MS and Demyelinating Disorders

Encouraging results for many new and future therapies for MS were discussed at ECTRIMS this month.

Our blogger considers a new approach to studying MS and welcomes your thoughts on the subject.

We present findings from 3 recent studies concerning multiple sclerosis research and treatment.

Biomarkers in the blood may be an effective tool for diagnosis and personalized therapy. Learn more about this and two other studies regarding multiple sclerosis.

Recent studies on MS are highlighted, including a possible new avenue for future therapies.

What is the function of continued adult myelination in the normal undiseased brain? A recent study sheds remarkable light on this process and its importance.

Several new studies feature developments in remyelination in MS. Oligodendrocyte precursor cells may be a promising target for MS treatments, and microRNA expression are perhaps an attractive MS biomarker.

Is fatigue with MS related to diet? Is alcohol intake tied to lower MS disability and severity? Researchers at AAN 2015 reported on how patients are affected by what they eat and drink.

Here's a handy synopsis of a “hands-on” review of the current state of monitoring disease and treatment decision making in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Can the EEG predict neurological outcomes in post-anoxic encephalopathy from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest? What effect does TIA have on stroke risk in women migraineurs? What's the relationship between MS and vitamin D levels in minority populations?

A switch to a second-line drug in a patient receiving first-line therapies likely will be effective at decreasing disease activity.

Three brand new studies shed light on use of natalizumab in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Do you have a patient with "radiologically isolated syndrome" -- and, if so, what do you tell your patient?

An FDA-approved drug for high blood pressure alleviates clinical symptoms of MS in mice, showing great promise for humans.

Highlights of recent findings about multiple sclerosis are summarized in this slide show.

This treatment may be superior to current treatment for patients with severe multiple sclerosis that is not responding well to standard treatments.

A new study indicates that infection with Helicobacter pylori might lower the risk of multiple sclerosis, at least in women. Pharmaceutical products could provide a novel means of treatment.

The risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in patients receiving Tysabri for MS is a concern about this otherwise extremely effective therapy.

HDIT/HCT could induce sustained remission and neurological improvements in patients with multiple sclerosis.

No evidence of disease activity (NEDA) is a new concept developing in MS. The field is beginning to ask how well the new treatments are doing and whether can we ultimately shut down the disease.

What happens before the demyelinating lesions of MS appear? Does smoking confer protection against Parkinson disease? How is NMDA receptor-associated disease reversed? Here are 4 fine papers from 2014 that set out to answer these questions.

Get to the root of the latest research findings on nervous system disorders and test your brainpower with this quick 5-question quiz.

Approved for patients with relapsing forms of MS, the drug generally should be reserved for those who have had an inadequate response to 2 or more drugs indicated for MS treatment.

As more treatments become available, patients will have more preferences and will play a more prominent role in directing choices.

Determining who is at risk for MS remains difficult, and symptoms may take time to develop even in patients who already have some destroyed myelin. MRI may help.