What Is The Latest In Multiple Sclerosis Research?

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What Is The Latest In Multiple Sclerosis Research? - By: MIKE SELVON, Posted on: 2008-04-26

Many people depend on multiple sclerosis research to manage the symptoms of this disease. MS attacks the central nervous system, and patients suffer from pain and fatigue, vision and hearing impairment, and problems with coordination.

However, thanks to MS research, medications and therapies have been developed to help control these symptoms. Many believe it's only a matter of time until scientists find a cure for multiple sclerosis. In this article, we'll discuss the latest developments in research.

In multiple sclerosis research, major gains have been made in identifying the role of the immune system in the development of MS lesions. This discovery is significant because it allows scientists the ability to devise ways to alter the response of the immune system.

Such work is expected to yield a variety of new potential therapies that may treat MS without harmful side effects. Immune system-related genetic factors that predispose an individual to the development of MS have been identified, and may lead to new ways to treat or prevent the disease.

MRI multiple sclerosis monitoring is proving to be invaluable. Scientists are now able to see and follow the development of MS lesions in the brain and spinal cord. This is a tremendous aid in the assessment of new therapies and can speed up the process of evaluating new treatments.

There are a number of treatments under investigation that may curtail attacks or improve the function of damaged nerve fibers. Over a dozen clinical trials testing potential therapies are underway, and additional new treatments are being devised and tested in animal models.

In multiple sclerosis news, the bio pharmaceutical company MediciNova Inc. has announced data from a double-blind analysis of the first year of treatment from its two-year Phase II clinical trial of MN-166 in multiple sclerosis. The second year of the Phase II clinical trial is on-going with results expected in April 2008.

The analysis showed that MN-166 decreased the formation of brain lesions that are believed to indicate the death of nerves in the brain on MRI in MS patients. Treatment with a 30 mg/day dosing regimen of MN-166 showed a trend toward reduced risk of new lesion evolution to persistent black holes when compared to a placebo. This means that when diagnosed early, patients can stave off the symptoms of MS.

While great strides in MS research have been made, there is still a long way to go. If you have MS and want to support multiple sclerosis research, then The Human Brain and Spinal Fluid Resource Center in Los Angeles requires tissue from patients with neurological and other disorders to do their studies.

Tissue from individuals with MS is needed to enable scientists to study this disorder more intensely. For people who don't have MS, the best way to help is with financial donations. With this combined effort, perhaps we will one day have a world without MS.

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