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Spasticity edition of MS in focus now in French

source: MSIF

Issue 12 is now available to download free from our website in French.

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Profile of the Month : January 2010

Claus Thuesen Beck

Country: Denmark
Age: 26
Connection with MS: Sister has MS
Profession: Studying finance & accounting, Copenhagen Business School


"I recently cycled 6000km across the US to raise money for the MS cause. I was inspired to do this by my older sister, Maria, who has relapsing-remitting MS."

Deutsch English Español French Русский

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Robot-based rehabilitation of the upper limbs in multiple sclerosis: feasibility and preliminary results

In this study, the authors have found that a new, robot-based, rehabilitation protocol is effective in improving the coordination of the upper limb movements in people with MS. Although these are only preliminary results and the number of individuals tested is rather small (seven people), the authors suggest that the robot therapy may be a very useful tool for people with MS and coordination deficits.

authors: Carpinella I, Cattaneo D, Abuarqub S, Ferrarin M

source: J Rehabil Med. 2009 Nov;41(12):966-70

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Modafinil for multiple sclerosis fatigue: does it work?

In this descriptive study (not a clinical trial) of 39 people with MS receiving Modafinil for MS-related fatigue, the authors found that this treatment is useful when fatigue is associated with excessive daytime sleepiness.

authors: Littleton ET, Hobart JC, Palace J

source: Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2009 Oct 16

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Replication of CD58 and CLEC16A as genome-wide significant risk genes for multiple sclerosis

Genes contribute to the risk of developing MS. Most genes associated with this disease are mainly related to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA), a vast family of proteins involved in the immune response. The authors studied the whole genome in a very large population and found that known HLA genes and non-HLA genes were associated with a higher risk of developing MS. Moreover, some of these genes were also associated with a higher risk of developing other autoimmune diseases, which could help explain the pathogenesis of MS and other diseases.

authors: Hoppenbrouwers IA, Aulchenko YS, Janssens AC, Ramagopalan SV, Broer L, Kayser M, Ebers GC, Oostra BA, van Duijn CM, Hintzen RQ

source: J Hum Genet. 2009 Oct 16

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Tract-based analysis of callosal, projection, and association pathways in pediatric patients with multiple sclerosis: a preliminary study

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a relatively new MRI technique based on the diffusion of water molecules through brain tissue. In adults with MS, this has been proven to be useful in detecting abnormalities in the white matter pathways of the brain. In this study the authors found that DTI can be also useful in detecting such abnormalities in children with MS.

authors: Vishwas MS, Chitnis T, Pienaar R, Healy BC, Grant PE

source: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2009 Oct 22

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45 New US projects launched to propel MS research

source: US National MS Society

The US National MS Society has just committed US$15.8 million to support 45 new MS research projects in the USA as part of its US$40 million international investment this year alone to spur momentum in cutting-edge MS research.

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Results published from rituximab study in primary progressive MS

source: US National MS Society

A study of intravenous rituximab (Rituxan®, Genentech and Biogen Idec) in 439 people with primary progressive MS has shown that the drug did not slow disease progression when compared with inactive placebo, the primary endpoint of the study.

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Update on Tysabri and PML: Company Releases Details of Cases and Risks

source: US National MS Society

According to information released by Biogen Idec, there have been 24 confirmed cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML, a viral infection of the brain that usually leads to death or severe disability) among people who have used Tysabri® (natalizumab, Biogen Idec and Elan Pharmaceuticals) after it became available for prescription in July 2006.

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