Tobacco smoking and disability progression in MS: UK cohort study

This study demonstrated that regular smoking is associated with more severe disease as well as faster progression of disability. Stopping smoking either before or after the onset of MS is associated with slower progression of disability.

Confounding underlies the apparent month of birth effect in MS

Several groups have previously reported the apparent seasonal patterns for month of birth suggested to be specific to MS, that is to say increased in those born in spring and reduced in the winter. The analysis carried out by this study group indicates that the apparent seasonal patterns for month of birth are expected by chance alone and so are probably false positives.

Magnetic resonance frequency shifts during acute MS lesion formation

The researchers looked at a new imaging technique on the MRI scanner which detects an increase in frequency shifts of the MR signal. They found that the increase in MR frequency was seen one month before and one month after contrast enhanced lesions appeared on conventional MRI.