How to Stay Informed About Multiple Sclerosis

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their families need to keep up with the latest information on MS symptoms, treatments and advice on how to cope with their condition. This information is consistently updated, but you can stay informed about these issues regarding multiple sclerosis, and many other MS topics, with these four reputable sources.

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More Patients With Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Are Disease-Free With Natalizumab:

More Patients With Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Are Disease-Free With Natalizumab: Presented at WCTRMS
By Danny Kucharsky

MONTREAL -- September 21, 2008 -- Natalizumab significantly increases the proportion of disease-free patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) compared with placebo over 2 years, according to study results presented here at the World Congress on Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (WCTRMS).

The study, led by Eva Havrdova, MD, General Teaching Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic, evaluated the effects of natalizumab on the proportion of MS patients who were disease free as measured by clinical and magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI) outcomes in the phase 3 Natalizumab Safety and Efficacy in Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (AFFIRM) study.

The study randomised 627 patients to receive intravenous natalizumab 300 mg and 315 patients to placebo once every 4 weeks for up to 116 weeks.

The post hoc analyses, presented on September 18 by Dr. Havrdova and colleagues, found the proportion of disease-free patients was significantly higher in the natalizumab group compared with the placebo group.

Criteria for clinical disease-free status were no relapse and no disability progression for 12 weeks, free of MRI disease activity, no gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) lesions, and no new or enlarging T2-hyperintense lesions.

Based on clinical outcomes, 70.6% of natalizumab patients had no relapse over 2 years compared with 43.3% of the placebo group. Progression-free status was achieved in 83.6% of natalizumab and 71.7% of placebo patients, and 64.3% of natalizumab and 38.9% of placebo patients were clinically disease-free (P < .0001, for all outcomes).

Natalizumab monotherapy significantly increased the proportion of patients with no Gd+ lesions (94.9% natalizumab vs 56.6% placebo), the proportion with no new or enlarging T2 lesions (58.3% vs 14.9%), and the proportion of patients with no MRI lesion activity (57.7% vs 14.2%) over 2 years compared with placebo (P < .0001, for all outcomes).

The proportion of patients who were free of clinical and MRI disease activity was significantly greater with natalizumab than placebo over 2 years (36.7% vs 7.2%, P < .0001).

Dr. Havrdova said the disease-free concept has not been well considered by the MS community, but should be discussed "because this goal is potentially within reach as more effective therapies are introduced."

Funding for this study was provided by Biogen Idec, Inc. and Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

[Presentation title: Natalizumab Increases the Proportion of Disease-Free Patients in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis. Abstract P62]

http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852571020057CCF6852574CB007AFCDE

Eye Test Peers Into Heat Related MS Symptoms

Eye Test Peers Into Heat-related Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

ScienceDaily (Mar. 23, 2008) — A bodysuit that heats or cools a patient, combined with painless measurements of eye movements, is providing multiple sclerosis researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center with a new tool to study the mysterious link between body temperature and severity of MS symptoms.

Study – MS Brain Atrophy

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) develop irreversible CNS tissue injury, the end result of which is brain and spinal-cord atrophy. Atrophy was thought to occur late in the course of MS because, despite periodic relapses, patients function normally for years after symptomatic onset of MS.

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Yoga And MS

Interesting article on a study of individuals who have MS practicing yoga .

Toni

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Yoga Study for Multiple Sclerosis
February 1st, 2008

The purpose of the workshop was to investigate yoga’s effect on the functional abilities of an MS patient to maintain an active and fulfilling life.

Scientists Find Genes To Predict Who Is Likely To Get MS

We are aware of the fact that genes play a major role in MS but this article talks about knowing who may be suseptible to getting MS.

Toni

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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Linked to Genes

Scientists have recently pinpointed genes that can predict who is more likely to get Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease, meaning the body attacks itself, and to date it affects approximately 400,000 Americans.

Incredible News Video - Stem Cells Fight MS

Just click on the link. The clip is about 12 minutes long but very interesting.

Toni
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http://www.cbc.ca/national/blog/video/healtheducation/ms_therapies_1.html

New Machine May Help MS Patients With Mobility

This link shows a video of the man on the machine, an article, and information about a study that is looking for participants.

Toni

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New Machine May Help MS Patients With Mobility

One of the biggest effects a multiple sclerosis patient faces is loss of mobility. The machine that has helped him is called the Lokomat.

Incontinence Study Seeks Participants

A medical research study is now underway to determine if an investigational medication is safe and effective for reducing the frequency of urinary incontinent episodes in individuals with MS or spinal cord injury (SCI).

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