The function of upper body extremities appears to be related to cognitive function and disability level among patients with multiple sclerosis, a new study indicates. The study authors sought to evaluate the relationship between hand and arm function with cognitive function, disability and fatigue among MS patients. A total of 31 patients with   more »

According to findings from a Danish study, having brothers and sisters does not appear to raise the risk of MS in younger siblings. Some researchers have suggested that developing an infection at a certain age during childhood may increase the risk of developing MS, the authors explained. To evaluate this theory, investigators studied   more »

Aim: To investigate whether the presence of serum antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and myelin basic protein (MBP) in patients with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) predicts the interval to develop more frequently and earlier a first relapse (clinically definite multiple sclerosis: CDMS) than   more »

A new way to preserve the cells that surround and protect nerves could lead to new treatments for demyelinating diseases such a multiple sclerosis, a research team reports   more »

Oral Presentation at American Academy of Neurology CARLSBAD, C.A. -- The Immune Response Corporation (OTCBB:IMNR.OB) announced that its T-cell receptor peptide vaccine candidate, NeuroVax™, induces increased FOXP3 expression resulting in re- establishment of normal levels of the FOXP3+ regulatory T-cells believed to be important in controlling the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). Results of the recently completed open-label trial   more »

New data from a phase 2 study of FTY720, (fingolimod) show a better than 50% reduction in the annualized relapse rate in patients with relapsing- remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). The results were   more »

Results from a phase 3 study of the novel monoclonal antibody, natalizumab, show significant efficacy in reducing progression of disability and suppressing disease related changes in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Treatment with natalizumab resulted in a 42% reduction in disability progression over 2 years compared with   more »

Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) has a distinct clinical phenotype and has historically been understudied with few longitudinal natural history studies spanning a reasonable time period. The authors examined patient characteristics, disease progression, and associated risk factors in   more »

Examination with an imaging technique known as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) appears to predict which patients with depression can be successfully treated with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), according to a study published in the April issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry. A total of 35 participants, 14 of   more »

Israel has served for almost half a century as a site for epidemiologic studies of multiple sclerosis (MS). Its small geographic size, well-equipped, accessible, and subsidized health facilities, trained physicians, detailed census data, and a National MS Register, maintained since 1960, offer advantages for   more »

SPMS patients were treated for two years with clinical evaluation (relapse rate, disability progression) every three months and radiological imaging (conventional magnetic resonance imaging) before therapy initiation and at the end of   more »

A Quicker Predictor for MS

As with many chronic medical conditions, there is a lot of guesswork involved in making a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis ...   more »