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Are we making an impact?

MSIF is currently asking the question, are we making an impact? Are our projects improving the quality of life of people with MS and stimulating international MS research?

We believe we are making a difference, but what do you think? Please tell us by taking part in our 5 minute survey. Your feedback - whether you are a person affected by MS, someone who works or volunteers at an MS society, or you work as an MS health professional or scientist - will help make sure we are doing the best we can for people with MS around the globe.

Please click here to take part.

MSIF team visit Czech Republic

A team from MSIF visited the Czech Republic last week, ahead of MSIF's 2007 Persons with MS Day and the autumn Board and Committee meetings which are being held in Prague.

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Global Dinner Party 2007 - events around the world

The 2007 MS Global Dinner Party (GDP) is less than two weeks away and preparations are well underway by both national MS societies and individuals around the globe.

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Profile of the Month : January 2008

Chris Baker

Country: New Zealand
Occupation: Writer

"Being diagnosed with MS was almost a relief. At least I had an official, medical reason for feeling the way I did."

English Italiano Espanol Deutsch Francais Russian

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Pattern-specific loss of aquaporin-4 immunoreactivity distinguishes neuromyelitis optica from multiple sclerosis.

The authors studied brain lesions in patients with MS, neuromyelitis optica, a similar condition and controls. They found an autoantibody which is useful in distinguishing MS from the other conditions.

authors: Roemer SF, Parisi JE, Lennon VA, Benarroch EE, Lassmann H, Bruck W, Mandler RN, Weinshenker BG, Pittock SJ, Wingerchuk DM, Lucchinetti CF.

source: Brain. 2007 Feb 4

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Magnetisation transfer ratio in the normal appearing white matter predicts progression of disability over one year in early primary progressive MS

The authors studied MTI, one of the most promising new imaging techniques, evaluating its predictive value as indicator of clinical progression in patients with primary progressive MS. They found this technique to be useful in providing early information on prognosis.

authors: Khaleeli Z, Sastre-Garriga J, Ciccarelli O, Miller DH, Thompson AJ.

source: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2007 Feb 7

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Hepatitis B vaccine and risk of relapse after a first childhood episode of CNS inflammatory demyelination

The authors studied the impact of vaccination against hepatitis B and tetanus on the risk of developing multiple sclerosis after a first clinical episode in childhood. They concluded that there was no increased risk.

authors: Mikaeloff Y, Caridade G, Assi S, Tardieu M, Suissa S.

source: Brain. 2007 Feb 1

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Quality Assessment in Multiple Sclerosis Therapy (QUASIMS) : A comparison of interferon beta therapies for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

This retrospective study compared the four available interferon preparations in terms of effectiveness and tolerability. There were no major differences in most of the outcome measures.

authors: Limmroth V, Malessa R, Zettl UK, Koehler J, Japp G, Haller P, Elias W, Obhof W, Viehover A, Meier U, Brosig A, Hasford J, Putzki N, Kalski G, Wernsdorfer C; for the QUASIMS Study Group.

source: J Neurol. 2007 Feb 1

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IL-23 is critical in the induction but not in the effector phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

This study helps to clarify the role of IL-23, a specific immunological molecule involved in the inflammatory response, in the pathogenesis of EAE, a mouse model of human multiple sclerosis.

authors: Thakker P, Leach MW, Kuang W, Benoit SE, Leonard JP, Marusic S.

source: J Immunol. 2007 Feb 15;178(4):2589-98.

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Absence of Mycoplasma-specific DNA sequence in brain, blood and CSF of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS): A study by PCR and real-time PCR

This negative study looked for evidence of previous Mycoplasma infection as a trigger in people with MS but did not find any.

authors: Casserly G, Barry T, Tourtellotte WW, Hogan EL.

source: J Neurol Sci. 2007 Feb 15;253(1-2):48-52.

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A study of subtle blood brain barrier disruption in a placebo-controlled trial of natalizumab in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

This study looked for evidence of subtle leakage of the barrier that separates the blood from the brain which is thought to be important in initiating inflammation in MS. It concluded that there was a detectable difference between white matter in non-enhancing lesions and normal appearing white matter. This leakage seemed not to be modified by the use of Natalizumab.

authors: Soon D, Altmann DR, Fernando KT, Giovannoni G, Barkhof F, Polman CH, O'connor P, Gray B, Panzara M, Miller DH.

source: J Neurol. 2007 Feb 3

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Read the blog from the UK MS Society trip to India

source: UK MS Society

A unique educational trip to India organised by the UK MS Society in conjunction with the MS Society India saw leading neurologists, MS specialist therapists and nurses share their knowledge with health care professionals in the country.

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MS Society of New Zealand offers Outward Bound scholarships

source: MS Society of New Zealand

In partnership with Outward Bound New Zealand, MSSNZ is pleased to be able to offer two young New Zealanders the chance to attend a 21-day Outward Bound course.

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MS Association of Lanka featured in news

source: MS Association of Lanka

The MS Association of Lanka, which was established in September last year to raise awareness of MS and support people affected by MS in Sri Lanka, was recently featured in the Sri Lanka Sunday Times.

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New programme provides scholarships to Canadian youth directly affected by MS

source: MS Society of Canada

The MS Society of Canada Scholarship Program, supported by Billy Talent and Friends, is a post-secondary scholarship programme for teens and young adults in Canada who have MS or who have a parent with MS.

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