A study out of Germany has identified three distinct subtypes of multiple sclerosis (MS) based on immune markers found in patients' blood, each with different disease progression. These subtypes, labeled E1, E2, and E3, showed unique immunological activation and responded differently to treatments over time, potentially providing valuable insights for drug developers and clinicians. The findings could lead to personalized treatment approaches for MS patients, but further research is needed to confirm the predictive ability of these subtypes and their stability over time.
Damian Washington shares his experience of living with multiple sclerosis (MS), describing the camaraderie and support among MS patients as they face the challenges of the condition together. He emphasizes the genuine connections and practical help they provide each other, highlighting the profound impact of their presence and mutual understanding. Despite the difficulties, he finds beauty in the friendships and love that have grown out of their shared experiences with MS.
Shelly Sutton, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021, found herself unable to walk, talk, or drive due to progressing symptoms. However, after trying pole dancing as a weekly activity alongside new medication, she found that it significantly improved her life. While there is no specific research on pole dancing and its impact on MS, the MS Society noted that any form of exercise can help with mood, mobility, and muscle strength.
Dr. Sam Roman, a physician diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) during medical school, found her passion for neurology and MS care through her personal experience. Despite facing relapses, she received early access to specialty care and started disease-modifying therapy, leading her to become an MS fellowship-trained neurologist. Recognizing the lack of time for thorough patient education in clinics, she aims to empower people with MS through online platforms and hopes to continue sharing her knowledge with the MS community.
Altered blood levels of certain lipid mediators, derived from fatty acids and implicated in inflammatory responses, seem to correlate with disability status and markers of nerve damage in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly in those with progressive forms of the disorder, a study reported. The findings highlight the potential role of these lipid mediators in the disease’s development and progression. The study analyzed blood samples from 285 people with MS and 125 age-matched healthy individuals as a control group, and found that people with progressive MS forms had more advanced disability and significantly higher levels of certain lipid mediators than those with relapsing-remitting MS or healthy individuals.
Researchers have developed a technique to measure the effectiveness of clemastine, an over-the-counter antihistamine, in repairing the brain of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Using MRI scans, they found that patients treated with clemastine experienced modest increases in myelin water, indicating myelin repair. The myelin water fraction technique could be used to track myelin recovery and set the standard for future research into remyelinating therapies. Clemastine works by stimulating the differentiation of myelin-making stem cells, making it a generation ahead of existing MS drugs. Future research will examine clemastine's potential in treating brain injury in premature infants.
Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) is a possible precursor to multiple sclerosis (MS) where people show similar lesions on the brain or spinal cord but don't have MS symptoms. Being male, younger, and having lesions on the spinal cord poses an increased risk of developing MS in five years. There is no cure for RIS, but vitamin D supplements, preventing metabolic disorders, and quitting smoking have been linked to a reduced risk of MS. Clinical trials are underway looking for ways to treat the progression of RIS using medications such as teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, and ocrelizumab.
Abnormal perceptions of discomfort and fatigue likely play a role in causing increased heat and cold sensitivity to extreme temperatures among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new study. However, the study suggests that MS does not generally affect how the body regulates its own temperature. The researchers found that MS patients experience an unusual sensitivity to temperature changes, particularly heat, that goes beyond the effects of changes in body temperature, implying that MS can cause abnormalities in the neurological systems that the body uses to sense its own temperature and trigger feelings of temperature-related discomfort.
Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the central nervous system, causing inflammation and lesions due to the immune system attacking the myelin. Symptoms include visual changes, numbness, tingling, weakness, paralysis, vertigo, erectile dysfunction, pregnancy problems, urinary incontinence or retention, muscle spasticity, incoordination, tremor, painful involuntary muscle contractions, slurred speech, and fatigue. The exact cause is unknown, but it is suspected to be an immune system malfunction. Risk factors include age, gender, family history, low vitamin D, smoking, and certain infections. Consult a medical professional for advice.
A specific toxin-producing gut bacteria, epsilon toxin-producing Clostridium perfringens, may be responsible for triggering the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS) and ongoing disease activity, according to a new study. The study identifies the bacteria in unusually high abundance within the gut microbiome of people with MS. Epsilon toxin opens the blood vessels of the brain allowing inflammatory cells to gain access to the central nervous system and cause demyelination characteristic of MS.
