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Update: Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and MS

source: MSIF, German MS Society, Italian MS Society, MS Ireland, MS Society of Canada, UK MS Society and US National MS Society

Recent reports have sparked a flurry of media attention and revived an old idea of an association between a possible disruption in venous drainage and MS.

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Bill Seary joins MSIF staff as Governance and Planning Coordinator

source: MSIF

The MSIF Secretariat has been strengthened with the arrival of a part-time Governance and Planning Coordinator, Bill Seary. He will pilot this new position for six months with a view to recruiting a permanent position after that.

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Profile of the Month : January 2010

Aida Alić

Country: Bosnia, living in Germany
Age: 32
Type of MS: Relapsing-remitting
Year of Diagnosis: 2000


"It was difficult to battle against people’s ignorance about MS, people said "well, if she has problems with her legs, she can work sitting down," and "I’ve heard MS is infectious."

Deutsch English French Italiano Русский

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Evaluation of optic neuropathy in multiple sclerosis using low-contrast visual evoked potentials

In this article the authors compared two methods of obtaining visual evoked potentials (VEP), depending on the stimuli used. Their results suggest that VEP obtained using low-contrast stimuli was more sensitive in detecting demyelinating optic neuropathy.

authors: Thurtell MJ, Bala E, Yaniglos SS, Rucker JC, Peachey NS, Leigh RJ

source: Neurology. 2009 Dec 1;73(22):1849-57

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A short-term randomized MRI study of high-dose oral vs intravenous methylprednisolone in MS

This is a randomised study where the authors aimed to compare the efficacy, tolerability and safety of intravenous methylprednisolone vs oral methylprednisolone at equivalent high doses in people with MS who have had a recent relapse and who have at least one enhancing lesion on the MRI scan. The results suggest that oral steroids are as effective as intravenous steroids in terms of MRI or clinical outcome. Also, these two treatments seem to have similar safety and tolerability profiles.

authors: Martinelli V, Rocca MA, Annovazzi P, Pulizzi A, Rodegher M, Boneschi FM, Scotti R, Falini A, Sormani MP, Comi G, Filippi M

source: Neurology. 2009 Dec 1;73(22):1842-8

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Callosal lesion predicts future attacks after clinically isolated syndrome

MS is diagnosed by the demonstration of lesions disseminated in space and in time. The so-called Barkhof criteria, which are based on the number and location of the lesions seen in the brain of people with MS, have been extensively used to determine dissemination in space and they have proved to be useful in predicting the appearance of a second relapse after a first episode suggestive of MS. The authors of this study have found that not only the Barkhof criteria but also the lesions in the corpus callosum can predict the appearance of the second relapse. Further more, when both Barkhof criteria and lesions in the corpus callosum were combined, the predictive value was stronger.

authors: Jafari N, Kreft KL, Flach HZ, Janssens AC, Hintzen RQ

source: Neurology. 2009 Dec 1;73(22):1837-41

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Clinical features of CIS of the brainstem/cerebellum of the kind seen in MS

The authors studied a group of people with a first episode suggestive of MS whose symptoms indicated involvement of the brainstem. They found that double vision, facial sensory symptoms and gait disturbance occurred in more than 30% of them. Furthermore, facial sensory symptoms were less associated with the development of a second relapse.

authors: Sastre-Garriga J, Tintoré M, Nos C, Tur C, Río J, Téllez N, Castilló J, Horga A, Perkal H, Comabella M, Rovira A, Montalban X

source: J Neurol. 2009 Nov 28

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Positive results announced in phase II study of IV ocrelizumab in relapsing-remitting MS

source: US MS Society

Roche and Biogen Idec announced that the experimental monoclonal antibody ocrelizumab, given intravenously, significantly reduced disease activity as measured by MRI scans in a phase II study of 220 people with relapsing-remitting MS.

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'Mastering MS' Campaign - new booklets to help people with MS

source: MS Ireland

Bayer Schering Pharma has released a series of booklets to help people with MS, in response to the results of an international survey that shows many people face the same fears and concerns when they are diagnosed. The booklets include mastering your career, early treatment and relationships with family and friends.

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Academic review of cannabis MS trials adds to weight of evidence

source: UK MS Society

An academic review of clinical trials investigating the benefit of cannabis in MS has found that five out of six trials reported a reduction in spasticity and an improvement in mobility.

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