Research News
Juggling and brain plasticity
16 May 2012
Research suggests that juggling can help to expand the brain's white matter, which controls the ability to see and react to things. The ability of the brain to reroute nerve messages is called plasticity.
AAN research review
16 May 2012
The American National MS Society's review of the recent AAN (American Academy of Neurology) meeting, including studies of treatments in late-phase clinical trials, rehabilitation, understanding risk factors for MS and the interactions of genes, gender, and vitamin D levels.
Botox effective for bladder symptoms
15 May 2012
Publication of study into botulinum toxin for bladder problems in people with or with a spinal cord injury. Botox reduced incontinence incidents by 21-23 episodes in the treatment groups and time to need for retreatment was 254-256 days.
Cannabis for pain and spasticity
14 May 2012
A small study in California found smoked marijuana improved spasticity and pain in people with MS but also reduced thinking ability. The study was a crossover trial involving 30 people who smoked either marijuana or a placebo once a day for three days. After an eleven day gap, the groups swapped to the other treatment. Among limitations of this study was that it was difficult to blind participants to the active treatment and many had a history of marijuana use.
National MS Society (USA)
Newswise
Reuters
Vitamin D and disability in MS - AAN
14 May 2012
Researchers in Baltimore have shown that higher vitamin D levels are associated with slightly less disability and greater preservation of gray matter in people with MS. 469 people were monitored for five years. Presented at the AAN meeting in April.
Research into progressive MS
11 May 2012
Report of an international meeting on how research in this area can be speeded up though developing new or improved clinical measures of MS progression.
Betaferon after 21 years
10 May 2012
Follow up data on 372 people who took part in the original Betaferon trial showed that the risk of death (from any cause) was reduced by 46.8% compared to those on the placebo arm.
Sunshine and vitamin D: why cloudy skies are bad for our health
08 May 2012
Recent research has suggested that vitamin D is important to ensure general health, not just in preventing rickets. Evidence points to a role in preventing MS, but current government recommended daily intake is not thought to be adequate to provide this protection.
Lacosamide for trigeminal neuralgia - AAN
30 April 2012
In a small study of 11 people with trigeminal neuralgia (none of whom had MS), ten said that they had reduced pain when treated with lacosamide. All had previously tried other treatments.
MedPage Today (requires free registration)
More...Pregnancy and disease modifying drugs - AAN
29 April 2012
Two studies suggest that Tysabri, the beta interferon drugss and Copaxone are not associated with major problems if taken during pregnancy. Both studies warn that the numbers involved in the studies were small.
MedPage Today (requires free registration)
More...Effects of menopause on MS - AAN
27 April 2012
Menopause had little effect on measures of disability in women with MS, though self reported symptoms worsened more in women than in a control group of similarly aged men.
MedPage Today (requires free registration)
More...Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) and spasticity - AAN
26 April 2012
Interim results from a study by the manufacturer of glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) suggest that people switching from one of the beta interferon drugs experienced reductions in muscle stiffness and pain. Based on the first 52 people in a study that will recruit 110.
Development of MS over 20 years - AAN
26 April 2012
Study of the long-term development of MS in 722 people diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS. In the 10 years after diagnosis, 270 (37%) had developed secondary progressive MS. Of the people who still had relapsing remitting MS, 339 were followed to 20 years and 166 found to have developed to secondary progressive MS. After 20 years, 173 (24%) of the original group still had relapsing remitting MS. People in this group were more likely to be women diagnosed in their 20s with few, mainly sensory symptoms.
MedPage Today (requires free registration)
More...CCSVI - AAN
26 April 2012
Studies of people with MS and controls found that CCSVI as defined by Prof Zamboni's criteria was as prevalent in the non MS group as in the MS group.
MedPage Today (requires free registration)
More...Natalizumab (Tysabri) long-term study - AAN
26 April 2012
The TOP trial will follow 4500 people on Tysabri for ten years. Initial results from four years show relapse rates reduced from 1.99 at baseline to 0.28 and EDSS scores level. People who has previous immunosuppressant treatment did slightly better, but had higher risk of PML. Also mentions studies of the Stratify test for relative risk of PML and into the improvement in fatigue scores of people on Tysabri.
Fampridine long-term data - AAN
25 April 2012
Longer term safety and efficacy data presented. Responders continued to show improvements in walking speed for up to 5 years. Safety profile similar to during initial studies.
Stopping natalizumab (Tysabri) and relapse risk - AAN
25 April 2012
Small, short-term study. Nine people stopped Tysabri on learning that they were JCV positive. All went onto another drug, but five had a relapse within six months. Of these, four went back onto Tysabri but didn't do as well as before stopping treatment.
Glatiramer / interferon combination - AAN
25 April 2012
Results from the three year CombiRx trial, which involved 1,008 people, showed only small differences between the combined treatment as opposed to treatment with either drug alone.
Fingolimod (Gilenya) extension trial - AAN
24 April 2012
Seven year extension trial data shows people from the placebo arm who switched to fingolimod showed improvements in relapse rate, though people eon treatment throughout did best. Also mention of a new compound called BAF312 (siponimod) for which phase III trials are planned next year.
BG12 study - AAN
24 April 2012
CONFIRM study looked at two doses of BG12, Copaxone and placebo in 1,430 people. After two years, BG12 reduced relapse rate by 51% or 44% and Copaxone by 29%. Relapse free after two years (compared to placebo) 45% or 34% for BG12, 29% for Copaxone.
Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada) study - AAN
24 April 2012
CARE-MS II study involved 840 people with MS on either alemtuzumab or beta interferon 1a (Rebif). Relapse rate was reduced by 49%. After two years 65% of alemtuzumab and 47% of Rebif were relapse-free.
Omega 3 oil doesn't affect MS
16 April 2012
Norwegian research found no effect on progression. 92 people had either omega-3 supplements or placebo only for six months. After six months all participants also started on interferon beta. There was no difference in relapse rate and the proportion who had no progression was the same in both groups.
Daily Mail
Yahoo/Press Association
Medpage Today
ONO-4641 results presented - AAN
16 April 2012
Phase 2 study reported at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting. 407 people with relapsing remitting MS received one of three doses of ONO-4641 or placebo for 26 weeks. Results showed 77-92% fewer lesions. Side effects included slower heartbeat and blood pressure changes.
Hotter days affect mental tasks
12 April 2012
A recent study concludes that hot weather may also worsen the ability to perform mental tasks in some people with MS. The research may help people plan activities and may improve the design of future clinical trials.
Effect of fingolimod in different groups of people
10 April 2012
Analysis of previous results showed effects based on gender, age, disease activity etc. Generally similar results, though the reduction in relapse rate in people over 40 was much less than in younger people.
Research study - Sharing experiences: internet use and MS
27 March 2012
The University of Warwick Medical School is conducting research on how people affected by MS (both carers and patients) use the internet to share experiences.
Find out more about taking part in this study
More...CCSVI surgery
25 March 2012
Researchers at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 37th Annual Scientific Meeting have reported of trials of surgery to relieve symptoms of CCSVI.
In one study 192 people reposonded to a questionnaire after treatment. People with relapsing remitting and primary progressive MS reported about 75% and 70% improvements in physical and mental health wellbeing. People with secondary progressive MS did less well (50% and 59%). Another review of 95 people reported symptomatic improvement in 55%, with people closer to diagnosis doing better.
Medical News Today
Medical News Today
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The MSIF database is compiled by the Institute of Neurology, London
