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MSIF News


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

MSIF’s Annual Review 2007

2007 was a very productive year for our member societies and for all of us at MSIF, and MSIF’s Annual Review 2007 charting our achievements and our aims for 2008 is now available to download as a PDF.

Research News


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

Could cytokines levels or adhesion molecules expression be predictor of IFN-beta treatment response in multiple sclerosis patients?

In this negative study, the authors looked for markers which would predict a response to treatment with interferon-beta, by looking at the levels of certain molecules in people with MS. They concluded that these markers cannot be used to predict treatment response.

authors: Sega S, Horvat A, Rot U, Wraber B, Ihan A

source: Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2008 Apr 5 [Epub ahead of print]

Relapses in multiple sclerosis are associated with increased CD8(+) T-cell mediated cytotoxicity in CSF.

The authors investigated the role of CD8+ T-cells, which are involved in the immune system, in the pathogenesis of MS. They found that the activity of these cells in the spinal fluid of people with relapsing-remitting MS increases during clinical episodes, and this continues for some months afterwards.

authors: Malmeström C, Lycke J, Haghighi S, Andersen O, Carlsson L, Wadenvik H, Olsson B.

source: J Neuroimmunol. 2008 Apr 5 [Epub ahead of print]

EVI5 is a risk gene for multiple sclerosis

The role of genes in the pathogenesis of MS is complex. The authors found an association between the EVI5 gene and MS, suggesting that it may be somehow involved.

authors: Hoppenbrouwers IA, Aulchenko YS, Ebers GC, Ramagopalan SV, Oostra BA, van Duijn CM, Hintzen RQ

source: Genes Immun. 2008 Apr 10 [Epub ahead of print]

Reproducibility over a 1-month period of (1)H-MR spectroscopic imaging NAA/Cr ratios in clinically stable multiple sclerosis patients.

MR spectroscopy is a new imaging technique which may help understand MS better at a pathological level. In this study the authors demonstrated good short-term reproducibility of the technique, suggesting that it may be reliable for future longitudinal studies.

authors: Mostert JP, Blaauw Y, Koch MW, Kuiper AJ, Hoogduin JM, De Keyser J.

source: Eur Radiol. 2008 Apr 4 [Epub ahead of print]

MS News


	Summaries of MS news from websites around the world.

Indonesia: first meeting of the Indonesian MS Group

The Indonesian MS Group (IMSG) met for the first time in Bandung.

Australia: The Rotarian Action Group of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness GDP

The Global Dinner Party (GDP) 2008 is part of a worldwide initiative in which similar events are held all over the world, at the same time.
The event was, once again, a great success and a party held in Melbourne, Australia by the Rotarian Action Group of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness (RAGMSA) was hosted in a luxury apartment that had been provided free of charge; this was one of numerous attractions that no doubt contributed to the overall success of the event.

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