Research News
Muscle endurance in early MS
30 January 2012
Israeli researchers have developed tests that show that people in the first years after diagnosis with MS have 40% less leg muscle endurance than people without the condition. Their study involved 52 people with MS and 28 non MS controls
More...CCSVI studies
27 January 2012
The latest reports from the seven CCSVI studies being supported by the National MS Society and the Canadian MS Society have been published. Some interim data has been published but none of the studies is yet complete. The same report appears on both charities' websites.
National MS Society (USA)
Canadian MS Society
Tysabri trial for secondary progressive MS
26 January 2012
Biogen have announced a phase 3 trial called Ascend, which will look at the effectiveness of Tysabri in secondary progressive MS. The study will enrol 850 people in 15 countries. Participants will receive either Tysabri or placebo every four weeks for 96 weeks.
More...EMA announces review of fingolimod (Gilenya)
20 January 2012
The European Medicines Agency has begun a review of the benefits and risks of Gilenya (fingolimod) following the death of one person in the United States less than 24 hours after the first dose and reports of heart problems in other people.
While the review of this new oral treatment for relapsing remitting MS is ongoing, doctors are advised to increase cardiac monitoring of people after first dose.
More...Stem cells to oligodendrocytes
17 January 2012
Researchers in Florida have for the first time managed to get umbilical cord stem cells to convert into oligodendrocytes - the nervous system cells that produce myelin. They hope this laboratory work will lead to better understanding of the damage that occurs in MS and other conditions
More...Nerve rerouting and cognition
10 January 2012
In a small study involving 16 people with MS, researchers have suggested that the rerouting of nerve messages around an area of damage may have an impact of cognitive function.
More...Spasticity better after switching from beta interferon
09 December 2011
Spasticity affects many people with MS and is a condition where muscle tone becomes greatly increased. This means that the level of tension or the resistance to movement of the muscle affects how people move their limbs or how they hold them in position. More...
Does lifestyle affect MS progression?
05 December 2011
Belgian researchers have investigated whether a number of factors - consumption of alcohol, caffeinated drinks, fish and cigarette smoking - could affect the time it takes to progress to EDSS 6 (needing a walking aid to walk about 100m). 1372 people with MS were surveyed. More...
