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International research vacancies and opportunities now online

MSIF is now advertising research opportunities and vacancies in internationally recognised MS research institutions worldwide. Please note that we only advertise MS research-related vacancies and positions in academic (non-profit) institutions and organisations.

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MSIF recruits new Advocacy and Communications Manager

We are delighted to announce that Helen Regan has been appointed as our new Advocacy and Communications Manager.

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Profile of the Month : September 2008

Jim Wolfgang

Country: Canada
Age: 75
Occupation: Retired Union Representative
Type of MS: Primary progressive
Year of diagnosis: 1976

I have seen many positive changes in the way governments at every level in Canada have responded to people with MS; however, we still have a long way to go.

Read the full article here:

English Espanol Italiano Francais Deutsch Русский

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Effects of fluoxetine on disease activity in relapsing multiple sclerosis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory study

In this preliminary study the authors investigated the effects of fluoxetine, an antidepressant medication, on the disease activity in people with MS. They found that this medication tended to reduce inflammatory activity in MS. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical benefit.

authors: Mostert JP, Admiraal-Behloul F, Hoogduin JM, Luyendijk J, Heersema DJ, van Buchem MA, De Keyser J

source: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2008 Sep;79(9):1027-31. Epub 2008 May 1

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Melanocortin 1 receptor genotype, past environmental sun exposure, and risk of multiple sclerosis

Several factors have been related to MS but their role in disease causation is unknown. The authors investigated the role of genes, hair and skin type and previous sun exposure in people with MS. They concluded that these factors may somehow be associated with the risk of developing MS.

authors: Dwyer T, van der Mei I, Ponsonby AL, Taylor BV, Stankovich J, McKay JD, Thomson RJ, Polanowski AM, Dickinson JL

source: Neurology. 2008 Aug 19;71(8):583-9

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Human endogenous retrovirus-K18 Env as a risk factor in multiple sclerosis

The cause of MS is not known but many factors are implicated including, possibly, viruses. The authors investigated the relationship between a virus related protein and MS. They found that it may influence the genetic susceptibility to MS.

authors: Tai AK, O'Reilly EJ, Alroy KA, Simon KC, Munger KL, Huber BT, Ascherio A

source: Mult Scler. 2008 Aug 13. [Epub ahead of print]

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Early relapses after the first dose of natalizumab in active multiple sclerosis patients

Natalizumab is a new medication to treat aggressive relapsing-remitting MS. This study reports that clinical relapses may be precipitated by a first dose of this treatment.

authors: Centonze D, Furlan R, Gasperini C, Salvetti M, Battistini L

source: Mult Scler. 2008 Aug 13. [Epub ahead of print]

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Repeated subcutaneous injections of IL12/23 p40 neutralising antibody, ustekinumab, in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, dose-ranging study

This clinical trial investigated the safety and efficacy of a new medication called ustekinumab in people with relapsing-remitting MS. This treatment did not show efficacy in reducing inflammatory activity in multiple sclerosis.

authors: Segal BM, Constantinescu CS, Raychaudhuri A, Kim L, Fidelus-Gort R, Kasper LH; on behalf of the Ustekinumab MS Investigators

source: Lancet Neurol. 2008 Sep;7(9):796-804

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Argentinian MS Society raise money through Night of the Chefs event in Buenos Aires

source: Esclerosis Múltiple Argentina

The Argentinian MS Society, Esclerosis Múltiple Argentina (EMA), raised US$86,000 at Night of the Chefs dinner on 16 August in Buenos Aires.

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Researchers suggest that latitude and sex ratio trends in the incidence of MS may be shifting

source: MS Society of Canada

MS has been traditionally considered to be more frequent in women and in regions more distant from the equator. However, recent reports suggest that the latitude gradient could be disappearing and that the female-to-male ratio among patients with MS has increased in the last decades.

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Canadian Collaborative Project on Genetic Susceptibility to MS provides data to study exploring risk of developing MS for preterm babies

source: MS Society of Canada

According to a study in the journal BMC Neurology preterm birth does not appear to contribute to the development of MS.

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