ScienceDaily: Multiple Sclerosis Research News

Testing method promising for spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:28:28 EDT

A medical test previously developed to measure a toxin found in tobacco smokers has been adapted to measure the same toxin in people suffering from spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis, offering a potential tool to reduce symptoms.

New imaging technique holds promise for speeding MS research

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:23:23 EDT

Researchers have developed a new magnetic resonance imaging technique that detects the telltale signs of multiple sclerosis in finer detail than ever before -- providing a more powerful tool for evaluating new treatments.

Interleukin 17F level and interferon beta response in patients with multiple sclerosis

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:41:41 EDT

A new study examines the association between IL-17F and treatment response to interferon beta-1b among patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Enhanced white blood cells heal mice with MS-like disease

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 13:38:38 EDT

Genetically engineered immune cells seem to promote healing in mice infected with a neurological disease similar to multiple sclerosis, cleaning up lesions and allowing the mice to regain use of their legs and tails.

Immune cell activation in multiple sclerosis: New indicator molecules visualize activation of auto-aggressive T cells

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:40:40 EDT

Biological processes are generally based on events at the molecular and cellular level. To understand what happens in the course of infections, diseases or normal bodily functions, scientists would need to examine individual cells and their activity directly in the tissue. The development of new microscopes and fluorescent dyes in recent years has brought this scientific dream tantalizingly close. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology in Martinsried have now presented two studies introducing new indicator molecules which can visualize the activation of T cells. Their findings provide new insight into the role of these cells in the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS). The new indicators are set to be an important tool in the study of other immune reactions as well.

Dynamic behavior of progenitor cells in brain discovered

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:21:21 EDT

By monitoring the behavior of a class of cells in the brains of living mice, neuroscientists have discovered that these cells remain highly dynamic in the adult brain, where they transform into cells that insulate nerve fibers and help form scars that aid in tissue repair.

How nerve wiring self-destructs

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:35:35 EDT

Many medical issues affect nerves, from injuries and chemotherapy to glaucoma and multiple sclerosis. The common theme in these scenarios is destruction of nerve axons, the long wires that transmit signals to other parts of the body. Researchers have now found a way the body can remove injured axons, identifying a potential target for new drugs that could prevent the inappropriate loss of axons.

Key protein for firing up central nervous system inflammation identified

Thu, 02 May 2013 09:35:35 EDT

Researchers identify Peli1 as pivotal actor in animal model of multiple sclerosis.

Atrophy in key region of brain associated with multiple sclerosis

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:11:11 EDT

Magnetic resonance imaging measurements of atrophy in an important area of the brain are an accurate predictor of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new study. According to the researchers, these atrophy measurements offer an improvement over current methods for evaluating patients at risk for MS.

Alternative medicine use by MS patients now mapped

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:11:11 EDT

A major Nordic research project has, for the first time ever, mapped the use of alternative treatment among multiple sclerosis patients -- knowledge which is important for patients with chronic disease and the way in which society meets them.

Skin cells turned directly into the cells that insulate neurons

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:48:48 EDT

Researchers have succeeded in transforming skin cells directly into oligodendrocyte precursor cells, the cells that wrap nerve cells in the insulating myelin sheaths that help nerve signals propagate. The current research was done in mice and rats. If the approach also works with human cells, it could eventually lead to cell therapies for diseases like inherited leukodystrophies -- disorders of the brain's white matter -- and multiple sclerosis, as well as spinal cord injuries.

Study reveals function of thousands of autoantibodies in blood

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:43:43 EDT

Research suggests a new immunology frontier with evidence that blood contains thousands of autoantibodies that bind specifically to antigens from all over the body, clear cellular debris from injury and disease and vary by age, gender and disease state.

Accused of complicity in Alzheimer's, amyloid proteins may be getting a bad rap

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:14:14 EDT

Amyloids -- clumps of misfolded proteins found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders -- are the quintessential bad boys of neurobiology. But now a pair of recent research studies sets a solid course toward rehabilitating the reputation of the proteins that form these amyloid tangles, or plaques. In the process, they appear poised to turn the field of neurobiology on its head.

Link between faster 'biological' aging and risk of developing age-related diseases

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:33:33 EDT

Scientists have found new evidence that links faster "biological" aging to the risk of developing several age-related diseases -- including heart disease, multiple sclerosis and various cancers.

Major advance in understanding risky but effective multiple sclerosis treatment

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:17:17 EDT

A new study by multiple sclerosis researchers addresses why bone marrow transplantation has positive results in patients with particularly aggressive forms of MS.

Hunger-spiking neurons could help control autoimmune diseases

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:05:05 EDT

Neurons that control hunger in the central nervous system also regulate immune cell functions, implicating eating behavior as a defense against infections and autoimmune disease development, researchers have found.

Did evolution give us inflammatory disease?

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:42:42 EDT

Researchers demonstrate that some variants in our genes which could put a person at risk for inflammatory diseases -- such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease or rheumatoid arthritis -- have been the target of natural selection over the course of human history.

New diagnostic technology points to possible new blood tests for conditions from Alzheimer's to autoimmune diseases

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 13:31:31 EDT

Researchers have developed cutting-edge technology that can successfully screen human blood for disease markers. This tool may hold the key to better diagnosing and understanding today's most pressing and puzzling health conditions, including autoimmune diseases.

Common multiple sclerosis drugs taken together do not reduce relapse risk

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 10:16:16 EDT

A recent clinical trial found that interferon²-1a (INF) and glatiramer acetate (GA), two of the most commonly prescribed drugs for multiple sclerosis (MS), provide no additional clinical benefit when taken together. While findings suggest that taking both INF and GA together was not superior to GA monotherapy in reducing relapse risk; the combination therapy does appear to reduce new lesion activity and total lesion volume.

Can hormone help treat multiple sclerosis long-term?

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 16:37:37 EDT

A new study suggests that treatment with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) may be helpful for people whose multiple sclerosis (MS) is not well-controlled through their regular treatment.

Low incidence of venous insufficiency in multiple sclerosis

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:06:06 EST

Results of a study using several imaging methods showed that chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency occurs at a low rate in both people with multiple sclerosis and non-MS volunteers, contrary to some previous studies.

People with MS-related memory and attention problems have signs of extensive brain damage

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:22:22 EST

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have cognitive problems, or problems with memory, attention, and concentration, have more damage to areas of the brain involved in cognitive processes than people with MS who do not have cognitive problems, according to a new study.

Excess dietary salt may drive the development of autoimmune diseases

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:43:43 EST

Increased dietary salt intake can induce a group of aggressive immune cells that are involved in triggering and sustaining autoimmune diseases. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks healthy tissue instead of fighting pathogens. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks healthy tissue instead of fighting pathogens.

'Network' analysis of brain may explain features of autism

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:20:20 EST

A look at how the brain processes information finds distinct pattern in autistic children. Using EEGs to track the brain's electrical cross-talk, researchers found structural difference in brain connections. Compared with neurotypical children, those with autism have multiple redundant connections between neighboring brain areas at expense of long-distance links. The study, using "network analysis" like with airlines or electrical grids, may help in understanding some classic autistic behaviors.

Cancer drug a possible treatment for multiple sclerosis, rat study suggests

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 08:46:46 EST

A drug that is currently used for cancer can relieve and slow down the progression of the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS) in rats, according to a new study. The discovery might one day lead to better forms of treatment for patients with MS.

Help for patients with tuberous sclerosis

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:04:04 EST

Scientists have developed a new therapy for patients suffering from renal tumors associated with the rare genetic disease tuberous sclerosis (TSC). The researchers have succeeded in markedly reducing the tumor volume in TSC patients by using the drug Everolimus.

Key protein revealed as trigger for stem cell development

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:16:16 EST

A natural trigger that enables stem cells to become any cell type in the body has been discovered by scientists. Researchers have identified a protein that kick-starts the process by which stem cells can develop to into different cells in the body, for instance liver or brain cells.

Magnetic field exposure may affect neurodegenerative disease risk

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:12:12 EST

Occupational exposure to magnetic fields (MF) may be associated with "moderately increased risk" of certain neurodegenerative diseases —- including Alzheimer's and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

One in three children with MS has cognitive impairment

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:36:36 EST

Data from the largest multicenter study accessing cognitive functioning in children with multiple sclerosis (MS) reveals that one-third of these patients have cognitive impairment, according to a research article. The study indicates that patients experience a range of problems related to cognition.

High risk of cardiovascular diseases amongst Swedish-born and immigrant MS patients

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 09:46:46 EST

A new study from Sweden shows that patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) run a high risk of heart attack, stroke and heart failure, regardless of migration background. The study is the first in the world to examine the risk of cardiovascular diseases in male and female MS patients with both non-immigrant and immigrant backgrounds.

New drug target identified for multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:20:20 EST

Researchers report that the protein Klotho plays an important role in the health of myelin, the insulating material allowing for the rapid communication between nerve cells. These findings may lead to new therapies for multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease, in which white matter abnormalities are also common but have been largely ignored.

Androgenic hormones could help treat multiple sclerosis, study suggests

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 08:27:27 EST

Testosterone and its derivatives could constitute an efficient treatment against myelin diseases such as multiple sclerosis, a new study suggests.

Multiple sclerosis study reveals how killer T cells learn to recognize nerve fiber insulators

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 09:27:27 EST

Misguided killer T cells may be the missing link in sustained tissue damage in the brains and spines of people with multiple sclerosis. Mouse studies showed that killer T cells were activated and turned into cells that recognize nerve-coating proteins by Tip-dendritic cells. With probing, tentacle-like membrane protrusions, these instigators arise from inflammatory white blood cells. Conversely, the activated T cells might at times protect against MS. The researchers are seeking specific immunotherapies for MS that avoid side effects of general immunosuppressants.

Kidneys sometimes removed unnecessarily due to misdiagnosis of genetic disorder

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:23:23 EST

Thousands of individuals have had kidneys removed unnecessarily because doctors misdiagnosed their disease. A new study indicates that approximately one of every five individuals with kidney tumors common in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex, a genetic disorder, has had a kidney removed.

Stem cells may hold promise for Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:56:56 EST

Apparent stem cell transplant success in mice may hold promise for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, according to results of a new study.

Eyes may provide a look into multiple sclerosis progression

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 08:03:03 EST

New research suggests that thinning of a layer of the retina in the eyes may show how fast multiple sclerosis (MS) is progressing in people with the disease.

Autoimmune disease: Retraining white blood cells

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:26:26 EST

Symptoms of an autoimmune disease disappeared after a team of scientists retrained the white blood cells involved using a specially engineered protein. This method is extremely promising for treating diseases such as type I diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

Scientists identify key biological mechanism in multiple sclerosis

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:39:39 EST

Scientists have defined for the first time a key underlying process implicated in multiple sclerosis -- a disease that causes progressive and irreversible damage to nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. This discovery offers new hope for the millions who suffer from this debilitating disease for which there is no cure.

Changes in nerve cells may contribute to the development of mental illness

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:20:20 EST

Reduced production of myelin, a type of protective nerve fiber that is lost in diseases like multiple sclerosis, may also play a role in the development of mental illness, according to new research.

Possible trigger for multiple sclerosis nerve damage

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:42:42 EST

High-resolution real-time images show in mice how nerves may be damaged during the earliest stages of multiple sclerosis. The results suggest that the critical step happens when fibrinogen, a blood-clotting protein, leaks into the central nervous system and activates immune cells called microglia.

Combination of two pharmaceuticals proves effective in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, study suggests

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:12:12 EST

A new substance class for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases now promises increased efficacy paired with fewer side effects. To achieve this, a team of scientists have combined two already approved pharmaceutical substances with each other using a chemical linker structure. The objectives of this combination are to ensure maximum brain cell protection on the one hand and the suppression of unwanted side effects on the other.

Scientists identify inhibitor of myelin formation in central nervous system

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 10:01:01 EST

Scientists have discovered another molecule that plays an important role in regulating myelin formation in the central nervous system. Myelin promotes the conduction of nerve cell impulses by forming a sheath around their projections, the so-called axons, at specific locations -- acting like the plastic insulation around a power cord.

Multiple sclerosis ‘immune exchange’ between brain and blood is uncovered

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:33:33 EST

DNA sequences obtained from a handful of patients with multiple sclerosis have revealed the existence of an “immune exchange” that allows the disease-causing cells to move in and out of the brain.

Month of birth effect: Give pregnant women vitamin D supplements to ward off multiple sclerosis, say researchers

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 19:26:26 EST

The risk of developing multiple sclerosis is highest in the month of April, and lowest in October, indicates an analysis of the available evidence, published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.

New approach to combat viral infections identified

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:20:20 EST

When a virus such as influenza invades our bodies, interferon proteins are among the first immune molecules produced to fight off the attack. A study offers a new strategy for enhancing the effects of interferon in fighting off infection.

Researchers coax cells to grow and myelinate along thin fibers; Potential use in testing treatments for neurological diseases

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:59:59 EST

Using polymer nanofibers thinner than human hairs as scaffolds, researchers have coaxed a particular type of brain cell to wrap around nanofibers that mimic the shape and size of nerves found in the body.

New development in relief of spasms related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 10:20:20 EST

Scientists have recently discovered the origin of spasms - a disabling symptom of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The degeneration of serotonin-releasing neurons is responsible for these sensations. In the longer term, researchers imagine that molecules acting on serotonin receptors present in the brain could eliminate spasticity in patients.

MRI research sheds new light on nerve fibres in the brain

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 08:46:46 EDT

Experts in magnetic resonance imaging from the UK have made a key discovery which could give the medical world a new tool for the improved diagnosis and monitoring of brain diseases like multiple sclerosis.

New multiple sclerosis drug proves effective where others have failed

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 21:41:41 EDT

A drug which "reboots" a person's immune system has been shown to be an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis patients who have already failed to respond to the first drug with which they were treated (a "first-line" therapy), as well as affected individuals who were previously untreated.

Potential way to repair brain damage in multiple sclerosis

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:16:16 EDT

Blocking a certain enzyme in the brain can help repair the brain damage associated with multiple sclerosis and a range of other neurological disorders.

Stem cell therapies for multiple sclerosis, other myelin disorders expected soon

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:04:04 EDT

Researchers are now on the threshold of human application of stem cell therapies for a class of neurological diseases known as myelin disorders -- a long list of diseases that include conditions such as multiple sclerosis, white matter stroke, cerebral palsy, certain dementias, and rare but fatal childhood disorders called pediatric leukodystrophies, experts say.

New insight into cognitive changes in multiple sclerosis

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 08:45:45 EDT

Researchers in Ireland have recently reported new insights into cognitive changes in multiple sclerosis, using newly developed signal processing methods.

Researchers a step closer to controlling inflammation in multiple sclerosis

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:16:16 EDT

New research suggests a possible new mechanism to control multiple sclerosis.

Low vitamin D levels linked to more severe multiple sclerosis symptoms

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 09:17:17 EDT

Low blood levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased number of brain lesions and signs of a more active disease state in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study finds, suggesting a potential link between intake of the vitamin and the risk of longer-term disability from the autoimmune disorder.

Two categories of multiple sclerosis patients defined

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:16:16 EDT

Medical researchers have found a way to distinguish patients with multiple sclerosis into two meaningful subsets.

Gingko biloba does not improve cognition in multiple sclerosis patients, study finds

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 13:31:31 EDT

Many people with multiple sclerosis for years have taken the natural supplement Gingko biloba, believing it helps them with cognitive problems associated with the disease. But the science now says otherwise. A new study says Gingko biloba does not improve cognitive performance in people with multiple sclerosis.

Ginkgo biloba doesn’t improve cognitive function in multiple sclerosis, research finds

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:30:30 EDT

A new study has found that the herbal supplement Ginkgo biloba does not improve cognitive function in patients with multiple sclerosis. Cognitive impairment affects 40-60% of people with MS, most commonly affecting their processing speed, memory, and executive skills.

Genetic clues to the causes of primary biliary cirrhosis: Researchers find new risk regions associated with primary biliary cirrhosis

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 15:02:02 EDT

Researchers have used a new technology to uncover three genetic regions associated with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), the most common autoimmune liver disease. With this technology, scientists will now be able to survey more thoroughly regions of the genome known to underlie other autoimmune diseases to discover if they play a role also in PBC susceptibility.

Discovery of immune cells that protect against multiple sclerosis offers hope for new treatment

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:20:20 EDT

Immune cells called dendritic cells, which were previously thought to contribute to the onset and development of multiple sclerosis, actually protect against the disease in a mouse model, according to a new study. These new insights change our fundamental understanding of the origins of multiple sclerosis and could lead to the development of more effective treatments for the disease.