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Making more connections - it is now easier to subscribe to our newsletter

MSIF has recently made signing up to this newsletter, Making Connections, much easier.

If you know someone who would like to receive the latest international MS news straight to their inbox, please click on "Tell a friend" below or ask them to go to www.msif.org/subscribe.

MSIF's QoL Principles presented at International Network of Integrated Care conference

Josh Wiener from RTI International presented MSIF's Principles to Promote the Quality of Life for People with MS in his speech at the 7th Annual Conference of the International Network of Integrated Care, "Models and Innovations in Chronic Disease Management and Long Term Care".

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Profile of the Month : June 2008

Yukari Niwa

Country: Japan
Year of diagnosis: 2001
Occupation: Volunteer at Japanese MS Society

"For me, the most important thing is to be happy in all I do."

English Italiano Deutsh Espanol Francais Russian

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Focal cortical atrophy in multiple sclerosis: Relation to lesion load and disability

This study found areas of loss of grey matter in people with MS which was related to the number of white matter lesions and found even in people with low levels of disability. The pattern of loss was different to that seen in normal ageing and the authors suggest this could be due to the underlying white matter lesions.

authors: Charil A, Dagher A, Lerch JP, Zijdenbos AP, Worsley KJ, Evans AC.

source: Neuroimage. 2007 Jan 15;34(2):509-17. Epub 2006 Nov 16.

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Interferon-beta and neuroprotection in multiple sclerosis: Facts, hopes and phantasies.

A review of what is known of the different phases of pathology in MS and how interferon and other immune modulating treatments may work.

authors: Kieseier BC, Hartung HP.

source: Exp Neurol. 2007 Jan;203(1):1-4. Epub 2006 Oct 25.

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P300 and treatment effect of modafinil on fatigue in multiple sclerosis

The electrophysiological measure auditory P300 helped predict which people with MS would benefit from modafanil as treatment for their fatigue in this open label study.

authors: Nagels G, D'hooghe MB, Vleugels L, Kos D, Despontin M, De Deyn PP.

source: J Clin Neurosci. 2007 Jan;14(1):33-40.

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Autoantibody-mediated demyelination depends on complement activation but not activatory Fc-receptors

This study clarifies the role of antibodies in demyelination in the mouse model of MS by showing that they exert their action through activation of complement rather than via T-cells.

authors: Urich E, Gutcher I, Prinz M, Becher B.

source: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Dec 5;103(49):18697-702. Epub 2006 Nov 22

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Absence of aquaporin-4 expression in lesions of neuromyelitis optica but increased expression in multiple sclerosis lesions and normal-appearing white matter

This study compares findings in MS and neuromyelitis optica, a severe form of demyelination which affects the optic nerves and spinal cord. They found differing expression of a protein found in the blood-brain barrier suggesting that the disease mechanisms may be different.

authors: Sinclair C, Kirk J, Herron B, Fitzgerald U, McQuaid S.

source: Acta Neuropathol (Berl). 2006 Dec 2; [Epub ahead of print]

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Increased serum levels of soluble CD14 indicate stable multiple sclerosis

The authors looked at blood levels of an immune receptor and found them to be higher in MS than controls but lower with increasing disease activity. The authors hypothesize that it may therefore have a protective role.

authors: Lutterotti A, Kuenz B, Gredler V, Khalil M, Ehling R, Gneiss C, Egg R, Deisenhammer F, Berger T, Reindl M.

source: J Neuroimmunol. 2006 Dec;181(1-2):145-9. Epub 2006 Oct 13.

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Simvastatin regulates oligodendroglial process dynamics and survival

This study looked at the effects of simvastatin, a possible treatment for MS, on human cells which produce myelin in test tubes. They found complex effects some potentially beneficial and some harmful depending on the time after treatment.

authors: Miron VE, Rajasekharan S, Jarjour AA, Zamvil SS, Kennedy TE, Antel JP.

source: Glia. 2007 Jan 15;55(2):130-43.

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UK multiple sclerosis charity ‘bitterly disappointed’ at Scottish drugs no

source: UK MS Society

The UK MS Society is ‘bitterly disappointed’ after the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) advised health professionals not to prescribe Tysabri – the only drug licensed for multiple sclerosis (MS) that has shown significant promise in slowing the progression of disability.

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US National MS Society: 2006 – a very good year in MS research

source: US National MS Society

The US National MS Society invested more than US$42 million in over 350 new and ongoing MS research projects in 2006.

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MS Ireland launches new electronic newsletter

source: MS Ireland

MS Ireland has launched its first electronic newsletter. The eNews will keep subscribers up-to-date with information about MS and MS Ireland.

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UK MS Tissue Bank – all you wanted to know

source: UK MS Society

Listen to Dr Abhi Vora and Peter and Sue Robinson talking to BBC Radio Kent about the UK MS Tissue Bank.

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Multiple Sclerosis International Federation
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