23 May 2006

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Making Connections

MSIF Annual Review 2005 now available

Read about MSIF’s activities and achievements during 2005 in our Annual Review.

Read about our programme objectives to support the development of effective national MS societies, to communicate knowledge, experience
and information about MS, to advocate globally for the international
MS community, and to stimulate MS research. You can also read MSIF's financial summary for 2005, and see who the members of the International Medical and Scientific Board (IMSB) are and who is involved in MSIF's governance and management.

Click here to download a copy.

MSIF News


	Summaries of new MSIF activities, events, projects, programmes, resources, publications and more.

MSIF donations through UK eBay sales

MSIF is pleased to be part of an initiative by MissionFish and eBay called the eBay for Charity programme which allows eBay sellers to donate a portion of their sale price to the charity of their choice.

Stem cell research discussed at MSIF April 2006 Board and Committee Meeting

The MSIF April 2006 Board and Committee Meetings were held from 26-28 April in London. Delegates travelled from 17 countries to meet, discuss and determine MSIF's programme of activities.

People with MS News


	Summaries of news, views and achievements from people with MS around the world.

Have you taken part in a study about genetics and MS?

The upcoming edition of MS in focus looks at genetics. We would like to hear from you if you have taken part in a study about genetics and MS.

Profile of the Month : January 2008

John Brown

Home: Christchurch, New Zealand
Age: 68
Diagnosis: May 1966
Occupation: Journalist

English Deutsch Espanol Francais Italiano Russian

Research News


	Summaries of all the latest research findings on MS selected by a team based at the Institute of Neurology, London.

Differences in cerebral activation patterns in idiopathic inflammatory demyelination using the paced visual serial addition task: An fMRI study

This study compared cerebral activation during the Paced Visual Serial Addition Task (PVSAT) in patients with MS and CIS, and controls. There were differences between the three groups indicating that distinct differences in cognitive processing occur with the evolution of MS, and using the PVSAT in addition to the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task helped to expose these differences.

authors: Rachbauer D, Kronbichler M, Ropele S, Enzinger C, Fazekas F.

source: J Neurol Sci. 2006 May 15;244(1-2):11-6. Epub 2006 Feb 9

Antimyelin antibodies and the risk of relapse in patients with a primary demyelinating event

This paper explores the prognostic value of positive serum antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and myelin basic protein (MBP) in patients with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS).

authors: Rauer S, Euler B, Reindl M, Berger T

source: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2006 Jun;77(6):739-42

The risk for multiple sclerosis in female nurse anaesthetists: a register based study

This study compares the cumulative incidence of MS in female nurse anaesthetists to that in other female nurses and female teachers, to test the theory that exposure to volatile anaesthetic agents is a risk factor for MS in susceptible individuals. The incidence rate was higher in nurse anaethetists than in teachers, but not significantly higher than for other nurses.

authors: Landtblom AM, Tondel M, Hjalmarsson P, Flodin U, Axelson O

source: Occup Environ Med. 2006 Jun;63(6):387-9

Interobserver agreement on the radiological criteria of the International Panel on the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis

This paper assesses inter-observer agreement on the radiological International Panel (IP) criteria for the diagnosis of MS in groups of radiologists trained in IP criteria application and radiologists who were not. Those not trained had a lower inter-observer agreement, emphasising that training is important in applying the criteria.

authors: Korteweg T, Uitdehaag BM, Knol DL, Smithuis RH, Algra PR, de Vries C, Poppe PA, van Waesberghe JH, Bergers E, Lycklama A Nijeholt GJ, Polman CH, Barkhof F.

source: Eur Radiol. 2006 May 18; [Epub ahead of print]

Absence of cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands is associated with delayed disability progression in relapsing-remitting MS patients treated with interferon-beta

209 patients with RRMS in Italy on Interferon treatment were assessed, and the authors suggest that the absence of oligoclonal bands in the CSF and low lesion load on T2 weighted scans are associated with a good clinical response to interferon.

authors: Annunziata P, Giorgio A, De Santi L, Zipoli V, Portaccio E, Amato MP, Clerici R, Scarpini E, Moscato G, Iudice A, Vacca G, Orefice G, Morra VB, Maimone D.

source: J Neurol Sci. 2006 May 15;244(1-2):97-102. Epub 2006 Feb 13

Altered maturation of circulating dendritic cells in primary progressive MS patients

The authors found an impaired maturation state of dendritic cells in PPMs patients compared to SPMS patients and controls. A beneficial effect of IFN-beta favouring the survival of PDC and promoting a Th2 environment is suggested.

authors: Lopez C, Comabella M, Al-Zayat H, Tintore M, Montalban X.

source: J Neuroimmunol. 2006 May 12; [Epub ahead of print]

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis in women in relation to sex steroid exposure

This epidemiological study indicates a relationship between high-oestrogen states and ameliorated symptoms whereas low-oestrogen states seem to relate to a worsening of the disease. A majority of women, however, reported no changes in MS symptoms in relation to the different oestrogen states.

authors: Holmqvist P, Wallberg M, Hammar M, Landtblom AM, Brynhildsen J.

source: Maturitas. 2006 May 20;54(2):149-53. Epub 2005 Nov 15.

Extracorporeal photochemotherapy: a safety and tolerability pilot study with preliminary efficacy results in refractory relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) is an immunomodulating procedure consisting of autologous reinfusion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells after direct exposure to 8-methoxy-psoralen and UV-A. This study confirms ECP safety and tolerability and suggests that this treatment might be useful as a therapeutic alternative in the subgroup of relapsing-remitting MS patients not responsive to or not eligible for traditional immunomodulating or immunosuppressive treatments.

authors: Cavaletti G, Perseghin P, Dassi M, Cavarretta R, Frigo M, Caputo D, Stanzani L, Tagliabue E, Zoia C, Grimaldi M, Isella V, Rota S, Ferrarese C, Frattola L.

source: Neurol Sci. 2006 Apr;27(1):24-32.

Levetiracetam for cerebellar tremor in multiple sclerosis : An open-label pilot tolerability and efficacy study.

This open-label trial evaluates the effect of levetiracetam (LEV) to treat cerebellar tremor in MS patients. The authors conclude that LEV could be useful for the management of cerebellar tremor in MS and the good tolerability makes it easy to test. LEV long-term efficacy should be confirmed in extended studies.

authors: Striano P, Coppola A, Vacca G, Zara F, Brescia Morra V, Orefice G, Striano S.

source: J Neurol. 2006 May 12; [Epub ahead of print]

MRI T2 lesion burden in multiple sclerosis: a plateauing relationship with clinical disability.

This study confirmed the limited correlation between clinical manifestations and number of lesions on T2 weighted MRI scans but revealed an important plateauing relationship between lesions and disability.

authors: Li DK, Held U, Petkau J, Daumer M, Barkhof F, Fazekas F, Frank JA, Kappos L, Miller DH, Simon JH, Wolinsky JS, Filippi M; Sylvia Lawry Centre for MS Research.

source: Neurology. 2006 May 9;66(9):1384-9.

Magnetization transfer magnetic resonance imaging and clinical changes in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

This study indicates that a "snapshot" MT MRI assessment detects subtle brain tissue changes that are associated with short-term disability accumulation in patients with relapsing-remitting MS.

authors: Oreja-Guevara C, Charil A, Caputo D, Cavarretta R, Sormani MP, Filippi M.

source: Arch Neurol. 2006 May;63(5):736-40.

Can MRI reveal phenotypes of multiple sclerosis?

This paper discusses the multicontrast capability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and its role in the search for phenotypes of multiple sclerosis (MS). The authors conclude that in conjunction with clinical, immunological, serological and genetic information, clusters of MS patients with distinct clinical prognosis and diverse response profiles to available and future treatments may be identified with the help of MRI measures.

authors: Guttmann CR, Meier DS, Holland CM.

source: Magn Reson Imaging. 2006 May;24(4):475-81. Epub 2006 Mar 10.

Does multiple sclerosis-associated disability differ between races?

This epidemiological study shows that African Americans experience greater multiple sclerosis-associated disability than Caucasians. Failure to account for socioeconomic status leads to overestimation of these differences. Disease progression is similar in African Americans and Caucasians after diagnosis.

authors: Marrie RA, Cutter G, Tyry T, Vollmer T, Campagnolo D.

source: Neurology. 2006 Apr 25;66(8):1235-40.

MS News


	Summaries of MS news from websites around the world.

Update: The use of Aimspro, or goat serum, in MS

source: US National MS Society

Aimspro is an injected experimental treatment made from the serum (the fluid portion of blood) of goats that have been inoculated with a variety of vaccines. The manufacturer, Daval International Ltd (East Sussex, UK), proposes that Aimspro may be useful in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory and neurological conditions because of its possible anti-inflammatory properties.

New EU portal on health launched

source: European Multiple Sclerosis Platform

The European Commission has launched a new Health-EU Portal to answer to the needs of an estimated third of the EU population searching for information on different health issues.

US National MS Society Creates New Training Programme For Rehabilitation Research

source: US National MS Society

The National MS Society has launched a new a mentor-based postdoctoral fellowship program in multiple sclerosis rehabilitation research. The immediate goal is to recruit and train talented clinician-scientists in rehabilitation research specific to MS; the ultimate goal is to get more hands and minds working on the best ways to help people with MS maximize their abilities.

Positive Results Reported For Oral Teriflunomide For Relapsing MS

source: US National MS Society

An experimental oral drug being tested for multiple sclerosis, called teriflunomide (Sanofi-Aventis), significantly reduced MRI-detected disease activity in a 36-week, Phase II clinical trial involving 179 people with relapsing MS.

Helping to raise MS awareness

The month of May is MS Awareness Month in Canada.

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