the 2015 Barancik Prize for Innovation…
August 13, 2015 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Chicago Local Erica Montelo Named MuckFest MS’ 100,000th Participant Every year, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society hosts MuckFest MS, a fun mud and obstacle 5K event that raises funds for the society’s mission to support the ongoing search for better treatments and solutions for multiple sclerosis. Earlier this week, the Society gave recognition to the event’s 100,000 “mucker” or…
July 2, 2015 News by Patricia Silva, PhD National MS Society Awards WSU Professor With Grant to Develop New MS Research Model Alexander Gow, Ph.D., a professor at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, has just been awarded a research grant by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to fund his exploration of a novel model of MS pathology. Gow is a holder of theĀ Charles H. Gershenson Distinguished Fellow Professor…