100th Post!

This is my 100th post!  What a milestone!

Last Saturday was my local Walk MS - we had a great turnout and I was, again, reminded of just how blessed I am.  My husband, my parents, my boss, 2 co-workers/friends, and a high school friend all walked with me!  In addition, my high school friend, who is now a high school teacher and coach brought her varsity softball team out to walk AND they made t-shirts for our team!  It was so great to have so many friends/family supporting me by walking beside me!  I am constantly amazed at the incredible people in my life!  I have such a great family, great co-workers, and great friends who are always so supportive; I am truly blessed!  Also, my sister made a HUGE donation this year helping me reach my lofty $3000 fundraising goal!  Even though she lives too far away to walk with me, she is always super supportive of my efforts!  I also had a number of other great friends donate, helping me reach my goal - I am always overwhelmed at all of the support I get.  Sometimes I probably don't seem a appreciative as I am.  I am always trying to get people involved and raise as much as I can, and sometimes I don't always realize how burdensome that can be.  But, when I really reflect, I could not ask for more supportive friends and family.  Thank you to all who walked and thank you to all who donated!  I was able to surpass my personal fundraising goal and I think we will surpass our team fundraising goal (the totals are not final yet, but I am very confident)!  It means so much to me to raise money for research.  As all of my friends, family, and readers know, the ultimate goal is to end MS - to find a cure!  And we can do that, I really believe that!  I just hope that the cure comes within my lifetime!

Thanks to all who have supported me in all of the ways that you have!

Hello, Again

I know it has been awhile, but there is a reason, I promise!  Mostly exhaustion!  I am pregnant and off my meds so I have pregnancy exhaustion plus MS fatigue.  Overall, however, I have been feeling great!  I have to go to bed earlier, but I, luckily, bypassed most of the early-pregnancy nausea and my MS flare-ups have been minor and few and far between.  I feel very blessed!  I am 19 weeks along now and my husband and I couldn't be more excited to welcome our baby boy to this world sometime around the end of July!  I feel like all I do lately is eat, sleep and work, but it is good! 

We've had a lot going on at the society lately too - we had a booth set up at our local Women's Fair in February, which I worked.  We lost an amazing staff member, which was really sad, but we all understood her reasons for leaving and we wish her the best!  Our Walk MS event is less than a month away - March 31st!  So I have that going on as well.  If you are interested in donating, visit my personal page!  I have a fairly lofty goal this year and am starting to worry that I won't reach it.  I have 5 other team members - my faithful husband, my loving parents, and two great co-workers!  I am hoping that I can rope a few more people into participating, but we'll see. 

And now, MS news from my most recent MSF email:

BG-12 New Drug Application Submitted

Biogen has announced it has submitted a New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for marketing approval of BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate), an investigational oral therapy in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS. The regulatory submission was based on research in which BG-12 demonstrated significant reductions in MS disease activity coupled with favorable safety and tolerability – the Phase 3 DEFINE and CONFIRM studies.

In 2011, Biogen Idec announced positive data from DEFINE and CONFIRM, two global, placebo-controlled phase III clinical trials that evaluated 240 mg of BG-12, administered either twice a day or three times a day, for two years.
Biogen Idec says there are also plans to submit a Marketing Authorisation Application for BG-12 to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) within the coming days.

“The rapid submissions of our BG-12 regulatory packages, which integrated one of the largest placebo-controlled data sets for a filing in MS, reflect our commitment to bringing additional therapies to patients in need as quickly as possible,” says Douglas E. Williams, Ph.D., Biogen Idec’s executive vice president of Research and Development. “We anticipate hearing from regulatory authorities regarding the status and acceptance of our submissions within the next couple of months.”

 

 

Scientists Dismiss One Hypothesis on How MS Develops
One current hypothesis on how MS develops has recently been refuted by neuroimmunologists who studied myelin damage that was created in a new mouse model of the disease. They concluded that the death of oligodendrocytes (the cells that produce the myelin sheath) does not trigger MS.
With their research, the scientists say they have disproved the so-called "neurodegenerative hypothesis." This was based on their observations that certain patients exhibited characteristic myelin damage without a discernable immune attack. In their new hypothesis, the scientists assume that MS-triggering myelin damage occurs without the involvement of the immune system. In this scenario, the immune response against myelin would be the result – and not the cause – of this pathogenic process.
Using genetic tricks, the scientists induced myelin defects without alerting the immune defense. "At the beginning of our study, we found myelin damage that strongly resembled the previous observations in MS patients," explains Burkhard Becher, a professor at the University of Zurich. "However, not once were we able to observe an MS-like autoimmune disease."
To ascertain whether an active immune defense causes the disease based on a combination of an infection and myelin damage, the researchers conducted a variety of further experiments – without success. "We were unable to detect an MS-like disease – no matter how intensely we stimulated the immune system," says Ari Waisman, a professor from the University Medical Center Mainz. "We therefore consider the neurodegenerative hypothesis obsolete."
The teams involved in the study want to continue researching the cause and origins of MS. "In light of these and other new findings, research on the pathogenesis of MS is bound to concentrate less on the brain and more on the immune system in future," says Professor Thorsten Buch from the Technischen Universität München.

Thanks for reading!  

More on CCSVI

The following information on CCSVI research is published on the NMSS website:

Reports from seven multi-disciplinary teams investigating CCSVI (chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency) in MS indicate that they are making good progress toward providing essential data and critical analysis as these two-year projects move toward their completion. The studies were launched on July 1, 2010 with a more than $ 2.4 million commitment from the MS Society of Canada and the National MS Society (USA). The ongoing work by the seven teams will help inform the design of an early-phase clinical trial that is expected to launch in late spring 2012 with funding from the MS Society of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
The research teams have recruited and scanned a broad spectrum of people with MS and others to build understanding of who may be affected by CCSVI. In addition they are refining CCSVI imaging methods for accuracy and consistency to reliably validate the occurrence of CCSVI and understand its implications in the MS disease process. All of the seven teams are working under approvals from the required Institutional Review Boards in the U.S. or the Research Ethics Board in Canada, a first step established by regulatory authorities to protect human subjects involved in research projects.
Already more than 800 people have undergone scanning with various imaging technologies being used by the studies, including the Doppler ultrasound technology used by Dr. Paolo Zamboni and his collaborators, as well as magnetic resonance studies of the veins (MR venography), catheter venography, MRI scans of the brain, and clinical measures.
Representatives of each of the seven funded teams are part of the CIHR’s Scientific Expert Working Group. In November 2011 the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) announced the release of a Request for Proposals seeking grant applications from researchers to conduct an early-phase clinical trial in Canada to test the ability of a surgical procedure called balloon venoplasty to improve blood drainage in individuals with MS who have been identified as having CCSVI. The request for research proposals is a collaborative initiative between the CIHR and the MS Society of Canada. The working group will provide leadership and advice concerning the clinical trial, and will continue to monitor and analyze the data from the seven studies and other studies related to CCSVI and MS around the world.
Several teams have presented, or are planning to present, preliminary results at medical meetings. Because the studies employ rigorous blinding and controls designed to collect objective and comprehensive data, the full results of the ongoing research will be available only after completion of the studies which will involve more than 1300 people representing a spectrum of MS types, severities and durations, as well as individuals with other disease types and healthy controls.
“The research underway is significantly advancing our understanding of CCSVI and what its relationship might be to MS disease process,” notes Dr. Tim Coetzee, chief research officer at the National MS Society. Dr. Karen Lee, Vice President Research at the Canada MS Society, concurs, “We are pleased that our collaborations with the National MS Society and CIHR are moving us closer to the answers that people with MS need about CCSVI and MS.”
Details of Progress
The funded investigators, who are drawn from a broad range of disciplines ranging from MS neurology, vascular surgery and interventional radiology, report progress in establishing standardized protocols, recruiting and scanning participants and in the development of plans for sharing their findings, as summarized below.
• Dr. Brenda Banwell, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario
Dr. Banwell’s team is seeking confirmation for findings that Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency is a cause for MS. If impaired venous drainage occurs as a key part of the beginnings of the MS process, then venous abnormalities should be present even in the youngest MS patients. The team is now studying children and teenagers with MS to determine whether the venous system is abnormal in a population where the disease process is at a very early stage. Unlike adult MS patients, children are very unlikely to have any age-related changes in blood vessels, and do not have any of the adult-onset health conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, use of medications) that might complicate the ability to determine whether blood flow patterns are due to MS or other causes. Their ultrasound team has received training from Dr. Zivadinov’s group in Buffalo, and has created ultrasound and brain imaging procedures suited to explore venous drainage in children. They plan to assess 30 children with MS, 30 healthy children of the same age, and 30 “graduates” (young adults who experienced the onset of MS during childhood and who received care and prior brain imaging studies at the Hospital for Sick Children). Enrollment began in December 2010 and Dr. Banwell’s team has reported that it is going well. To ensure the highest standards of scientific accuracy, they intend to analyze their findings once all 90 participants have undergone the testing; which will help to determine whether impaired venous drainage is indeed a core component of MS.
• Dr. Fiona Costello, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
The University of Calgary team has initiated a prospective cross-sectional study to determine the association between ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) measures of venous outflow in MS patients. This study will evaluate 120 people with MS (including 65 with relapsing-remitting MS, 20 with secondary-progressive MS, 10 with primary-progressive MS, 10 with neuromyelitis optica, and 15 with pediatric MS) and 60 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. To date, 98 participants have been recruited. The main outcome measure will be the proportion of cases and controls with US and MRV evidence of extracranial venous outflow obstruction. Secondary outcomes will include MRI measures of brain inflammation, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, and extracranial US measures of venous wall thickening and jugular valve competence.
The team published a paper based on the cases of five people who had experienced medical complications after undergoing procedures focused on treatment of venous abnormalities: “Complications in MS Patients after CCSVI Procedures Abroad.” Burton JM, Alikhani K, Goyal M, Costello F, White C, Patry D, Bell R, Hill M. (Calgary, AB).

• Dr. Aaron Field, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison
Official approval of this study protocol was issued on June 28, 2011. The team continues to actively recruit study subjects from a database of approximately 100 MS patients who had contacted them since the study was first announced, as well as from the patient population seen regularly in their MS clinic. Thus far, 17 people with MS and 12 healthy controls have undergone both MRI/MRV and ultrasound imaging. No results are yet available as the study is blinded.
Since the previous progress report, Dr. Field was awarded a $27,000 grant from his institution to further investigate the novel MRI components of this study in healthy controls, particularly with regard to reliability and reproducibility. Specifically, they investigated (1) the use of a novel method to adjust venous flow measurements for variations related to breathing and heartbeat, (2) the use of a novel MRI method for measuring the iron content in brain tissue, and (3) the use of a relatively new, FDA-approved MRI contrast agent (a drug administered intravenously to enhance the visibility of blood vessels on MRI) that can enhance the visibility of head/neck veins and enable the measurement of blood flow through brain tissue. Ten healthy subjects underwent these components of the team’s CCSVI protocol twice, on separate days. Progress made in these studies includes:
• The team’s novel approach to measuring venous flow with MRI is able to detect clear differences in venous flow between inspiration and expiration, and demonstrates evidence of expiration-related reflux (backwards flow) in the jugular veins of healthy subjects.
• The team’s system of rating the degree of venous narrowing on MR images of the azygous and jugular veins yields comparable results when performed by different individuals.
• Their novel MRI method for measuring iron content in brain tissue provides reproducible results that are comparable to previously described methods of iron measurement, with fewer technical pitfalls.
• A single dose of a relatively new MRI contrast agent is sufficient to enhance the visibility of head/neck veins and generate reproducible maps of blood flow through the brain. (It would normally require two separate doses of a conventional contrast agent to accomplish both of these objectives.)
These investigations have yielded two abstracts presented or to be presented at national/international imaging meetings:
“Comprehensive assessment of cerebral venous return with MRA: preliminary results.” Wieben O, Johnson K, Schrauben E, Reeder S, Field A. 23rd annual meeting of the “MRA Club” (International Magnetic Resonance Angiography Workshop), Calgary, Alberta, Canada, September 25-28, 2011.
“The importance of the sonographer in the investigation of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency.” Kohn S, Kliewer K, Field AS. American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) Annual Convention, Phoenix, AZ, March 29-April 1, 2012.
In addition, three abstracts have been submitted for consideration for the American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR) 50th Annual Meeting, New York, NY, April 21-26, 2012, and two have been submitted for the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) 20th Annual Meeting & Exhibition, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, May 5-11, 2012.
• Dr. Robert Fox, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland
Dr. Fox’s team continues to use MR venography, ultrasound, MRI and clinical measures in people with MS or who are at risk for MS (CIS) and comparison groups to evaluate vein drainage. The ultrasound team, which underwent training in the technique originally used by Dr. Zamboni, found several aspects of the published methodology ambiguous, and they have standardized the protocol and analysis to achieve consistent results.
Early on they identified physiological and technical factors that can complicate screening for vein blockages using ultrasound, including that heartbeat irregularities, stages of breathing, head position and pressure applied by the operator could alter results; and that the state of hydration of the subject (whether they drank adequate amounts of fluids) might impact results of several of the criteria used to determine CCSVI.
The team reported at the international ECTRIMS/ACTRIMS congress in October 2011 preliminary results of ultrasound assessments. Pooling the results of the ongoing, blinded study of CCSVI in MS and non-MS controls, they reported results from the first 20 subjects, finding that 6 (30%) met criteria for CCSVI, four subjects met no criteria, and none met criteria for reverted postural control of cerebral venous outflow. Nine subjects (45%) had a flap and/or septum/abnormal valve. Identifi¬cation of deep cerebral vein reflux depended upon the ultrasound technique. They noted that this finding highlights the importance of ultrasound methodology in performing and interpreting deep cerebral vein assessments. (P1104 – “Ultrasound assessment of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency.” R. Fox, L. Baus, C. Diaconu, A. Grattan, I. Katzan, S. Kim, M. Lu, L. Raber, A. Rae-Grant)
At the same ECTRIMS/ACTRIMS meeting, the team shared preliminary results from an ongoing study of vein structure in autopsy specimens from seven people who had MS in their lifetimes, compared to six people who did not have MS. In this unblinded study, they identified abnormalities inside the vein tubes (lumen) that drain the brain and found a variety of structural abnormalities and anatomic variations in both groups. However, they reported higher frequency of abnormalities in those who had MS (2 abnormalities in 2 out of 6 controls versus 9 abnormalities in 6 out of 7 MS patients). They noted that MR venography may be less effective than ultrasound for identifying these venous abnormalities, and that ultrasound that examines only vein wall circumference may miss some intraluminal abnormalities. (Abstract 134 – “Anatomical and histological analysis of venous structures associated with chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency.” C. Diaconu, S. Staugaitis, J. McBride, C. Schwanger, A. Rae-Grant, R. Fox)
• Dr. Carlos Torres, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ontario
The team began phase 1 of their project which consists of imaging with MRI the veins of the head and neck of 100 people without MS. MR venography is also being performed to obtain normative data that will allow the team to better understand the normal anatomy and variants of the veins before they begin to examine the veins of the subjects and controls.
So far, they have performed this additional sequence in 85 people and expect to complete the target of 100 within the next 2 weeks. Further, they have gathered MRI studies of 30 people with a specific sequence that allows them to measure the amount of iron in the brain. The iron deposits are being quantified by an MR Physicist.
In order to perform the ultrasound studies of the veins in the head and neck the same way they were done as described by Dr. Zamboni, the team received training in Vancouver from an experienced group who received training in Italy. Two sonographers and a radiologist traveled to Vancouver and received appropriate training on the technique in mid-May.
In early September, the team reported that they successfully started phase 2 of the study recruiting subjects and controls through the Ottawa Hospital MS Research Unit. Since then, they have recruited a total of 30 people with MS (with relapsing-remitting, primary-progressive or secondary-progressive MS) and 30 controls (60 total), who have undergone both a contrast enhanced MRI and an ultrasound of the veins of the head and neck. The team is currently scanning approximately 4 people with MS and 4 controls per week. They expect to complete recruitment and begin analysis of the data by mid February 2012.
• Dr. Anthony Traboulsee, UBC Hospital MS Clinic, UBC Faculty of Medicine and Dr. Katherine Knox, Saskatoon MS Clinic, University of Saskatchewan
This team is conducting their study at two centers (UBC Hospital, Vancouver, BC and Saskatoon City Hospital, Saskatoon, Sask.) and the goal is to recruit up to 200 subjects. Imaging protocols have been both developed and tested and the group is very satisfied with the quality of their results. Their ultrasound technologists were trained by Dr. Zamboni to perform the ultrasound testing in a similar way. There is no previous standardized venography protocol for looking at neck veins.
Recruitment is now closed at the University of British Columbia site, and will be closing soon at the Saskatoon site. All investigations are expected to be completed in March 2012. The team plans to do the preliminary analysis by April 2012. Analysis will occur in stages, starting with the catheter venography and ultrasound data, then the MR venography results will be reviewed.
The team reported that the level of interest and response rate remained high throughout recruitment. The UBC site recruited 110. At the Saskatoon site, 70 subjects have been recruited and are at various stages of the protocol. All investigators remain blinded to the status of the subjects and do not have any preliminary results to report at this time.
• Dr. Jerry Wolinsky, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
The team reports that they have recruited about 82% of the expected study cohort. The cumulative number of volunteers recruited from study inception includes: 10 Healthy Volunteers; 34 Other Neurological Diseases; 22 Stroke/TIA; 12 CIS; 112 relapsing-remitting MS; 44 secondary-progressive MS; 1 progressive-relapsing MS; 15 primary-progressive MS. Of people with MS or CIS, 45 have undergone MR venography with advance MRI. In addition, to date 10 people with MS have consented to transluminal venography, 2 are scheduled for study and 4 have completed the procedure without complications. No therapeutic interventions are considered in these investigations.
Dr. Wolinsky and the team’s MR vascular expert, Dr. Larry Kramer, are members of the MS Scientific Expert Working Group established by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), in collaboration with the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada, and additional team members have participated in the meetings and provided advice to the CIHR as requested.
A summary of the team’s preliminary work was presented as a poster at the international ECTRIMS/ACTRIMS congress in October 2011. They used Doppler technology to evaluate venous drainage in a blinded fashion. They reported that of all participants, 48/162 fulfilled at least one of five criteria for anomalous venous outflow proposed by Dr. Zamboni; 10/48 fulfilled two criteria consistent with CCSVI; none fulfilled more than 2 criteria. There was no significant difference between people with MS and non-MS, or within MS subgroups. They also found no significant differences between MS and non-MS subjects for measures of cross-sectional areas of the internal jugular veins or for venous flow rates. The team concluded that thus far they find less CCSVI than previously reported by other groups. They are now focusing on whether ultrasound can be complemented or supplanted by MRV and/or transluminal venography. (P1108 -- “Prospective, case‐control study of CCSVI with imaging‐blinded assessment: progress report focused on neurosonography.” Barreto AD, Brod SA, Bui T, Jamelka J, Kramer LA, Ton K, Cohen AM, Lindsey JW, Nelson F, Narayana PA, Wolinsky JS (2011).
In addition, two abstracts have been submitted for consideration for the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology to be held in late April 2012.
Going Forward
These seven teams were chosen by an international panel of experts that included specialists drawn from all key relevant disciplines including radiology, vascular surgery and neurology. The projects were selected for having the greatest potential to quickly and comprehensively determine the significance of CCSVI in the MS disease process.

At this 18-month milepost, the investigators are making significant progress on their overall two-year study goals. Some of the teams are presenting preliminary results at medical meetings, and all have shared technical advice so that the projects can move forward as smoothly and quickly as possible. Their results will help guide the development of an early-phase clinical trial to test whether treating vein blockages may be safe and effective in treating people with MS. The trial should launch in late spring 2012 with funding from the MS Society of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
The next update on the work of the seven grantees will be reported in six months.

Blog Anniversary!

Today is my blog's one year anniversary!  It has been a great ride so far and I hope to continue giving updates and reporting on the ongoing research.  Things are going well for me right now - I have been in remission for about a year now (with a few slight flare ups here and there).  I am very pleased with my condition at this point and hope that I can continue feeling this well.

I have signed up for Walk MS which will occur in March - click here to visit my personal page.  I hope to surpass my fundraising goal from last year - I hope that I make it (I am fearful that my goal is too lofty). My local MS Society chapter has already had two events this year and both have been really great!  I am excited about what this year will bring!

And now, MORE news on Vitamin D from the NMSS website:

Researchers and clinicians from around the globe gathered recently in Chicago to develop strategies for testing whether vitamin D supplements can prevent the development of MS. Participants discussed the latest findings relevant to vitamin D and MS and potential clinical trial designs, taking the first steps to making these exciting studies a reality. “Vitamin D and MS Prevention: An International Workshop,” was chaired by Colleen E. Hayes, PhD (University of Wisconsin-Madison) and Anne-Louise Ponsonby, PhD (Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Canberra Australia), and was funded by the National MS Society.
Background: Research is increasingly pointing to a reduced level of vitamin D in the blood as a risk factor for developing MS. Years ago, MS researchers wondered why MS occurs less often in regions of the world where exposure to sunlight is high. Dr. Hayes – a professor of biochemistry and microbiology – and colleagues suggested that vitamin D, which is made by cells in the skin in response to sunlight, may suppress the immune response involved in MS. She and others have since shown that in lab mice, vitamin D can reduce the effects of EAE, an MS-like disease.
Epidemiologic studies (studies of who gets MS) have backed up laboratory studies. Dr. Ponsonby – an epidemiologist and public health physician – was a co-author of the Ausimmune Study, a comprehensive Australian study that showed that higher levels of sun exposure and higher blood levels of vitamin D were both associated with decreased risk of having a first demyelinating event, often the first indicator of subsequent MS.
The National MS Society has led the way in pursuing this avenue of MS research, funding much of Dr. Hayes’ work, first funding the Ausimmune study, and now, a new clinical trial testing whether vitamin D can reduce disease activity in people who have MS. Read more on clinicaltrials.gov.
The Meeting: Participants included experts in vitamin D studies, immunology, statistics, epidemiology, clinical MS research, pediatric MS, and MS biomarkers. The group began by bringing its vast experience to bear in discussing the promise and potential pitfalls of conducting “primary prevention studies” using vitamin D to potentially prevent MS before it occurs.
“We are people from all over the world and we have one common purpose – to stop this disease,” noted Dr. Hayes. “The research that has been done by the people in this room and others provides us with strong evidence that vitamin D may help.”
Alberto Ascherio, MD, DrPH (Harvard School of Public Health) and colleagues have published pivotal studies relating to several MS risk factors. His 2006 study  – supported by the Society – compared levels of vitamin D in blood serum stored from military personnel during their service, and found that those with higher levels of vitamin D were at lower risk for later developing multiple sclerosis. Dr. Ascherio noted a major concern about designing vitamin D studies, based on his research. “Compliance is likely to be a major obstacle,” he said. “You have to worry about people in the placebo group that might take vitamin D anyway, and make the study powerful enough to account for that.”
George Ebers, MD, FRCP(C) (University of Oxford) reported on findings “hot off the press” – his team recently confirmed an association between MS and a gene linked to vitamin D. Dr. Ebers cautioned that before beginning a study, “You absolutely need to know what the rate of MS is in your country,” noting that the reported rates of MS is increasing in some areas.
Dr. Hayes reviewed basic research that could have a strong impact on planned studies. For example, female mice treated with vitamin D are protected from MS-like disease, but not male mice. “Normal estrogen may be essential for vitamin D benefits,” she said. Also, her research points to the immune messenger protein interleukin-10 as being essential for vitamin D protection from MS-like disease in mice. “Anything that destroys that pathway may undermine a treatment trial,” said Dr. Hayes.
Jorge Correale, MD (Raul Carrea Institute for Neurological Research Argentina) discussed his research on the immune response and vitamin D. “Vitamin D is particularly reduced during relapses in people with MS,” he said, noting that administering vitamin D to cells isolated from people with MS resulted in modulation of immune “T cells” which have been previously implicated in MS activity. He noted that cells that reduce inflammation are activated by vitamin D and those that promote inflammation are suppressed.
Reinhold Vieth, PhD, FCACB (University of Toronto) has been studying vitamin D for decades. His team’s findings show that this vitamin is associated with decreased PSA (a marker for prostate cancer), and a decreased risk of breast cancer. His experience provided numerous important considerations for conducting vitamin D prevention trials in MS. “Vitamin D binding protein [a protein that helps to transport the vitamin within the body] acts as a safety buffer to prevent toxicity,” he said. “It protects the body from having too much vitamin D.” Dr. Vieth works with the team that found vitamin D supplements to be safe in small, early study of people with MS.
Co-chair Dr. Ponsonby encouraged participants with her review of similar efforts undertaken to combat other diseases such as folate supplementation to mothers in pregnancy to prevent spina bifida. “I remember being at a primary prevention meeting in the early 1990’s ,like this one, to talk about sudden infant death syndrome prevention, which was taking one in 250 children in Tasmania at that time,” she said. “I thought, ‘How are we going to get this done?’ Five years later, it felt so good to be at another meeting, talking about how, after changes in health recommendation, the rate of SIDS had decreased by up to 70% in several countries.”
Future Steps: After reviewing data and hearing from statisticians and clinicians about the feasibility and expense of primary prevention studies, participants agreed to look at three study designs. The next steps are to submit a report based on the summit to a peer reviewed journal, and to begin the process of designing and seeking funding for the proposed prevention trials.
Timothy Coetzee, PhD, chief research officer of the National MS Society, complimented Drs. Hayes, Ponsonby, and colleagues on the “audaciousness” of their efforts. “Can we end MS by something as simple as vitamin D supplementation? This goal is as big as they come, but it fits right into the Society’s bold commitment to do everything possible to free the world of MS.”

 Always amazed at all of the Vitamin D correlations and continued research.  Guess I will continue taking Vitamin D supplements!

Update

So far, I am doing well with my resolution.  My husband and I have gone to the gym three times per week since signing up at the Y.  Plus, I have done at least 30 minutes of cardio each time! 

In other news, my local NMSS chapter is having a kick-off event for Walk MS season on Tuesday and I have been asked to speak - to tell my story and why I walk.  I have an outline made (not sure I really need it - my story is one that is imbedded in my brain).  I am very excited and honored to speak this year!

Now, in MS news; the following comes from the most recent MSF emailer:

Advanced Technology Makes MS Easier to Track

Using a powerful, triple strength MRI to track increasing levels of iron found in brain tissue, medical researchers at the University of Alberta in Canada have discovered a new way to follow the progression of MS in those living with the disease.
Among their observations: Iron levels in people with MS are increasing in grey matter areas of the brain that are responsible for relaying messages. Also, high iron levels in a specific "relay area" were noted in those who had physical disabilities associated with MS.
Iron is very important for normal function of the brain and the amount of iron is a tightly controlled system by the brain tissue. The discovery suggests there is a problem with the control system. Too much iron can be toxic to brain cells and high levels of iron in the brain have been associated with various neurodegenerative diseases. But to date, no tests have been able to quantify or measure iron in living brain.
Twenty-two people with MS took part in the study, along with 22 people who did not have the condition.
Using this new MRI method would give physicians a new way to measure the effectiveness of new treatments for people with MS by watching the impact on iron levels. This opens up the idea of having a new biomarker, a new way of looking at the disease over time, watching the disease, seeing the progression or lack of progression of the disease, and a new way to track it, the researchers said.
The new MRI method, which uses a machine that is 90,000 times the strength of the earth's magnetic field, will give physicians more detail and information about the impact of MS on the brain, insight that doctors and researchers didn't have before.

Stimulating Natural Interferon-B Production May Combat MS

Some people with MS have successfully slowed progression of the disease using an FDA-approved interferon-b (INFb) medication. Now researchers in Germany are investigating the use of ribonucleic acid (RNA) to stimulate the body’s own production of the IFNb protein, thereby switching off the MS attack.
RNA is one of the three major macromolecules (along with DNA and proteins) that are essential for all known forms of life.
Marco Prinz at the University of Freiburg, Germany, and colleagues took mice genetically modified to present symptoms of MS and injected them with RNA. The mice showed "rapid improvement" with a decrease in tail weakness and paralysis over the following 48 hours. Increased IFNb appeared to slow the development of T-cells - immune cells that may play a key role in MS, the researchers reported.
Around 80 percent of people with MS treated with injections of IFNb develop antibodies that reduce the efficacy of the protein. Getting the body to generate its own IFNb neatly dodges the antibody problem, according to the researchers.

All for now.  Hope all is well!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!  I hope 2012 brings great things!  Hopefully, 2012 will bring the MS community more exciting research, new therapies for ALL types of MS, and leaps closer to a cure.  

In the new year, I resolve to be more active.  My husband and I signed up for a membership with the YMCA.  We had a membership before, but during the time when I was experiencing my first symptoms but before my diagnosis, it became difficult to workout because of the numbness and tingling.  We ended that membership during the fall of 2010, around the time I was diagnosed.  Since then, our "workouts" have mostly consisted of walks around the neighborhood.  Since I have been feeling well for the past year (with a few minor flare-ups in the interim), we decided it was time to get back on the proverbial horse.  I bought a "fitness" swimsuit and plan to do pool workouts to try to avoid heat-induced flare-ups.  Since we signed up a week ago, we have already gone to the Y three times.  I have not started the pool work yet, but plan to this week.  Our NMSS local chapter has a wellness theme this year and in keeping with that, my goal is to get/stay fit and healthy. 

What is your resolution?

In news, researchers have confirmed a link between MS and a gene linked to vitamin D deficiency.  To read more, click here.  I knew that I was smart to be taking vitamin D supplements.  I had my levels checked and was low - I definitely believe that there is a critical link between vitamin D and MS - this research seems to confirm that!

Long Time, No Post

Sorry for the recent delay in posting.  I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!  My whole family got together which was great!  I have kept very busy lately, so I haven't had many chances to get on here to post.  Also, our computer got a virus, so we had to fix that before I could post.

And now, some news from the NMSS website:

The company Opexa Therapeutics (The Woodlands, TX) announced that the experimental therapy Tovaxin® has been designated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a “Fast Track Product” for the treatment of secondary-progressive MS. Tovaxin is a personalized vaccine that aims to induce immunity against T cells that attack the brain and spinal cord in MS. It uses a person’s own immune cells, which are removed, manipulated, and then reintroduced by under the skin injections. The Fast Track designation may expedite its future review by the FDA after the company submits results of future phase III trials. The company is planning to begin a Phase IIb clinical trial of Tovaxin in secondary-progressive MS “subject to securing the necessary resources,” according to a November 8, 2011 press release.
Results so far: A one-year, multi-center trial of Tovaxin was conducted in 140 people with relapsing-remitting MS and 10 people who had experienced a neurological episode that put them at possible risk for being diagnosed with MS. The TERMS study found Tovaxin to be safe, but did not achieve statistical significance in the primary endpoint evaluating the cumulative number of active MRI lesions in those on active therapy versus those on placebo (Multiple Sclerosis, published online November 6). Analyzing a subset of participants after the study, investigators found that Tovaxin stabilized or reduced disability as measured by the EDSS scale, and the average number of relapses in a year.
Tovaxin is a trademark of Opexa Pharmaceutics.

This is VERY exciting because its focus is secondary-progressive MS rather than relapsing-remitting, which is what most therapies treat. Another article off of the NMSS website:

Genzyme has announced that the experimental intravenous therapy alemtuzumab (with a proposed brand name Lemtrada™) met two primary endpoints by significantly reducing relapse rates and the worsening of disability in a two-year study comparing alemtuzumab to standard subcutaneous dosing of Rebif® (interferon beta-1a, EMD Serono Inc. and Pfizer). The study, called CARE-MS II, involved 840 people with relapsing-remitting MS. The results were announced in a November 14, 2011 press release, which also indicated that the company plans to apply in early 2012 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for marketing approval. Data analysis is ongoing and the company expects to provide a full report at an upcoming medical meeting. Alemtuzumab has been designated by the FDA as a “Fast Track Product,” which should expedite its future review.
Background: MS involves immune system attacks against brain and spinal cord tissues. Alemtuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed at CD52 (a protein on the surface of immune cells) that is currently approved for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Its ability to target immune cells led investigators to test its potential as a treatment for relapsing-remitting MS. In an earlier phase II study comparing two dose levels of alemtuzumab with Rebif in 334 subjects with relapsing-remitting MS, those taking alemtuzumab had a 74% reduction in the risk of MS relapse compared with those on Rebif, and a 71% reduction in the risk for sustained worsening of disability (New England Journal of Medicine 2008 359;17:30-45).
Dosing was temporarily suspended in the Phase II study due to the occurrence of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a rare condition in which low blood platelet counts can lead to abnormal bleeding. After the first cases of ITP occurred, one of which was fatal, Genzyme implemented a patient safety monitoring program which includes patient and physician education and regular contacts with patients.
Investigators recently reported on another phase III trial of alemtuzumab. The two-year CARE-MS-I phase III trial compared alemtuzumab against Rebif in 581 people with early relapsing-remitting MS. The study met one of two primary endpoints by reducing relapse rates by 55% over Rebif, but did not meet its second primary endpoint of slowing disease progression compared to Rebif. (Abstract #151, ECTRIMS 2011)
This Study: In the CARE-MS II study, 840 people with relapsing-remitting MS, who had experienced relapse while on a prior therapy, were randomly assigned to receive alemtuzumab or Rebif. Alemtuzumab was given by intravenous infusion for 5 days initially and for 3 days one year later. Those on Rebif received the standard dose of 3-times weekly subcutaneous injections. According to the company press release, after two years the relapse rate of those on alemtuzumab was reduced by 49% compared to those on Rebif, and the risk of sustained worsening of disability (as measured by the EDSS scale) was reduced by 42% compared to Rebif. (These were the primary endpoints of the study.)
According to the press release, approximately 16% of those treated with alemtuzumab developed autoimmune thyroid-related problems and approximately 1% developed ITP. All cases were detected early through a monitoring program and managed with conventional therapies. Other common adverse events associated with alemtuzumab included reactions associated with infusions (such as headache, rash, fever, flushing, hives and chills). The most common infections in those treated with alemtuzumab (all mild to moderate) were upper respiratory and urinary tract infections, sinusitis and herpes simplex infections.
Comment: The completion of this second Phase III trial of alemtuzumab is a milestone that paves the way for the company to apply to the FDA for marketing approval. Full details and evaluation of this study should help define the safety and promise of alemtuzumab as a potential new therapy for relapsing MS.

Love the ongoing research; I remain optimistic that a cure will come in my lifetime!  So many advances have been made in just the past decade alone!

Happy Veteran's Day + BG-12 Update

First, I want to thank the veterans for their service and dedication to our country, our safety, and our freedom!  

With that said, I attended an MS dinner/presentation last night about Stress and MS.  I cannot say that I really learned anything new, but it was a good reminder to keep stressors in check and to be sure to have a good coping system.  Life is stressful, MS adds extra stress, and we need to be able to have coping mechanisms in place to minimize the affects of stress.

Now for the BG-12 update (from the NMSS website):

Biogen Idec announced that the experimental oral therapy BG-12 significantly reduced the average number of annual MS relapses in a two-year, Phase III clinical trial of more than 1400 people with relapsing-remitting MS. Although its exact mode of action is not known, BG-12 is thought to inhibit immune cells and molecules involved in MS attacks on the brain and spinal cord. The results of the CONFIRM study were announced in an October 26 press release. Data analysis is ongoing and the company expects to provide a full report at an upcoming medical meeting. Positive results from another Phase 3 trial of BG-12 were also announced this year, paving the way for a potential application for marketing approval.

Background: Multiple sclerosis involves immune system attacks against brain and spinal cord tissues. Although its exact mechanism of action is not known, BG-12, an oral drug, is thought to inhibit immune cells and molecules and may be protective against damage to the brain and spinal cord. In an earlier phase II study, compared to inactive placebo, the highest tested BG-12 dose led to a 69% reduction in gadolinium-enhanced (a contrast agent) disease activity on MRI scans from weeks 12 to 24. Earlier in 2011, Biogen Idec announced positive results in another phase III study, the DEFINE trial. Further details on these results were presented at the joint meeting of the European and Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in MS (ECTRIMS/ACTRIMS) last week.

This Study: The primary goal of the CONFIRM study was to determine whether BG-12 could reduce the average annual MS relapse rate at two years. Secondary objectives included assessing BG-12’s effects on the proportion of people who had relapses, disability progression, and disease activity detected by MRI. Safety and tolerability were also assessed.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups receiving different oral doses (240 mg twice each day and 240 mg three times each day), a group receiving glatiramer acetate (Copaxone®, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, an approved, injected therapy for MS) or a group receiving placebo. Both BG-12 groups and Copaxone were compared to the placebo groups, but not to each other.

According to the press release, in both groups taking BG-12, the primary endpoint was met; the average number of MS relapses in a year was reduced by 44% versus placebo in the lower-dose group, 51% in the higher-dose group, and 29% in the Copaxone group. Disease activity on MRI and the proportion of patients experiencing relapses also were reduced significantly more in the BG-12 groups versus placebo. Disability progression was not reduced significantly more in the BG-12 groups than in the placebo group. According to the press release, the most common adverse events in the BG-12 groups were flushing and gastrointestinal events.

Comment: Full details and evaluation of this study should help to define further the safety and promise of BG-12 as a potential therapy for relapsing MS. According to the company press release, these positive results set the stage for upcoming filings for marketing approval from drug regulatory agencies.

It is so exciting to learn that another oral therapy is doing well!  Hopefully soon, injections will be a thing of the past for all of us.  In the meantime, stick with what works.

Too Long

It has been too long since I last posted and, for that, I am sorry.  I have been a little down lately and I haven't had the motivation to post.  I guess I am finally realizing what it means to have relapsing-remitting MS.  I have been experiencing some numbness, tingling, and L'Hermittes intermittently lately and it has been frustrating.  I had been doing very well with little to no symptoms at all, but lately I have noticed some flare ups.  I am still much better off than I could be and I am grateful for that, but I was really enjoying being in complete remission.  Relapses suck, even the less severe relapses.  My "flare ups" have not been particularly bad (nothing like my symptoms before beginning treatment), but they are noticeable, which is enough to put me in a bit of a funk. 
I did go for a run for the first time since my diagnosis.  I am trying to get back into a workout routine so I went for a jog and my entire lower half was numb by the end, plus I was experiencing L'Hermittes pretty bad.  Will continue to jog for awhile and hope that my symptoms don't get any worse.  I just need to stay as cool as possible (with winter on the way, that shouldn't be too difficult). 

In other news, a dog park just opened up about 2.5 miles from our house, so we took our puppy there today.  He was in doggy heaven; he loves playing with other dogs.  He listened well and played nice, so it was definitely a success!  We will have to take him back soon.

Enough about me.  A recent study found that "subjects who were born by Caesarean section had a significantly higher risk of developing MS. The authors conclude that their results suggest those born by vaginal delivery are at a lower risk of subsequent MS, but that much larger and preferably prospective studies are needed."  This is very interesting to me; I am not sure how this would affect risk of developing MS, but apparently it may be a contributing factor.

For a limited time only, every donation made to the NMSS is doubled. Go to the NMSS website today to make a donation!!!

A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That

Random excerpts from my MSIF e-mailers:

A good reason to find a doctor that you like: An "study from Italy found that a good physician-patient relationship improves both patient satisfaction and adherence to long-term therapy."

A randomized trial of new drug, Simvastatin, "involved giving 80 mg Simvastatin daily for six months to people with optic neuritis. The results suggest that this is well tolerated and possibly effective in patients with acute optic neuritis."

"Alemtuzumab, a candidate treatment for MS, has the potential side effect of autoimmune disease. In this study, the authors analyse both clinical and serological data of patients with MS treated with alemtuzumab. It was found that autoimmune disease developed in 22.2% of those treated with a range of different systems affected."



And now, from the NMSS website, What Causes MS in Kids?:

Investigators nationwide are recruiting 640 children with early relapsing-remitting MS or CIS (clinically isolated syndrome, a single episode of MS-like symptoms) and 1280 children without MS or CIS for a four-year study to determine environmental and genetic risk factors that make children susceptible to developing MS. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, leverages the National MS Society’s support of the Promise:2010 Pediatric Network of Centers of Excellence.
Background: This study takes advantage of the collaborative efforts of the Pediatric Network. Although the initial grants end this year, there is funding through 2012 to support a data coordination and analysis center so the Network can continue to collect data and study pediatric MS and related disorders. The Network produced over 150 papers, posters and presentations on pediatric MS and network members are the lead authors and editors of a textbook on Pediatric MS from Cambridge Press.
The five-year, $3.2 million grant to lead investigator Dr. Emmanuelle Waubant (University of California, San Francisco Pediatric MS Center) from the NIH is based on pilot data collected by the Network in a study of 180 children with MS. That study confirmed previous reports that the Epstein-Barr virus (which causes infectious mononucleosis and other disorders) was associated with higher risk of MS. They also reported that cytomegalovirus was associated with a lower risk of developing MS, and that herpes simplex virus type 1was associated with increased risk in children who did not have a specific immune-related gene. (Neurology 2011;76:1989–1995)
These findings and other factors are being investigated further in the new study, which should help us understand more about how MS begins in children and can eventually be applied to adult forms of MS. Read more about what triggers MS.
The Study: Those under age 18 who had disease onset (MS or CIS) in the last two years may enroll in this study with the consent of their parents. Children without MS or CIS can enroll if they are 19 or younger and don’t have a demyelinating disease or an autoimmune disorder (except asthma).
Participants are providing blood samples to test for genetic and environmental risk factors that may be associated with pediatric MS. Next, all participants are completing questionnaires about relevant environmental factors. Investigators also will draw information from participants’ medical records.
Investigators specifically are looking at genes, Epstein Barr and other common viruses, vitamin D levels, and exposure to cigarette smoking. They are attempting to confirm these risk factors separately and to determine whether there are any interactions between them.

It would be great to have more answers!

Phase III Trial Results (Alemtuzumab & Laquinimod)

From the NMSS's website, the results of Phase III trials:

First, Alemtuzumab:

Sanofi and its subsidiary Genzyme have announced that the experimental intravenous therapy alemtuzumab (with a proposed brand name Lemtrada,™) met one of two primary endpoints by significantly reducing relapse rates in a two-year study comparing two annual cycles of alemtuzumab against standard subcutaneous dosing of Rebif^® (interferon beta-1a, EMD Serono Inc. and Pfizer). The study, called CARE-MS I, involved 581 people with early relapsing-remitting MS. The study did not meet its second primary endpoint of slowing disease progression compared to Rebif. The results were announced in July 11 press release. Data analysis is ongoing and the company expects to provide a full report at an upcoming medical meeting. Another trial of alemtuzumab, called CARE-MS-II, is currently underway.
Background: Multiple sclerosis involves immune system attacks against brain and spinal cord tissues. Alemtuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed at CD52 (a protein on the surface of immune cells) that is currently approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Its ability to target immune cells led investigators to test its potential as a treatment for relapsing-remitting MS. An earlier phase II study compared two dose levels of alemtuzumab with Rebif in 334 subjects with relapsing-remitting MS who had never taken any other disease-modifying therapies. Those taking alemtuzumab had a 74% reduction in the risk of MS relapse compared with those on Rebif, and a 71% reduction in the risk for sustained accumulation of disability (New England Journal of Medicine 2008 359;17: 30-45).
Dosing was temporarily suspended in the Phase II study due to the occurrence of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a rare condition in which low blood platelet counts can lead to abnormal bleeding. After the first cases of ITP occurred, one of which was fatal, Genzyme implemented a patient safety monitoring program which includes patient and physician education and regular contacts with patients. Two phase III studies comparing alemtuzumab with Rebif were then launched.
In June 2010, it was announced that alemtuzumab had been designated by the FDA as a “Fast Track Product.” This designation should expedite its future review by the FDA after the company submits results of the phase III trials. The press release stated that the company expects to file for regulatory approval of alemtuzumab for MS in early 2012.
This Study: In the CARE-MS I study, approximately 581 people with early, active relapsing-remitting MS, who had never received disease-modifying therapy to treat their MS, were randomly assigned to receive alemtuzumab or Rebif. Alemtuzumab was given by intravenous infusion for 5 days initially and for 3 days one year later. Those on Rebif received the standard dose of 3-times weekly subcutaneous injections. According to the press release, after two years the relapse rate of those on alemtuzumab was reduced by 55 percent compared to those on Rebif. After two years, 8 percent of those on alemtuzumab had an increase in their EDSS score (a standard scale of physical disability) compared to 11 percent on Rebif – a difference that was not statistically significant.
According to the press release, the most common adverse event associated with alemtuzumab in the CARE-MS I study included reactions associated with infusions (such as headache, rash, fever, flushing, hives and chills). There were more infections in those taking alemtuzumab, predominantly mild to moderate, and there were no fatal infections. Less than 20 percent on alemtuzumab developed autoimmune thyroid-related problems and less than one percent developed ITP.
In the ongoing CARE-MS II study, approximately 1200 subjects at over 250 study sites have been randomly assigned to receive one of two alemtuzumab treatment regimens, or Rebif.
Comment: These positive results are the first reported from this Phase III study of alemtuzumab. Full details and evaluation of this study, and from another Phase III study now underway, should help define the safety and promise of alemtuzumab as a potential new therapy for relapsing MS.

Next,  Laquinimod:

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Active Biotech announced in a press release that the phase III BRAVO study, in which the experimental oral drug laquinimod was tested against inactive placebo in a study involving over 1300 people with relapsing-remitting MS, did not reach its primary goal of reducing the average number of relapses in a year. However, when the investigators adjusted the data to correct for differences in magnetic resonance imaging characteristics at the start of the study, a significant reduction in average annual relapse rate was observed in the group receiving the laquinimod. Further analysis is ongoing, and the results are being submitted for presentation at a scientific meeting later this year. The companies state that they plan to submit applications to regulatory authorities for the treatment of MS in the United States and European Union.
Background: Multiple sclerosis occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks nerve fiber-insulating myelin and other brain and spinal cord tissues. Laquinimod is a monoclonal antibody believed to affect the immune attack. In an earlier phase II study involving 306 people with relapsing-remitting MS, oral laquinimod reduced disease activity by 40.4% compared with inactive placebo. (Lancet 2008; 371: 2085–92) In one phase III study – the ALLEGRO study – laquinimod reduced the annual relapse rate in those completing the trial by 23%, compared to those on placebo. (Late-Breaking News – American Academy of Neurology, 2011)
The Study: In the BRAVO study, participants were randomly assigned to receive either laquinimod 0.6 mg (one capsule daily), inactive placebo, or Avonex® (interferon beta-1a, Biogen Idec) 30 mcg/wk for 24 months. The primary goal of the study was to determine the effect of laquinimod on the rate of relapses. Secondary goals included impacts on disease activity as observed on MRI scans, and accumulation of disability. Laquinimod was not directly compared to Avonex, but just to the inactive placebo.
Laquinimod did not reduce the annualized relapse rate significantly more than placebo. According to the press release, there were differences in MRI characteristics between the treatment groups at the beginning of the study, and when the data were adjusted to account for these differences, laquinimod was found to reduce annualized relapse rate, disability progression (as measured by the EDSS scale of disease activity), and brain tissue volume loss significantly more than placebo. No details were released related to safety, except to state that “laquinimod demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile compared to placebo.”
According to the companies, further analysis is ongoing, and the results are being submitted for presentation at a scientific meeting later in the year. The companies plan to submit applications to regulatory authorities for the treatment of MS in the United States and European Union. The complete data from the BRAVO and ALLEGRO studies should help define the safety and promise of laquinimod as a potential new oral therapy for relapsing-remitting MS.

Always nice to know what progress is being made!

Stem Cell Research & Sleep

I am listening to a teleconference tonight through the NMSS called "Sleep & MS: When to Doze."  I have been having difficulty getting a good night's sleep lately, so I thought I should listen to this teleconference to see if I can learn anything. Hopefully, I can learn a few things on how to better the quality of my sleep.

In news, the UK MS Society is immersing itself in the exciting realm of stem cell research, this article can be found on the UK MS Society website:

MS Society funds major international stem cell research

Scientists in the UK have received £1 million in joint funding from the MS Society and the UK Stem Cell Foundation for three new studies which will test whether stem cells can be safely used to slow, stop or reverse the damage caused to the brain and spinal cord in people with MS.

One of the studies is the UK part of an international trial involving 150 to 200 people with MS in countries across the world, including Italy, America and Canada.

Dr Paolo Muraro and his researchers at trial sites in Edinburgh and London will take stem cells from the bone marrow of 13 people with MS, grow them in the laboratory and then re-inject them into the bloodstream. The stem cells will make their way to the brain where it's hoped they will repair the damage caused by MS – including targeting ‘active’ lesions, where damage is currently happening.

Scientists believe that this unique international collaboration will reduce, by a number of years, the time taken to test whether stem cells could be a safe and effective treatment for people with MS.

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the MS Society, said: “Stem cells hold tremendous potential as a future treatment option for people with MS. We are delighted to be funding this world leading research which shows the power of an international research collaboration and joint working between charities.”

Of the two other studies funded by the MS Society and the UK Stem Cell Foundation, one based at Queen Mary Hospital, London, will look at how stem cells can be used to treat optic neuritis in laboratory models of MS. The other, based at the University of Nottingham, will compare stem cells from people with a progressive form of MS to those without the condition to help us discover possible treatments.

New from the NMSS website

The following was found on the NMSS website about topics discussed at the recent Consortium of MS Centers annual meeting:

The core purpose of the Consortium of MS Centers (CMSC) is to maximize the ability of MS healthcare professionals to impact care of people who are affected by MS, thus improving their quality of life. The CMSC recently held its 25th annual meeting in Montreal, featuring more than 200 reports on research to improve care and quality of life of people with MS. Download the entire book of scientific abstracts from the CMSC meeting (PDF). Here is a small sample of these reports:
Exercise boosts cognitive function: Cognitive changes are common in people with MS -- as many as half of people with MS will develop problems with cognition. Brian Sandroff and colleagues (University of Illinois, Urbana) enrolled 42 people with MS who wore accelerometers for seven days, and were administered tests of cognitive function. More physical activity was associated with faster information processing speeds, independent of a person’s disability status. In a similar effort, the National MS Society is currently funding a trial comparing the ability of aerobic exercise versus a stretching program to improve cognitive performance. (Abstract #S22)
Fatigue: MS predictor? Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of MS, and may be the most prominent symptom in a person who otherwise has minimal activity limitations. Joseph Berger, MD, and colleagues (University of Kentucky, Lexington) looked at the frequency with which fatigue “heralds” the onset of MS. Among 5305 people with MS, 29% reported fatigue in the three years before MS diagnosis. In 30% of these patients, fatigue was the only symptom preceding MS diagnosis. Fatigue preceded MS diagnosis by an average of 501 days. The authors advise that, in people experiencing unexplained fatigue, a detailed neurologic history and exam should be conducted to rule out MS. (Abstract #P18)
Wii™ for improving balance: Balance can be difficult to maintain for people with MS. Erin Korsbrek, MSc, and colleagues (University of Calgary) enrolled 18 people with MS in a study using Nintendo Wii Fit Plus three times per week for six weeks. Functional balance improved, and measures of fatigue and other symptoms remained stable, indicating no adverse effects. Coauthor Maureen Dunn, PhD (Hope College, Holland, MI) is currently funded by the National MS Society to conduct a 12-week trial to determine whether Wii is an effective balance rehabilitation tool for people with MS. (Abstract #P21)
Resveratrol: Negative preclinical results: The CMSC meeting includes laboratory studies as well. Previous research has suggested that resveratrol, a component of red wine, enhances the activity of a molecule (SIRT1) that might help to preserve nerve fibers, and it has been shown in several studies to decrease the severity of the MS-like disease EAE in mice. Fumitaka Soto, PhD (Louisiana State University, Shreveport) and colleagues reported that resveratrol actually worsened EAE in mice, causing severe damage. Further research will be needed to sort out this question. (Abstract #S7)
Evaluating relationship education: “Relationship Matters: A Program for Couples Living with MS” was developed by the National MS Society to help couples affected by MS to strengthen their partnerships and minimize the impact of MS on their lives. Couples receive eight hours of programming via “teleclasses” or in-person workshops. Kimberly Koch, MPA (National MS Society) and colleagues looked at a sample of more than 1,000 participants, and found significant increases in relationship satisfaction, along with clinically significant improvement in mental health. Funding for this project was provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Grant: 90FE0090.
Read more about this program. (Abstract #S8)
Risk tolerance for MS therapies: Recently, several more effective, but more risky, therapies have become available to treat MS, and more are under development. Society grantee Robert Fox, MD (Cleveland Clinic Foundation) and colleagues administered a web-based questionnaire on risk tolerance to more than 10,000 people enrolled in the North American Research Committee on MS (NARCOMS) registry. A total of 5,446 people completed the questionnaire, and the results showed that three factors were associated with increased tolerance for risky therapies: increased disability, male gender, and not currently being on an MS treatment. These results can help to guide discussions between clinicians and people with MS. (Abstract S84)
Psychosocial factors related to smoking: Research suggests that smoking may increase the risk of developing MS and may speed disease progression. Joseph Ostroff and colleagues (State University of New York, Buffalo) examined factors that distinguished smokers from nonsmokers in a sample of 1300 people with MS whose information was recorded in the New York State MS Consortium registry. Smokers were significantly more likely to be single or divorced, and to experience higher levels of pain, fatigue, tension, and loneliness. Read more about healthy living with MS. (Abstract #S91)
Air travel accessibility: The challenges of traveling with a disability were discussed in focus groups and in visits to the local airport by a team including the St. Louis VA MS Center and Spinal Cord Injury Service, the Gateway Chapter of the National MS Society, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the St. Louis Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator, and local airport, airline, and Travel Security Administration staff. Targets for accessibility improvement were identified, including the need to train airport staff regarding wheelchair mechanics and batteries; the need to provide opportunities for travelers with disabilities to do “dry runs” to increase familiarity; and the need to improve signage to indicate accessible routes to baggage claim. Read more about travel tips for people with MS. (Abstract #S124)
Educating physical therapy students about MS: Angela Rosenberg, PT, DrPH (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill) and colleagues, including Kaye Gooch of the Society’s Eastern North Carolina Chapter, presented a program developed by the university and chapter to educate physical therapists in the management of the neurologic and psychosocial needs of people with MS. Evaluations of the program indicate increases in MS-specific knowledge, and the team hopes this two-year program will serve as a model for other universities. Read more about education opportunities for physical and occupational therapists provided by the National MS Society. (Abstract #S133)
Breathing problems during sleep: Sleep-disordered breathing is a problem of respiration that occurs during sleep, such as sleep apnea. Tiffany Braley, MD, a Sylvia Lawry Physician Fellow of the National MS Society, explored the occurrence of these disorders in 48 people with MS and 84 controls without MS. The results suggest that people with MS and disease activity in the brainstem (the lower extension of the brain where it connects to the spinal cord) had a predisposition for sleep-disordered breathing. People with these disorders reported fatigue, lack of energy, or tiredness to be their most problematic symptom, as opposed to excessive daytime sleepiness. Read more about sleep disorders in MS. (Abstract #S155)
Click here to view the entire book of scientific abstracts from the CMSC meeting (PDF).

Interesting news as always!  Looks like I really need to be better about exercising - need to keep my cognitive functioning up!  My husband and I used to have a Wii, but we sold it when we stopped using it; now I kind of wish I still had it to improve my balance.  Surely, there are other things I can do to help improve balance.

A Little Bit of Everything

Check out the NMSS blog

Then, read about the latest on Jabecca Walk  (See also Getting Involved and an MS Competition)

And now, an update on me; I know I don't talk about myself very often on here but it is mostly because I haven't really had anything MS-related to report.  I have been doing very well lately, which has been great!  The weather in the Midwest has been consistently in the triple digits, so I keep waiting for the heat to affect me as it did last summer.  So far, however, the heat has not bothered me!  Part of that may be because I am not going out into the heat quite as much since I know it could become an issue and I am careful not to "overdo" things when I do go out into the heat for longer periods of time.  Despite my conscious efforts, I still believe that something is working for me (Copaxone, vitamins, or a combination of everything) and I am very excited about that.  Except for taking my shot everyday and the bracelets on my arm that remind me, I really haven't noticed that I even have MS lately.  THAT is a great thing!  I am hoping that this keeps up, but am continually waiting for the floor to drop out beneath me.  I will keep you posted, but know that if I am not posting about my "condition," it is because I am doing well!

In research news, the latest MSIF mailer I received reported that a recent study "examined the relationship between self-reported relapses and levels of sports activity in 632 patients with MS. The study showed no association between sports activity and clinical relapses."

 MSAA has produced a new publication, Solutions for Wellness.  It can be viewed by clicking here.

 That is all I have for today; stay well!

CCSVI Research Progress Report

I received an email today about the NMSS's ongoing research related to CCSVI.  The following article is posted on the NMSS's website:

The first-year progress reports from seven multi-disciplinary teams investigating CCSVI (chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency) in MS indicate that they are on track to provide essential data and critical analysis as these two-year projects move toward their completion. These studies were launched on July 1, 2010 with a more than $ 2.4 million commitment from the MS Society of Canada and the National MS Society (USA).
The research teams have already recruited a broad spectrum of people with MS and others to build understanding of who may be affected by CCSVI. In addition they are refining CCSVI imaging methods for accuracy and consistency in order to reliably validate the occurrence of CCSVI and understand its implications in the MS disease process.
Representatives of each of the seven funded teams are part of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)’s Scientific Expert Working Group. Following a meeting of the working group in June 2011, the Canadian Federal Minister of Health, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, announced a Phase I/II interventional clinical trial on CCSVI. The working group will provide leadership and advice in the drafting of the terms of reference for the Phase I/II clinical trials in Canada, and will continue to monitor and analyze the data from the seven studies and other studies related to CCSVI and MS around the world.

Regarding the seven funded teams, all have received approval for their studies from the required Institutional Review Boards in the U.S. or the Research Ethics Board in Canada, a first step established by regulatory authorities to protect human subjects involved in research projects. (Read more about steps involved in conducting clinical research.)
Already more than 486 people have undergone scanning with various imaging technologies being used by the studies, including the Doppler ultrasound technology originally used by Dr. Paolo Zamboni and his collaborators, as well as magnetic resonance studies of the veins (MR venography), catheter venography, MRI scans of the brain, and clinical measures.
Because the studies employ rigorous blinding and controls designed to collect objective and comprehensive data, the full results of the ongoing research will be available only after completion of the studies which will involve more than 1300 people representing a spectrum of MS types, severities and durations, as well as individuals with other disease types and healthy controls. In the meantime, several teams are planning to present preliminary results at medical meetings later this year.
“We are pleased that this important work investigating the link between CCSVI and MS is advancing quickly,” notes Dr. Tim Coetzee, chief research officer at the National MS Society. “Results from these comprehensive studies will help inform important next steps.”
Yves Savoie, President and chief executive officer of the MS Society of Canada concurs, “The CIHR’s Scientific Expert Working Group, who will provide leadership and advice in the drafting of the terms of reference for the Phase I/II clinical trials in Canada, will continue to monitor and analyze the data from these studies and other studies related to CCSVI and MS around the world. We are heartened to be moving closer to more definitive answers about CCSVI and MS.”
Details: The funded investigators, who are drawn from a broad range of disciplines ranging from MS neurology, vascular surgery and interventional radiology, report progress in establishing standardized protocols, recruiting and scanning participants and in the development of plans for sharing their findings, as summarized below.
• Dr. Brenda Banwell, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario:
To determine whether signs of impaired vein drainage might be present early in the MS disease course, Dr. Banwell’s team received approval from the Research Ethics Board and then began enrolling children and teenagers who have MS, and healthy controls of the same age. They are seeking venous abnormalities using non-invasive MRI measures of vein anatomy and novel measures of venous flow, as well as ultrasound. Unlike adults with MS, children are unlikely to have age-related changes in blood vessels, and are less likely to have adult health conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease, which might otherwise complicate findings. The team’s ultrasound team received training in Dr. Zamboni’s original techniques from the Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, and they have created ultrasound and brain imaging procedures suited to explore venous drainage in children. Dr. Banwell’s team reports that recruitment is going well, and that they plan to analyze findings only after all 90 participants have undergoing the testing. Read details of Dr. Banwell’s original study plans.
• Dr. Fiona Costello, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta:
Once her team received Research Ethics Board approval, they began recruiting a cross-section of people with MS who would be compared with those affected by other neurological diseases or healthy volunteers. They have three dedicated ultrasound technologists who have been trained to do scanning as originally done by Dr. Zamboni, and they have refined their scanning protocol. The team is planning to repeat scans on a subset of participants who had been scanned before they made method changes, which will allow them to compare the sensitivity of results pre- and post-training. Dr. Costello’s team slowed recruitment briefly to upgrade to a new 3 Tesla (3T) MRI scanner (twice as strong as standard clinical MRI), and they have expanded their MRI team to include two additional, experienced members. The 3T machine went online in March 2011 and it is now being used to perform MR venography scans to compare against the ultrasound tests. Read details of this team’s original study plans.
• Dr. Aaron Field, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison:
His team is now actively recruiting participants to undergo MR venography and ultrasound techniques originally used by Dr. Zamboni to investigate CCSVI in people with early and later stages of MS, controls with other conditions and healthy volunteers, now that they have received approval of the study from the Institutional Review Board. Their ultrasound expert has received training in the Zamboni techniques. The team has refined its MR venography protocol to account for variations in blood flow that occur with breathing and heartbeats. They have determined that they will use a relatively new contrast agent or dye that will permit high-quality images of the veins in the head and neck and for measuring blood flow in the brain. This will enable the entire MRI/MRV exam to be completed with one time-saving injection instead of two. They have also standardized locations along the length of veins where they take blood flow measurements because they have found large differences in both anatomy and size of head and neck veins. The team has submitted a meeting abstract reporting on their protocol development for consideration at the International Magnetic Resonance Angiography Workshop to be held September 25-28, 2011 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Read details of this team’s original study plans.
• Dr. Robert Fox, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland:
After his team received IRB approval for using MR venography, ultrasound, MRI and clinical measures in people with MS or who are at risk for MS (CIS) and comparison groups, they began recruiting and scanning participants. The ultrasound team, which underwent training in the technique originally used by Dr. Zamboni, found several aspects of the published methodology ambiguous, and they have standardized the protocol and analysis to achieve consistent results.
They shared their solutions to these methodological challenges in a poster presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting in April 2011 (Abstract P01.263). The poster outlined physiological and technical factors that can complicate screening for vein blockages using ultrasound, including that heartbeat irregularities, stages of breathing, head position and pressure applied by the operator could alter results; and that the state of hydration of the subject (whether they drank adequate amounts of fluids) could impact results of several of the criteria used to determine CCSVI. They concluded that these complications may help explain the mixed results reported thus far related to CCSVI and MS, and they have added to their aims a study designed to evaluate the impact of hydration on CCSVI assessments.
Dr. Fox’s team has also gathered autopsy specimens of venous tissue from 9 MS tissue donors and 6 donors who did not have MS. The team first had to develop and standardize techniques for studying these specimens for signs of CCSVI. They are analyzing their data and have submitted abstracts reporting preliminary findings related to this pathology study and their scanning results for consideration at the international ECTRIMS (European Committee for Treatment and Research in MS) meeting in October 2011. Read details of this team’s original study plans.
• Dr. Carlos Torres, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ontario:
His team obtained Research Ethics Board approval after negotiating details over elements of the informed consent form used to explain the study’s procedures and potential outcomes to participants. The team has been conducting the first phase of scanning, using MRI and MR venography, in people without MS, which will be used to compare with various scans in people with MS. Three team members have been trained using the ultrasound techniques originally used by Dr. Zamboni, and they are on track recruiting more participants for the study. Dr. Torres expects to finalize phase 1 of the study by the end of the summer and then will move on to phase 2, which involves people with MS and other controls. Read details of this team’s original study plans.
• Dr. Anthony Traboulsee, UBC Hospital MS Clinic, UBC Faculty of Medicine and Dr. Katherine Knox, Saskatoon MS Clinic, University of Saskatchewan:
After both sites received Research Ethics Board approval they began to recruit, they have scanned a significant number of participants, and the level of interest in the MS community remains high. Their ultrasound technologists were trained by Dr. Zamboni, and they are also using catheter venography and MR venography to investigate the prevalence of CCSVI in people with MS and controls without MS. After the radiologists at both sites met in February 2011 to ensure the consistency of their protocols, they did a second wave of recruitment and hope to finish all testing before the end of 2011. Read details of their original study plans.
• Dr. Jerry Wolinsky, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston: After receiving IRB approval, the team began recruiting participants, and their neurosonographer received intensive training for intracranial and extracranial ultrasound scanning techniques. The team has already scanned a significant number of participants, which include people with different types of MS, people with other conditions, and people with no known health problems. The team is testing whether other imaging methods can confirm the ultrasound findings, while identifying the most reliable technique to screen for CCSVI. Dr. Wolinsky’s team continues to encounter difficulty in recruiting non-MS control subjects who don’t have a personal interest in the purpose of the trial. The executive committee that oversees this study has agreed with the team’s plan to continue aggressively recruit other controls, while at the same time increasing the number of MS participants. In some cases they have also found that some participants who were contacted to go into the next phase of scanning informed the investigators that they had gotten the venoplasty procedure, which made them ineligible to continue in the study. Read details of this team’s original study plans.
Going Forward: These seven teams were chosen by an international panel of experts that included specialists drawn from all key relevant disciplines including radiology, vascular surgery and neurology. The projects were selected for having the greatest potential to quickly and comprehensively determine the significance of CCSVI in the MS disease process. (Read more)
At this one-year milepost the investigators are making significant progress on their overall two-year study goals. The teams are making plans for sharing preliminary results at upcoming medical meetings, and have demonstrated a clear willingness to share technical advice so that the projects can move forward as smoothly and quickly as possible. Their results will help guide the development of a phase I/II clinical trial recently announced by the Canadian Federal Minister of Health to test whether treating vein blockages may be safe and effective in treating people with MS.
The next update on the work of the seven grantees will be reported in six months.

Very interesting!  Sorry for the lengthy post, but I didn't want to leave anything out on this.

More From The MSF Mailer

Here is more news from the MSF Mailer I recently received.  In addition to the news about Gilenya and CCSVI  (See MS News Never Stops), the mailer discussed a number of other topics.  Including, news that BG-12 appears to be showing positive results in its clinical trials:

Though detailed data has not yet been released, Biogen Idec has reported “top-line” results  from the first phase three trial to evaluate the investigational oral compound BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate) as a monotherapy in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
Results of the DEFINE trial showed that 240 mg of BG-12, administered either twice or three times a day, met the primary study endpoint, demonstrating a “highly statistically significant reduction” in the proportion of people with RRMS who relapsed at two years compared with placebo, Biogen said.
The company noted that both doses of BG-12 also provided a “statistically significant” reduction in annualized relapse rate, in the number of new or newly enlarging T2 hyperintense lesions, in new gadolinium-enhancing lesions, and in the rate of disability progression as measured by the Expanded Disability Severity Scale (EDSS) at two years.
Initial data from the trial showed that BG-12 demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile, according to Biogen. The overall incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events was similar among the placebo group and both BG-12 treatment groups. The safety profile was consistent with what was seen in the published phase two study of BG-12. Further analyses of the DEFINE study are ongoing, and the company anticipates presenting detailed data at a future medical meeting.
Data from scientific studies suggest that BG-12 has the potential to be distinctive by reducing the entry into and the action of inflammatory cells on the central nervous system (CNS), as well as potentially protecting CNS cells from oxidative stress and death by activation of a critical pathway.
BG-12 received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008. In addition to DEFINE, another phase three RRMS clinical trial, CONFIRM, is currently underway. This study is evaluating BG-12 and glatiramer acetate, against placebo.  Clinical relapse, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of MS, progression of disability, and safety will be recorded. Results from CONFIRM are expected in the second half of 2011.

The mailer also, discussed the exciting progress laquinimod is making in its clinical trials:

The drug laquinimod reduced the number of relapses for people with MS in a large, long-term Phase III clinical study that was presented as late-breaking research at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, April 9–16, 2011, in Honolulu.
The study, supported by Teva Pharmaceticals, involved 1,106 people with relapsing-remitting MS in 24 countries. The participants received either a once-daily oral dose of 0.6 milligrams of laquinimod or a matching placebo for two years. Eighty percent of those taking laquinimod and 77 percent of those taking the placebo finished the two-year study.
Participants treated with laquinimod experienced a statistically significant reduction of 23 percent in annual relapse rate, compared to participants treated with a placebo. Additionally, there was a reduction of 36 percent in disability progression, as well as a 33 percent reduction in brain atrophy for those treated with laquinimod.
“These exciting results confirm that laquinimod has a significant impact on progression of disability and disease activity, while maintaining a high safety profile,” said lead author Giancarlo Comi, M.D., director of the Department of Neurology and Institute of Experimental Neurology at the Scientific Institute and University Vita-Salute San Raffaele in Milan, Italy.
“This may be attributed to the novel mechanism of action of laquinimod, which effectively and safely addressed both the acute inflammatory activity and the accumulation of irreversible tissue damage. This suggests a substantial future role for laquinimod in the treatment of MS.”
Laquinimod was safe and well tolerated, according to the study authors. Overall frequencies of adverse events were low and comparable to those observed in the placebo group. “The incidence of liver enzyme elevation was higher in laquinimod treated patients,” said Comi. “However, these elevations were temporary, reversible, and did not lead to any signs of liver problems.”

Great to hear that such promising progress is being made on more oral therapies!

There was also information in the mailer regarding the research that may have discovered the driving force behind MS and may be on track to find a cure:

Neuroscientists have reported identifying a driving force behind autoimmune diseases such as MS, and suggest that blocking this cell-signaling molecule is the first step in developing new treatments to eradicate these diseases.
Researchers led by Abdolmohamad Rostami, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, found that GM-CSF, which stands for Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, appears to be the key culprit in the onset of MS. Without GM-CSF, T helper 17 cells (Th17) cells did not induce the MS-like disease in an experimental animal model.
These findings were recently published in an advanced, online publication of Nature Immunology.
Th17 cells have been shown to play an important pathogenic role in humans and experimental models of autoimmune diseases, but the mechanisms behind this have not been understood until now.
"There was no connection between GM-CSF and Th17 cells before," said Dr. Rostami. "What we have shown in this paper is that GM-CSF
"Now we know how the Th17 cells work and a better understanding of this mechanism and biology leads to new therapeutics," he adds.
The results suggest that blocking GM-CSF activity may be a successful therapeutic strategy in MS, one of the most common neurological diseases affecting young adults, and other autoimmune diseases, said Dr. Rostami, who is also the Chair of Neurology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
These findings identify the interleukin-23 (IL-23)/ Th17/GM-CSF axis as the major pathway in pathogenesis of autoimmune central nervous system inflammation and likely other autoimmune diseases. IL-23, a known cytokine that causes autoimmune inflammation of the brain, induces production of more GM-CSF in Th17 cells, the researchers explain.
Dr. Rostami, who is also director of the Neuroimmunology Laboratory in the Department of Neurology at JMC, and his colleagues used an animal model of MS called experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) for the investigation, a common model used to study the pathogenesis of the disease. Mice whose Th17 cells cannot produce GM-CSF did not develop neuroinflammation, thus GM-CSF is responsible for disease manifestation in this experimental model.
Another recently published paper in Nature Immunology by Dr. Rostami and his team unraveled a mechanism that may help fight MS. The researchers found that a protein known as interkeukin-27 (IL-27) helped block, not induce, the onset of symptoms in animals with an MS-like disease. While increasing levels of GM-CSF may cause the disease, as shown in the current paper, increasing IL-27 concentrations may help quell an over-active immune system, the researchers reported.

For more about this topic, see Research Only Ends with a Cure.  There were a few other topics discussed in the mailer, which I will discuss in the third and final series of the MSF Mailer news update.

In other news, I went to my first NMSS Advisory Board meeting and am going to continue to attend (making me an Advisory Board member)!  I am so excited to be more involved in the fight against MS!  Looking forward to helping out in any way that I can.

And a quick update on me: still feeling well - no everyday symptoms.  I still experience some minor "flare-ups" when I get my core temperature up, but otherwise I am doing well!  I am playing volleyball again tomorrow and I am going to try to play co-ed softball this summer (hopefully the heat doesn't get to me too much).  I'll keep you updated!