Monday, May 12

HERE'S SUNDAY'S NEWS PLUS 101 ARTICLES & STUDIES WE POSTED IN LAST 7 DAYS FOR NEUROLOGISTS, NURSES & PATIENTS!

A groundbreaking study using stem cells to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Parasite Infections in Multiple Sclerosis Modulate Immune Responses through a Retinoic Acid Dependent Pathway

Evaluation of plaque detection and optimum time of enhancement in acute attack multiple sclerosis after contrast injection


Multiple sclerosis and pregnancy
Multiple sclerosis will usually calm down during pregnancy, but the number of relapses again increases immediately after childbirth. Among the conventional immunomodulatory drugs, there is experience already for over 15 years of the use of interferon-beta and glatiramer. No indications of harmful effects on the fetus have been noted, and interferon-beta and glatiramer can very likely be safely used until the beginning of pregnancy.

 AUBAGIO (Teriflunomide) in relapsing multiple sclerosis: therapeutic utility 

Tips for Dealing with Cognitive Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis

CLICK ON "Read More" FOR THE REMAINING 97 STUDIES & ARTICLES




Health-related quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients with bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction.
Bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction are often overlooked symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and can be associated with lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL. Bladder and sexual dysfunction are associated with a poorer HRQoL in MS patients even if they have had MS for a relatively short time. Recognition and proper treatment is needed to prevent the development of more severe dysfunction; this may also lead to a better HRQoL. Implications for Rehabilitation Bladder and sexual dysfunction are associated with a poor health-related quality of life in MS patients. Sexual dysfunction may explain mental health issues among individuals with a short disease duration. Recognition and treatment may prevent the development of more severe sexual and bladder dysfunction and increase physical health-related quality of life.



Cerebrospinal fluid derived immunoglobulin G of different multiple sclerosis patients share mutated sequences in complementarity determining regions

Application and a proposed modification of the 2010 McDonald criteria for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in a Canadian cohort of patients with clinically isolated syndromes

Parasite Infections in Multiple Sclerosis Modulate Immune Responses through a Retinoic Acid-Dependent Pathway

Thalamic Atrophy Is Associated with Development of Clinically Definite Multiple Sclerosis

Clinical and MRI activity as determinants of sample size for pediatric multiple sclerosis trials

 Effect of chlorzoxazone in patients with downbeat nystagmus: A pilot trial

 Interictal increase of CGRP levels in peripheral blood as a biomarker for chronic migraine

Clinicians can automatically identify one of 193 yeasts and bacteria with a test system approved by the US Food and Drug Administration 







MS patients' leap for charity A group of people from Sheffield living with multiple sclerosis will be plunging 10,000 feet in a daring skydive to raise charity money.


Multiple sclerosis: basic knowledge and new insights in perioperative management.
We concluded that the disease itself as well as the treatment modalities may have several implications in the conduct of anesthesia and perioperative management of MS patients. General and regional anesthetic techniques have been successfully used. With thorough preoperative evaluation and in depth knowledge of the disease and its complications, the MS patients can be managed safely.

Site-Specific PEGylation Enhances the Pharmacokinetic Properties and Antitumor Activity of Interferon Beta-1b.
Interferon beta (IFN-β) is widely used to ameliorate disease progression in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. IFN-β has a short half-life in humans, necessitating frequent administration for optimum effectiveness. Unexpectedly, we found that most of the PEG-IFN-β analogs showed 11- to 78-fold improved in vitro bioactivities relative to their unPEGylated parent proteins and to IFN-β-1b. In vivo studies showed that a lead PEG-IFN-β protein had improved pharmacokinetic properties compared to IFN-β and was significantly more effective than IFN-β at inhibiting growth of a human tumor xenograft in athymic mice.

Bupropion-Related Visual Hallucinations in a Veteran With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Multiple Sclerosis.

Gait and six-minute walk performance in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Preliminary validation study of the Spanish version of the satisfaction with life scale in persons with multiple sclerosis.


  Ambien (Zolpidem) and Driving Impairment — Identifying Persons at Risk
 Zolpidem (Ambien, Sanofi) is the most widely used prescription drug for insomnia and one of the most commonly used drugs in the United States. Treatment of insomnia, which has important effects on patients' quality of life, may also have larger public health benefits.



ESTRIOL MAY IMPROVE COGNITION IN MS...Sex hormone will be evaluated in 12-month study
MS relapses are decreased by 80% during late pregnancy, which may be due to estriol, the major estrogen of pregnancy. Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl, UCLA, and investigators in California, Colorado, New Mexico and Pennsylvania seek women with MS for a multi-center clinical trial that will explore estriol’s effects on MS-related cognitive issues. In a related Society-funded study, Dr. Voskuhl’s team is studying the effects of estriol on MS disease activity in 150 women living with the disease.

MS Trial Alert: Researchers in California, Colorado, New Mexico and Pennsylvania Recruiting Women with Progressive or Relapsing MS for Study of Estriol to Improve Cognition
Investigators in California, Colorado, New Mexico and Pennsylvania are recruiting 64 women with MS relapsing-remitting, secondary-progressive, or primary-progressive for a 12-month study in which the sex hormone estriol will be compared with inactive placebo for effects on cognitive function. Participants can remain on their prescribed MS medication throughout the study. Rhonda Voskuhl, MD (University of California at Los Angeles) is the principal investigator of the trial. The study is funded by various private donors to the UCLA program.

MS Trial Alert: Abili-T Study of Tcelna Immunotherapy Recruiting 180 People with Secondary-Progressive MS in U.S. and Canada
Investigators in the United States and Canada are recruiting 180 people with secondary-progressive MS for a phase 2 clinical trial of Tcelna® (Imilecleucel-T, Opexa Therapeutics, Inc.), a personalized T-cell therapy using an individual’s own immune cells.  The placebo-controlled study, also called the Abili-T study, is sponsored by Opexa Therapeutics, Inc., of The Woodlands, Texas.

 Computer-assisted rehabilitation of attention in patients with multiple sclerosis: results of a randomized, double-blind trial.
There is controversial information on the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis.
The objective of this paper is to test a home-based computerized program for retraining attention dysfunction in MS.

Asymptomatic lung disease caused by Mycobacterium kansasii as an opportunistic infection in a patient treated with natalizumab for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Protein kinase Cβ as a therapeutic target stabilizing blood-brain barrier disruption in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a hallmark of acute inflammatory lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. This disruption may precede and facilitate the infiltration of encephalitogenic T cells. 


Torque teno virus (TTV) in multiple sclerosis patients with different patterns of disease.
Torque teno virus (TTV) is highly prevalent in the general population worldwide. The relationship that TTV establishes with the central nervous system (CNS) of infected hosts is not clear but it is suspected that TTV infection of the CNS lead to increased local expression of inflammatory mediators that may play a role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Brain radiation and possible presentation of multiple sclerosis.
Radiation therapies are commonly used for malignant or metastatic brain tumors for curative and palliative use. The radiation-induced neurotoxicity includes both parenchymal and vascular damage. Here we report the case of a 43-year-old woman who developed Multiple sclerosis (MS) 9 months after she underwent the last session of radiotherapy for the diagnosed meningioma. Conventional doses of radiation might trigger MS.

 Circadian rhythm sleep disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis and its association with fatigue: A case-control study. 
Circadian rhythm sleep disorders are a presentation of sleep disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aims to compare this problem in MS patients with healthy people and to determine its association with chronic fatigue in MS patients.

Cow's milk allergy in multiple sclerosis patients.
 Exposure to some environmental agent such as different nutrition and contact with allergens may have a role in developing multiple sclerosis (MS). The present study was aimed to evaluate the cow's milk allergy (CMA) in MS patients compared to healthy controls.

Jacksonian seizure as the relapse symptom of multiple sclerosis.
Epilepsy is more common in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) than in the general population, occurring in 2-3% of patients. Convulsions may be either tonic-clonic in nature or partial complex. In these individuals, seizures most likely result from lesions present in the cerebral cortex and subcortical white matter. A Jacksonian seizure is a type of simple partial seizure characterized by abnormal movements that begin in one group of muscles and progress to adjacent groups of muscles. We describe a case of Jacksonian seizure as the relapse symptom of MS. Focal motor seizures of this patient have been observed before and presumably marking the clinical onset or during acute bouts of MS. In this case, Jacksonian seizures appear to be the sign of a flare of MS, while the majority of seizures had been reported occur unrelated to MS relapses.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Portuguese version of the DYMUS questionnaire for the assessment of dysphagia in multiple sclerosis.
The DYMUS-BR questionnaire maintained the characteristics of that originally described, demonstrating to be a reliable, valid, easy and consistent tool to be used by health professionals for preliminary selection of Brazilian MS patients who need more specific instrumental analyses of swallowing.

Study: EBV Reactivation May Lead to MS Relapse; polyDNA Recommends Gene-Eden-VIR against the Latent EBV
Researchers from Italy propose that the inability to control the latent Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) when a Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patient is in remission, could allow the virus to reactivate, causing an MS relapse (1).

Does levetircetam decrease of the rubral tremor in patients with multiple sclerosis.
One of the frequent symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is tremor which can severely cause disability. Treatment of tremor in MS patients is still very challenging to manage. In this study, we sought to determine the efficacy of Levetiracetam on treatment of MS-related tremor.

Seizure characteristics in multiple sclerosis patients.
To evaluate seizure characteristic among multiple sclerosis patients with coexistent seizure activity compared to control group.

 
THE CLEVELAND CLINIC: Natural Sleep Help! Complementary Insomnia Aids PLUS Cognitive-behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
 A wide range of complementary medicine options — non-invasive and non-habit forming — can be used alone or in combination with standard treatment for insomnia. Research suggests they are effective for many people, with more than 50 percent of study participants finding them very helpful in maintaining health and well-being.

Is the 'liberation procedure' for multiple sclerosis really liberating?
Journal of Neurology Neurosurg. Psychiatry. published 20 August 2013,

Screening for neurotropic viruses in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases
Multiple Sclerosis Journal. published 19 August 2013,

A Handicapped Tag Can Help You Beat the Heat
Even if you can walk just fine once you get inside, if heat intolerance is part of your multiple sclerosis "package," consider getting "the tag." Some of you might have a list of reasons why you don't need a handicapped tag (for instance, even the name is awful, but "disabled parking placard" is not much better) or be resistant to getting one for fear of what others might think.

MS CAN INTERFERE WITH YOUR SLEEP! HERE'S 7 SLEEP TIPS FROM THE MAYO CLINIC
Think about all the factors that can interfere with a good night's sleep — from your MS to pressure at work and family responsibilities to unexpected challenges, such as layoffs, relationship issues or illnesses. It's no wonder that quality sleep is sometimes elusive.


Asymptomatic lung disease caused by Mycobacterium kansasii as an opportunistic infection in a patient treated with TYSABRI (natalizumab) for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

The relationship between total and regional corpus callosum atrophy, cognitive impairment and fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients
Multiple Sclerosis Journal. published 19 August 2013,

Oxysterols and cholesterol precursors correlate to magnetic resonance imaging measures of neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis

Circulating vitamin D binding protein levels are not associated with relapses or with vitamin D status in multiple sclerosis

Justine Fedak honored as woman on the move
Crain's Chicago Business (blog)
So even if you know that Ms. Fedak also has multiple sclerosis, it was a surprise to hear her talk Monday about the struggles she's had with her health.

Amy Winehouse 30th birthday to be marked by her Mother Janis, 58, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis will be leaping from an aeroplane

Brackley boy, 11, to run across PEI for MS
The 11-year-old is running the Island tip-to-tip along the Confederation Trail beginning Thursday to raise money and awareness for multiple sclerosis.

Alpine Wine Fest at Squaw Valley to benefit MS Can Do
All event proceeds benefit Can Do Multiple Sclerosis, a national nonprofit organization and innovative provider of lifestyle empowerment programs for people ...

Tugboats pull their weight in MS Harborfest
... Portland Harbor last weekend, was expected to raise more than $100,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society once all the donations had been counted.

Despite MS, teacher gets thousands of kids in the swim
Despite a 20-year battle with multiple sclerosis and the recent loss of her husband, Knisley continues to get kids in the swim. NBC's Bob Dotson reports.

5K Race to Erase MS is Aug. 31
CHESTERTOWN — The Race to Erase MS, a 5K run/walk that benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, returns to Chestertown for a fourth year on ...


 Future MRI tools in multiple sclerosis.
J Neurol Sci. 2013 Aug 15;331(1-2):14-8.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is extremely sensitive in detecting multiple sclerosis (MS)-related abnormalities. As a consequence, it has become an established tool to diagnose the disease and to monitor its evolution. In patients at presentation with clinically isolated syndromes suggestive of MS, MRI has been formally included in the diagnostic work up and ad hoc criteria have been proposed and are updated on a regular basis. However, in patients with definite MS, the strength of the relationship between conventional MRI findings and subsequent clinical manifestations of the disease remains modest.
This is likely due to the relatively lack of specificity of conventional MRI to the heterogeneous pathological substrates of the disease and its inability to provide accurate estimates of such a damage outside focal lesions as well as to define the mechanisms through which the central nervous system recovers after tissue injury has occurred. Non-conventional MRI techniques offer new biomarkers more closely linked to the pathological features of the disease, which are likely to contribute to overcome, at least partially, these limitations. This review summarizes how MRI has improved our ability to diagnose MS and to predict its course, as well as how it is changing our understanding of the factors associated with the accumulation of irreversible disability in this condition.

Cerebrospinal fluid and serum JC virus antibody detection in multiple sclerosis patients treated with TYSABRI (natalizumab)
 Tisch Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of New York
J Neuroimmunol. 2013 Aug 15;261(1-2):123-8.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a complication of natalizumab treatment. In order to identify natalizumab-treated patients at risk of developing PML, we assayed for anti-JC virus (JCV) antibody levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Serial CSF antibody levels were obtained, with 4 patients showing increases in anti-JCV levels indicating possibly viral activation. In patients with both CSF and serum antibody levels, a comparison showed only a moderate Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient of 0.38. Our data suggests that serum anti-JCV antibody testing alone may not suffice in identifying at-risk patients because of the lack of uniform correlation with CSF titers.


 Autoantigen induced clonal expansion in immortalized B cells from the peripheral blood of multiple sclerosis patients.
J Neuroimmunol. 2013 Aug 15;261(1-2):98-107.

Evaluating biomarkers of neuronal degeneration and neuroinflammation in CSF of patients with multiple sclerosis-osteopontin as a potential marker of clinical severity.
J Neurol Sci. 2013 Aug 15;331(1-2):38-42.

Gender differences in circulating levels of neutrophil extracellular traps in serum of multiple sclerosis patients. 
Neuroimmunol. 2013 Aug 15;261(1-2):108-19.

Heme oxygenase-1 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells correlates with disease activity in multiple sclerosis.
J Neuroimmunol. 2013 Aug 15;261(1-2):82-6.

IL-22 secreting CD4+ T cells in the patients with neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis.
J Neuroimmunol. 2013 Aug 15;261(1-2):87-91.

The influence of non-HLA gene polymorphisms and interactions on disease risk in a Western Australian multiple sclerosis cohort.
J Neuroimmunol. 2013 Aug 15;261(1-2):92-7.

Integrating the tools for an individualized prognosis in multiple sclerosis.
J Neurol Sci. 2013 Aug 15;331(1-2):10-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2013.04.021. Epub 2013 May 19.

Modulation of multiple sclerosis by sunlight exposure: Role of cis-urocanic acid.
J Neuroimmunol. 2013 Aug 15;261(1-2):134-40.

Myelin basic protein immunosensor for multiple sclerosis detection based upon label-free electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
Biosens Bioelectron. 2013 Aug 15;46:53-60.

Prevalence of patient-reported dysphagia in multiple sclerosis patients: An Italian multicenter study (using the DYMUS questionnaire).
Bergamaschi R.J Neurol Sci. 2013 Aug 15;331(1-2):94-7.

Somatostatin preserved blood brain barrier against cytokine induced alterations: Possible role in multiple sclerosis.
Biochem Pharmacol. 2013 Aug 15;86(4):497-507.

TRPM4 mRNA expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from multiple sclerosis patients..
J Neuroimmunol. 2013 Aug 15;261(1-2):146-8.

Patient autonomy in multiple sclerosis - Possible goals and assessment strategies
Neurol Sci. 2013 Aug 15;331(1-2):2-9.

Computer-assisted rehabilitation of attention in patients with multiple sclerosis: results of a randomized, double-blind trialMultiple Sclerosis Journal. published 19 August 2013
Although our program trained different attention components, we could detect some improvements exclusively on tasks of sustained attention. Moreover, patient self-perceived results may be independent of the training program

Circulating vitamin D binding protein levels are not associated with relapses or with vitamin D status in multiple sclerosis
We found no association between DBP, MS, and vitamin D status within the physiological range. After high - dose vitamin D supplementation, DBP concentrations may be relevant for vitamin D metabolism.

The relationship between total and regional corpus callosum atrophy, cognitive impairment and fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients
Atrophy of the CC is associated with cognitive impairment and fatigue. Regional CCI results indicate that these associations are partially spatially segregated.

Oxysterols and cholesterol precursors correlate to magnetic resonance imaging measures of neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis
These results confirm that cholesterol homeostasis is disturbed in MS and suggest that changes in cholesterol synthesis are related to neurodegenerative pathological processes as seen on the MRI. The data seem to be in line with the recently reported observation that high dose statins may have a positive effect on clinical disability in secondary progressive MS.



AUBAGIO (Teriflunomide) effect on immune response to influenza vaccine in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Teriflunomide-treated patients generally mounted effective immune responses to seasonal influenza vaccination, consistent with preservation of protective immune responses. This study provides Class II evidence that teriflunomide generally does not adversely impact the ability of patients with RMS to mount immune responses to influenza vaccination

Will MRI Be a Primary Endpoint for Regulatory Approval of Future MS Therapeutics?
Magnetic resonance imaging may allow for practical investigation of biosimilar and generic medications in relapsing multiple sclerosis.
Robert T. Naismith, MD reviewing Sormani MP and Bruzzi P. Lancet Neurol

“Black Holes” and Long-Term Disability in Multiple Sclerosis
The number of T1 hypointensities at baseline and increases in black-hole volumes on magnetic resonance imaging predict worsening on the Expanded Disability Status Scale.

Dronabinol Ineffective to Reduce Disability in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Robert T. Naismith, MD reviewing Zajicek J et al. Lancet Neurol 2013
Marijuana extract does not have beneficial effect as a disease modifier in progressive MS.

Cannabidiol provides long-lasting protection against the deleterious effects of inflammation in a viral model of multiple sclerosis: A role for A2A receptors.
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic cannabinoid constituent of Cannabis sativa, has potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive propertiesTogether, our findings highlight the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD in this viral model of MS, and demonstrate the significant therapeutic potential of this compound for the treatment of pathologies with an inflammatory component.

Former Pro Golfer from Wilton & Ridgefield Golf Club Fights Back ...
HamletHub
Former professional golfer Greg "Jake" Jacobson is teaming up with the Ridgefield Golf Club to host, The Jake, their first-ever golf tournament to benefit the fight ...

5 Companies Leading the Fight Against Multiple Sclerosis
DailyFinance
It's a disease that doesn't often find itself in the spotlight, but multiple sclerosis is quickly becoming an ailment that drugmakers are focusing their efforts on to ...

Groundbreaking multiple sclerosis stem cell trial approved
Bayoubuzz
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new clinical trial of a groundbreaking strategy using stem cells for the treatment of MS (multiple ...

Local Musician is Busking for Mobility
KCRG
Four years ago, Mark Brown started strumming, singing, and humming to raise money for MS research and treatment. Or as he calls it, "Busking for Mobility."


St. Cloud Dedicates Pineview Park To The Post Family [VIDEO]
WJON News
During her annual fundraising effort for Multiple Sclerosis, St. Cloud mayor Dave Kleis made a special announcement for the Post Family, dedicating Pineview ...

Stem cell spine injections for MS - trial approved
Bayoubuzz
The main objective of the clinical trial, the researchers say, is to determine the safety of the treatment, while the secondary objective is to measure the effectiveness.

MS Regatta: Fun for a worthy cause
Kennebec Journal
The money raised benefits the National Multiple SclerosisSociety. About 60 boats of varying length compete in the race, which starts near Fort Gorges, ..

Medical marijuana passes drugs testIf we treat recreational drugs in ...
Irish Independent
The drug will be available for therapeutic purposes only, initially for treatment of spacisity in Multiple Sclerosis. However, it has clinical applications for an array ...

Yoga Enhances Sleep Quality

"Three-fourths of clinicians taking part in a New England Journal of Medicine poll said they would prescribe marijuana to ease pain...."

Video Visits With Patients Can Boost Your Bottom Line

Newly Recognized JC Virus Syndrome with Pure Cerebellar Degeneration
A case of cerebellar granule cell neuronopathy with progressive ataxia and cerebellar atrophy in the setting of TYSABRI (natalizumab) treatment for multiple sclerosis