MS research update - 16 October 2009
- MS has no impact on general decline in brain function seen in ageing
- Copaxone delays conversion from CIS to clinically definite MS
- Excessive grip force may contribute to fatigue and musculoskeletal problems in MS
- Perceived lack of control affects general outlook on life in people with MS
MS has no impact on general decline in brain function seen in ageing
Cognitive ageing refers to the general decline in mental agility that is thought to occur as a natural part of the ageing process. The decline in information processing, or thinking that is seen in the general ageing population is similar to the cognitive decline that is sometimes seen in people with MS. The present study sought to investigate the combined impact of MS related cognitive dysfunction and general cognitive ageing. A group of people with MS and a group of healthy individuals representative of an age range between 18 and 74 partook in a series of thought processing speed assessments. The age-related declines in performance were the same for the both groups suggesting that MS has no impact on the general decline in mental agility that is seen in ageing.
Boding AM, Denney DR, Lynch SG.
Cognitive ageing in patients with multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional analysis of speed processing.
Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology 2009; Oct 9 [Epub ahead of print].
Medline abstract
Copaxone delays conversion from CIS to clinically definite MS
Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is an individual's first neurologic episode lasting at least 24 hours. It is caused by inflammation or damage to the covering of nerves in one or more sites in the central nervous system (CNS). Not everyone who experiences CIS will go on to develop MS and for some there may be no further symptoms. Current evidence supports early treatment of clinically isolated syndrome with disease modifying drugs to delay progression to MS in people at high risk. In this study, 481 people presenting with CIS, were randomly assigned to one of two groups; to receive either daily injections of Copaxone (generic name glatiramer actetate) or daily injections of a placebo for up to three years. Neither group knew whether they were receiving placebo or Copaxone. The two groups were monitored for the occurrence of a second attack confirming a definite diagnosis of MS. The results of the study indicate that over a period of three years, the group receiving Copaxone were 45% less likely to convert from CIS to a clinically definite diagnosis of MS.
Comi G, Martinelli V, Rodegher M, et al.
Effect of glatiramer acetate on conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (PreCISe study): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Lancet 2009; Oct 6 [Epub ahead of print].
Medline abstract
Excessive grip force may contribute to fatigue and musculoskeletal problems in MS
The degree of pressure that ought to be applied in gripping objects such as cups and cutlery and other objects associated with everyday activities should be judged intuitively. However, the present study investigated how people with MS control the force of their grip in performing everyday functional tasks such as lifting and placing an object onto a shelf, and lifting and bringing an object close to the mouth, compared with healthy individuals. The study investigators measured the pressure applied, the speed of movement and the time lag between the start and finish of the task. Interestingly, the people with MS applied significantly greater force in gripping than the healthy individuals. The study authors conclude that the excessive force of grip that is seen in people with MS could contribute to fatigue and the musculoskeletal problems that are commonly reported by people with MS.
Iyengar V, Santos MJ, Ko M, et al.
Excessive grip force may contribute to fatigue and musculoskeletal problems in MS
Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair 2009; 23 (8):855-861.
View abstract
Perceived lack of control affects general outlook on life in people with MS
MS is a variable and hugely unpredictable condition. It is no surprise then that many people with MS often feel that they do not have control over the condition. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was any link between a perceived lack of control and other measures that can have an impact on an individual's quality of life including physical disability, optimism, self-belief and feelings of hopelessness.
115 people with MS took part in the study. The results suggest that a perceived lack of control was not linked to level of physical disability but it was linked to lower levels of optimism and self-belief and increased feelings of hopelessness.
Sinnakaruppan I, Macdonald K, McCafferty A, et al.
Perceived lack of control affects general outlook on life in people with MS
International Journal of Rehabilitation Research 2009; Oct 8 [Epub ahead of print].
Medline abstract