Referenced Stocks: BIIB, NVS, RRMS, SPA, TEVA

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ( TEVA ) and Active Biotech recently announced that they intend to commence a phase III study with their oral multiple sclerosis candidate, laquinimod. The study will be conducted under the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) program.

The phase III study, CONCERTO, will be conducted in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Two doses of laquinimod (0.6 mg and 1.2 mg) will be evaluated in the study for up to 24 months with the primary endpoint being confirmed disability progression as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).

Laquinimod has been evaluated in two other phase III trials (ALLEGRO and BRAVO) earlier. The candidate is also being studied for Crohn's disease and lupus.

The successful development and launch of laquinimod would help strengthen Teva's multiple sclerosis drug portfolio. Being an oral formulation, laquinimod could provide an advantage over therapies that require injection or infusion.

Teva already has a multiple sclerosis product in its portfolio - Copaxone. Copaxone is approved for the reduction of the frequency of relapses in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), including patients who have experienced a first clinical episode and have MRI features consistent with multiple sclerosis.

Teva received some good news on the Copaxone patent infringement lawsuit front recently with favorable court rulings in the UK and the US. With these rulings, Copaxone should be protected from generic competition until September 2015.

The favorable rulings are a major positive for Teva. With Copaxone contributing 19.5% to total revenues in 2011, the earlier-than-expected entry of generic versions would have been a major setback for the company. Teva can now focus on extending Copaxone's life cycle.

We are pleased with Teva's efforts to expand its multiple sclerosis franchise. The multiple sclerosis market represents significant commercial potential. The disease is estimated to affect more than 400,000 people in the US. Worldwide, it is estimated that more than two million people may be suffering from multiple sclerosis.

Key players in the multiple sclerosis market include Biogen ( BIIB ) and Novartis ( NVS ) among others.

See more here:
Update on Teva's Laquinimod - Analyst Blog

CHICAGO - There's a common saying among people who have Multiple Sclerosis: If you've met one person with MS, you've met one person with MS.

Each person's experience with the disease - from the age they got it to the way it has affected their body - is so unique, MS can't be generalized. For some, MS simply leaves them feeling tired. Others are plagued by periodic difficulties in walking or thinking. Still others may lose permanent use of their arms and legs and become paralyzed.

Multiple Sclerosis, a degenerative disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord, can be as emotionally destructive as it can be physically damaging, said Gloria Crews-McAdoo, who started the "I CAN" MS support group in Chicago after her son was diagnosed with the disease.

"It is the uncertainty of MS," Crews-McAdoo said. "If you don't know what's going to happen to you from one day to the next it is very frightening."

While the National Multiple Sclerosis Society estimates that about 400,000 Americans have the disease, MS has gained more attention this year because Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's wife, Ann, has it. Diagnosed with MS in 1998, Ann Romney in recent months has opened up about her battles with fatigue, depression and mobility, suggesting her experience may help shape her goals as first lady should her husband be elected.

The stories of those living with MS in the Chicago area show the many paths the disease can take and the varied ways people have chosen to navigate its uncharted course.

Meghan Melone

On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights, Meghan Melone removes a syringe from the refrigerator, waits for the liquid inside to warm and then injects it into her body.

The drug, known as Rebif, is just one of many designed to help slow the progression of MS.

At times, it has left Melone, 22, fighting headaches and chills, but until this spring it seemed to be working.

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Multiple sclerosis: A chameleon among diseases

I have been told by several people that there is no way that I can continue to play the sports I love, because of my multiple sclerosis. These people consist of family, friends, and some people that I have hardly ever met before. I love to play sports, and have even been encouraged to keep as much of a normal life as possible by my doctors.

This is the reason that I try to take as many vacations as I can, and try to get involved in some sort of sport or physical activity while I'm away. I have been playing tennis for the last three years now, and have taken a few vacations to get away, and play a game or two of tennis.

This is why I proudly bring to you my list of the best five tennis courts I have played on. Some of these have been on vacations with my husband, and some here in my own home state of Colorado.

Tennis court number one

The Broadmoor Hotel right here is Colorado Springs, Colo., is our first stop on this tour. The reason I like playing at the Broadmoor Hotel on occasion, is that the Broadmoor Hotel has inside courts that you can play on. This makes it easier for me to enjoy a game of tennis with my multiple sclerosis. I do not have to contend with the heat while playing on the indoor courts here, which is what makes it easier to deal with my multiple sclerosis.

Tennis court number two

The Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Fla., is our second stop on this tour. Yes, most people come to Disney World for the rides, and other attractions, but when you have had enough fun for a day on the rides, and want to enjoy the hotel this is a great escape from the crowds. These courts are lighted which means that you can enjoy them even in the evening time when the temperature has gone down a little bit. This is the reason that I enjoy these tennis courts.

Tennis court number three

The Sailport Waterfront Suites Hotel in Tampa, Fla., is our third stop on this tour. This hotel has its own fishing dock, which allows for me to unwind after a good game of tennis. I do not usually fish from the dock, but I do like to go down there to unwind. This is the reason that this hotel has been a favorite of mine for awhile now to stay at when I go on a tennis trip to Florida.

Tennis court number four

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Tennis: Court is in Session on Multiple Sclerosis

I've always loved horses. I've been riding since I was five, I come from a horse family, says Patricia Labau of Gunnison, CO. Her life revolved around horses. She was competing, showing and jumping... Until one day when her life suddenly changed.

I woke up one morning and couldn't walk, she says.

She learned some news she never expected.

They diagnosed me with multiple sclerosis, she explains.

Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating disease. But Labau didnt let it keep her from the stables.

Sometimes you can get sick and go, ugh, and I'm not one of those people. I went ok, how can we fix this?

She used a form of riding called dressage as her therapy.

Dressage is to riding as ballet is to dance. Its a classical, very logical systematic approach, says Alice West, announcer and trainer for Grand Valley Dressage Show.

Dressage is a slower form of riding that takes incredible muscle control from the rider.

It also involves very intense training on the part of the rider. The rider has to have a very supple and elastic seat so they don't interfere with the horses motion and yet still be able to influence the horse, West says.

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Horses as a Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

ARMONK, N.Y., April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that researchers from The State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo are using IBM analytics technology to study more than 2,000 genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO)

As part of the initiative, Researchers will tap into IBM's analytics technology to develop algorithms for big data containing genomic datasets to uncover critical factors that speed up disease progression in MS patients. Insights gained from the research will be shared with hundreds of doctors to better tailor individual treatments to slow brain injury, physical disability and cognitive impairments caused by MS.

Using IBM analytics technology, SUNY Buffalo researchers can for the first time explore clinical and patient data to find hidden trends among MS patients by looking at factors such as gender, geography, ethnicity, diet, exercise, sun exposure, and living and working conditions. The big data including medical records, lab results, MRI scans and patient surveys, arrives in various formats and sizes, requiring researchers to spend days making it manageable before they can analyze it.

Using an IBM Netezza analytics appliance with software from IBM business partner, Revolution Analytics, researchers can now analyze all the disparate data in a matter of minutes instead of days, regardless of what type or size it is. The technology automatically consumes and analyzes the data, and makes the results available for further analysis. As a result, researchers can now focus their time on analyzing trends instead of managing data.

MS is a chronic neurological disease for which there is no cure. The disease is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, infectious and autoimmune factors making treatment difficult. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, there are approximately 400,000 people in the US with MS, and 200 people are diagnosed every week. Worldwide, MS is estimated to affect more than 2.1 million people.

"Multiple Sclerosis is a debilitating and complex disease whose cause is unknown. No two people share the exact same symptoms, and individual symptoms can worsen unexpectedly," said Dr. Murali Ramanathan, Lead Researcher at SUNY Buffalo. "Identifying common trends across massive amounts of MS data is a monumental task that is much like trying to shoot a speeding bullet out of the sky with another bullet. IBM analytics helps our researchers fine tune their aim and match the speed of analysis with the rate of data coming into our systems. Our goal is to demystify why the disease progresses more rapidly in some patients and get those insights back to other researchers, so they can find new treatments."

Since 2007, SUNY Buffalo researchers have been at the forefront of studying clinical and historical data from MS patients to identify genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the risk of developing the disease. These researchers are studying different age groups to see why the disease appears early in some children and why people who are diagnosed later in life tend to have a more aggressive course that affects their ability to walk. They are also looking at why MS is more common in northern latitudes and less common towards the equator, calling into question the role sunlight or lack thereof plays in the disease.

"Organizations that glean insights from big data and apply them to pervasive diseases like MS have the potential to greatly change the way patients receive treatment," said Dan Pelino, general manager, healthcare and life sciences at IBM. "The work that SUNY Buffalo is doing is a prime example of how IBM clients are literally changing the world with big data analytics, from advancing medical research, to generating clean energy and giving consumers what they want before they know they want it."

IBM Netezza appliances are optimized systems based on IBM BladeCenter technology that can analyze petabytes of data significantly faster than competing options, and at a much lower total cost of ownership. Unlike competing appliances, Netezza can be up and running in minutes instead of days or weeks.

Read more:
Leading Global Multiple Sclerosis Research Center Taps IBM Analytics to Improve Patient Care

Grant Funded by American Brain Foundation and National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Newswise NEW ORLEANS - A Rochester, New York, researcher will receive a $263,622 grant to continue his study of injury to brain cell connections (synapses) in multiple sclerosis (MS) through the American Brain Foundation (formerly the American Academy of Neurology Foundation) and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Clinician-Scientist Development Award.

Matthew Bellizzi, MD, a Fellow in experimental therapeutics and neuroimmunology at the University of Rochester was awarded the fellowship for his work investigating progressive degeneration of the brain in MS patients and in MS models.

The three year award is designed to encourage MS clinical research with the goal of providing better treatment, prevention or cure of the disease.

Clinical research is the fundamental transition stage between discovery and treatment.

Clinical research provides the scientific basis for all forms of care, addresses patient and caregiver needs and is the backbone for drug development and cost-effectiveness studies needed to improve lives. Fellowships provide recipients with up to three years of protected time, with salary that allows them to continue important research projects in their chosen interests.

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that disrupts communication between the brain and other parts of the body. MS patients experience muscle weakness in their extremities and difficulty with coordination and balance, among other symptoms. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS vary from one person to another. There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis at this time, but there are therapies available that may slow the disease and improve quality of life.

The American Brain Foundation, the foundation of the American Academy of Neurology, supports vital research & education to discover causes, improved treatments, and cures for brain and other nervous system diseases. Learn more at http://www.CureBrainDisease.org or find us on Facebook.

The National MS Society addresses the challenges of each person affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, collaborating with MS organizations around the world, and providing programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. For more information about the National MS Society, visit http://www.nationalMSsociety.org.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 25,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimers disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, Parkinsons disease and epilepsy.

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University of Rochester Researcher Awarded $263,622 for Multiple Sclerosis Research

There are a number of summertime sports and recreational events that I enjoy. I love to go on horseback rides, box, swim, and cycle to name just a few of the sports and recreational events that I enjoy.

I walk every day to help me train for one major event that allows me to make a statement. I walk every day to be ready for the multiple sclerosis walk here in Colorado Springs, Colo. This event allows me to show other people that have multiple sclerosis that they too can beat this disease. That is the reason I walk every day.

Here are some tips and benefits for people thinking about taking up walking for their health that have multiple sclerosis:

Tip number one

Stretching is the most important tip I have for anybody looking to get into walking for their health. I stretch for about 15 minutes before going on any walk, whether that is in my own neighborhood, or anywhere else in the state of Colorado.

I always make sure I stretch before I go on any walk, because of my multiple sclerosis. My multiple sclerosis causes a great deal of pain in my legs if I do not properly stretch before I go on a walk, and this is the reason I always stretch for 15 minutes before I go on a walk.

Tip number two

Warming up is another essential element for my walking. I start off every walk by walking slowly, and then build my way up to a more intense speed. This allows for my muscles to become ready for a good intense walk.

Tip number three

I always ensure that I have a water bottle with me when I go on my walks. This ensures that I'm able to stay hydrated especially since I tend to go for long walks in the summertime.

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Walking with Multiple Sclerosis: Tips to a Good Walk

I first started to play tennis back in the summer of 2009, when I first heard the name and story of Sue Burke. Sue Burke is not just any tennis player though. Sue was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis just like I was in 2006. The story of Sue Burke is what actually made me start to play sport of tennis.

Sue is a world class tennis coach who coached the American women's team at one of the highest venues in the world. Sue was an American women's Pan American Games coach in Argentina. The fact that she is still active in the sport though is the reason I decided to give tennis a try, and I fell in love with the sport.

This is the reason I will bring you my top ten benefits for playing tennis with multiple sclerosis.

Benefit number one

Tennis is not a sport that requires constant energy like football, basketball, and hockey. This means that I do get short periods of rest in between the speed and agility that playing tennis does require. This allows me to play a complete game on my good days.

Benefit number two

Do to my multiple sclerosis I had a period of time where I was fighting to regain my reflexes, and my reaction times. These are things that my doctor regularly checks up on when I go to my appointments. I have been able to regain both my reflexes and reaction time through the sport of tennis.

Benefit number three

Tennis much like swimming has been responsible for giving me back my balance. The stop and go motions of playing tennis is the reason I can move better today than I could six years ago, when I was first being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Benefit number four

Continue reading here:
Tennis: Game Point on Multiple Sclerosis

JERUSALEM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ: TEVA - News) today announced interim data from a prospective, open label survey study evaluating spasticity in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who transitioned to COPAXONE (glatiramer acetate injection) from interferon-beta treatment. These data were presented today at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Interim results for the first 52 of 110 participants revealed a significant reduction in muscle stiffness, pain and discomfort, as well as the effect of spasticity on the ability to walk, body movements and activities of daily living (ADLs). Improvement was also found in reduction of total spasticity scores during the six month period.

Spasticity, one of the more common symptoms of RRMS, can often negatively impact patients daily lives, said Cira Fraser PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, Associate Professor and Graduate Faculty, Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, New Jersey and Principal Investigator of the study. These data may suggest a reduction in the key measures of spasticity in RRMS patients who discontinued interferon-beta treatment and transitioned to COPAXONE.

The prospective longitudinal survey research study is evaluating 110 participants utilizing the Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity Scale (MSSS-88), the Performance Scales, and a socio demographic questionnaire completed when transitioning between treatments and at month six. Study criteria included participants who had stopped interferon-beta treatment within 30 days; were about to start, or started COPAXONE within the previous 21 days; had spasticity; and were able to ambulate with unilateral support or without. Of the 52 participants, whose data are currently being reported, 35 percent were taking medication for spasticity prior to enrollment and during the six month period.

These study results contribute to the body of knowledge on the treatment of RRMS, said Jon Congleton, Teva's Senior Vice President, Global Brand Strategic Marketing. Through the ongoing support of research such as this, Teva is continually working to help improve the lives of RRMS patients.

ABOUT THE STUDY

Additional detail can be found on the AAN website: http://www.abstracts2view.com/aan/

[P07.074] A Prospective Study of Spasticity in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Transition from Interferon-Beta to Glatiramer Acetate (Session P07: Multiple Sclerosis: Symptoms, April 26 at 2:00 PM) Cira J. Fraser, West Long Branch, NJ

ABOUT COPAXONE

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Preliminary Data Suggest Spasticity May Be Reduced in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients Who Transitioned ...

I have been swimming all over the state of Florida. I frequent the state of Florida in the summertime because this is the most exciting state to swim in. Where else can you enjoy a good relaxing swim with this many sea creatures? My swims in Florida have brought me face-to-face with dolphins, manatees, and barracudas. This is the reason I love to swim in Florida.

I also enjoy the white sandy beaches, and the perfectly clear waters that Florida has to offer.

This is the reason I want to share with you the 5 best locations to swim in Florida:

Destination number one

Our first stop for a good swim comes from the Miami Seaquarium. The Seaquarium offers a unique experience, which is the reason I put it first on my list. The Seaquarium allows people of all ages to interact with the dolphins. The Seaquarium educates you about the dolphins first. Then allows you to interact and swim with the dolphins.

This was not a free swim, though. It cost me about $200 for this swim. The most exciting part to me was the opportunity to go into the deeper end of the water and get a ride back. I was able to grab a hold of the fin on the dolphins back, and go for a quick ride. These animals sure can move. I have never been able to interact like I did this day with the dolphins. It made me forget that I even had multiple sclerosis, as it was the most memorable day I have ever had.

Destination number two

Crystal River, Fla., is my second stop to swim with the manatees. There are a lot of different trips you can take in Crystal River to go and swim with the manatees. I have to say that it is a special treat every time I get to swim with these beautiful creatures. The manatees are rather friendly animals for all the experiences I've had with them.

The reason I love to swim with the manatees is that while you are enjoying the water you do not have to try very hard to encounter one of these animals. I have noticed that as long as you are swimming in their vicinity they will come up to you. I have noticed when I swim with the manatees they seem to be as interested in me as I am in them. Being that at anytime my multiple sclerosis could get worse and put me in a wheelchair, I take every chance I can to enjoy these creatures.

Destination number three

Read more:
Swimming With Multiple Sclerosis: Top 5 Florida Swim Destinations

ROCKLAND, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

EMD Serono, Inc., a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announced today that new data from the companys multiple sclerosis (MS) portfolio will be presented at the American Academy of Neurologys 64th Annual Meeting, taking place from April 21 to 28, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The data presented will focus on Rebif (interferon beta-1a), an established therapy for relapsing forms of MS, and ONO-4641 (S1P receptor agonist), an investigational oral drug in Phase II for the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS, for which Merck KGaA signed a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceuticals in October 2011.

Presentations to be made at the upcoming AAN meeting further improve our understanding of the clinical effects of Rebif and show Phase II results on our new investigational drug ONO-4641, said Dr. Annalisa Jenkins, Head of Global Drug Development and Medical at Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. We are committed to advancing multiple sclerosis care, research and outcomes in order to provide treatments for people living with this devastating disease.

The following abstracts have been accepted for presentation at the 64th AAN Annual Meeting:

Rebif(interferon beta-1a) Data blitz1presentation followed by a poster presentation - Efficacy of two dosing frequencies of subcutaneous interferon beta-1a on the risk of conversion from a first demyelinating event to multiple sclerosis and on MRI measures of disease: 3-year results of Phase III, double-blind, multicentre trials (REFLEX and REFLEXION) (presentation #014, Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 6:24 PM)* * The formulation used in these studies is currently not approved in the United States

Poster presentations - Subcutaneous interferon -1a in children and adolescents with multiple sclerosis: an international retrospective study of 307 patients (poster session P04.119, Wednesday, April 25, 2012)** - Disease characteristics, dosing, and outcomes of subcutaneous interferon -1a treatment differ between children and adolescents with multiple sclerosis (poster P04.120, Wednesday, April 25, 2012)** ** This retrospective cohort study examines both Rebif and the serum-free formulation of Rebif. The serum-free formulation of Rebif is currently not approved in the United States. - Association of Targeted Blood Biomarkers with Interferon Beta-1a Treatment Administration, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Activity, and Treatment Response (poster P02.089, Tuesday, April 24, 2012)

ONO-4641 (S1P receptor agonist) Data blitz1presentation followed by a poster presentation - A double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase II, 26-week DreaMS trial of a selective S1P receptor agonist ONO-4641 in patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (presentation #013, Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 6:21 PM)

1 A data blitz presentation is a 3 minute oral presentation included in a 45 minutes oral session.

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the central nervous system and is the most common, non-traumatic, disabling neurological disease in young adults. It is estimated that there are approximately 400,000 people in the United States living with MS.

Originally posted here:
EMD Serono to Present New Data on Multiple Sclerosis at the American Academy of Neurology’s 64th Annual Meeting

Public release date: 19-Apr-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Arney Rosenblat arney.rosenblat@nmss.org 212-476-0436 National Multiple Sclerosis Society

New York Doctors at several centers across the U.S. are recruiting people who have multiple sclerosis (MS) to determine the effectiveness of high-dose vitamin D supplements for reducing MS disease activity. The vitamins would be added to standard therapy with glatiramer acetate (Copaxone, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries). The study, funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, is being led by Ellen Mowry, MD, MCR, at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Other cities with centers recruiting participants include Portland, St. Louis, and San Francisco, and additional centers are being established.

A number of genetic and environmental factors influence whether a person will get MS. These factors may also impact the severity of the disease. Mounting evidence has been pointing to a reduced level of vitamin D in the blood as a risk factor for developing MS. In lab mice, vitamin D can reduce the effects of EAE, an MS-like disease, and growing evidence suggests it is time to test whether vitamin D can provide benefits to people who have MS.

Investigators are seeking 172 clinical trial participants between the ages of 18 and 50, who have been diagnosed with the relapsing-remitting form of MS. More details on the enrollment criteria are available at: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01490502.

Participants will begin standard Copaxone treatment daily and will be randomly assigned to take the current recommended daily allowance of vitamin D or a high dose. The primary goal of the study is to determine whether vitamin D can reduce the proportion of people who experience a relapse. Other outcomes being studied include relapse rates, quality of life, brain tissue volume, disability progression, and safety.

###

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with the disease. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S. and over 2.1 million worldwide.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

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Clinical trial launches to see whether vitamin D helps treat multiple sclerosis

ScienceDaily (Mar. 19, 2012) Patients with relapsing onset Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who consumed alcohol, wine, coffee and fish on a regular basis took four to seven years longer to reach the point where they needed a walking aid than people who never consumed them. However the study, published in the April issue of the European Journal of Neurology, did not observe the same patterns in patients with progressive onset MS.

The authors say that the findings suggest that different mechanisms might be involved in how disability progresses in relapsing and progressive onset MS.

Researchers asked patients registered with the Flemish MS Society to take part in a survey, which included questions on themselves, their MS and their current consumption of alcohol, wine, coffee, tea, fish and cigarettes.

The 1,372 patients who agreed to take part were also asked to indicate whether they had reached stage six on the zero to ten stage Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and, if so, when this had happened.

"MS is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system" explains lead author Dr Marie D'hooghe from the National MS Center at Melsbroek, Belgium. "The clinical symptoms, progression of disability and severity of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another.

"Two major MS onset types can be distinguished. Progressive onset MS is characterised by a gradual worsening of neurological function from the beginning, whereas patients with relapsing onset MS patients experience clearly defined attacks of worsening neurologic function with partial or full remission.

"EDSS 6 is an important milestone in the development of MS as it is the point at which patients need support to walk a reasonable distance."

The patients who took part were aged between 17 and 89 years-of-age:

The researchers analysed how long it had taken people to reach EDSS 6 and compared those who reported moderate consumption of fish, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and cigarettes with those who reported occasional or no consumption. This showed that:

The time differences quoted above did not take into account gender, age at onset and treatment, which are known to affect disability progression in MS. But even after adjusting for these factors, the hazard risk analysis for time to sustained EDSS 6 (where 1.0 was the reference number for zero consumption) showed that:

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Lifestyle study highlights key differences in relapsing and progressive onset multiple sclerosis

They say the boys of summer are baseball players. So I guess this would make me one of the girls of summer. All my life I grew up with boys around. I had one sister, and she also hung out with the boys. I was the competitive one; I did not care if it was against guys or girls. This may be the reason that in the summertime I played baseball with the boys.

I have been playing baseball for the last 20 years. I play competitively against the boys. I have always said if a boy can do it, so can I. I have a mean arm on me, and can play with the best of them. Since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, though, I can no longer bat. I cannot run as fast as I need to in order to be able to bat. This is the reason that we use a pinch hitter in my place.

I have compiled a list of ways that keep me in the game even with my multiple sclerosis:

Tip number one

I have to maintain a cool body temperature. In order to do this I drink plenty of water. I maintain enough water to keep me hydrated and cool. I wear bright colors in order to keep the sun rays off of me as well.

The reason that playing baseball is still important to me even with multiple sclerosis is that I want to show the boys I can still strike them out. This is something that I have always taken great pride in being able to do. I told myself that I would never give up playing baseball, unless I ended up in a wheelchair. Well, I have not ended up in a wheelchair, so I still look forward to striking the boys out.

Tip number two

I always stretch before every game. I always spend about 15 minutes warming up before a game because it loosens up the muscles. This allows me to stay in the game longer. It also means that I get to make the boys suffer. I can still throw a mean fastball as long as I'm warmed up. This is the reason I stick to warming up for 15 minutes.

Tip number three

Even though I'm still competitive on the mound, it does not mean I can overdo it. The saying "no pain, no gain" is a saying I do not listen to when it comes to my multiple sclerosis. I know I'm still in pretty good shape for somebody that has a disability like multiple sclerosis, but I know not to overdo it. The mentality of sitting out the game when my multiple sclerosis has the best of me is what has allowed me to endure 20 years of this sport.

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Multiple Sclerosis and Baseball: Top 5 Tips to Staying in the Game

Produced by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, this video is a general overview of what MS is and how it affects individuals and their families. Information is provided on the services offered by the MS Society, and outlines some of its fundraising events. The video encourages volunteers to join the Society and become involved in its efforts

Read more from the original source:
Multiple Sclerosis - Faces of MS

MS Learn Online is the National MS Society's online educational webcast series.

Continue reading here:
Who? Why? How? - Searching for the Cause of Multiple Sclerosis Part 1 -- National MS Society

22-06-2011 07:27 Fatigue is one of the many invisible and most common symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. Here is my own personal view of Fatigue, hope you enjoy

See more here:
MS Fatigue - Multiple Sclerosis - Video

By Michelle Fay Cortez - Thu May 10 22:26:00 GMT 2012

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned doctors and patients against the use of an unproven procedure known as liberation therapy that some physicians have touted as a treatment for multiple sclerosis.

The procedure uses a balloon-tipped catheter or a metal device called a stent to prop open narrowed blood vessels in the neck and chest that some investigators claim may exacerbate or even cause multiple sclerosis, a degenerative disease of the brain and spinal cord. The therapy has been linked to strokes, migration of the metal stents, damaged veins, blood clots, abdominal bleeding and death, the FDA said in a statement.

The unapproved treatment is used for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency, which some doctors say may worsen multiple sclerosis by hindering blood flow from the brain and spinal cord, the agency said. No studies have conclusively linked multiple sclerosis to the condition and there is no accepted method to diagnose it, the FDA said.

There is no reliable evidence from controlled clinical trials that this procedure is effective in treating MS, said William Maisel, deputy director for science in the FDAs Center for Devices and Radiological Health, who called for study of the link between multiple sclerosis and narrowed veins. Patients are encouraged to discuss the potential risks and benefits of this procedure with a neurologist or another doctor familiar with the procedure, he said in a statement.

Multiple sclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease, affects about 400,000 Americans, according to National Multiple Sclerosis Society. It stems from damage to the myelin sheath, fatty tissue that protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord used to conduct electrical impulses that control movement.

The condition is currently treated with medications, including Biogen Idec Inc. (BIIB)s Avonex and Tysabri and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA)s Copaxone.

To contact the reporter on this story: Michelle Fay Cortez in Minneapolis at mcortez@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Reg Gale at rgale5@bloomberg.net

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FDA Warns MS Patients Against Unproven Stent Procedure

Editor's Choice Main Category: Cancer / Oncology Also Included In: Colorectal Cancer;Multiple Sclerosis Article Date: 28 Jun 2012 - 9:00 PDT

Current ratings for: Cancer Risk Lower In Multiple Sclerosis Patients

3 (2 votes)

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health, is published in the journal Brain.

Lead author of the study Elaine Kingwell, a postdoctoral fellow in the UBC Faculty of Medicine and Brain Research Center at UBC and VCH Research Institute, explained:

After comparing diagnoses of cancer in MS patients in British Columbia with those of the general public, the researchers discovered that MS patients were less likely to develop cancer. In particular MS patients had a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer. However, the team found that these patients had a slightly increased risk of developing brain and bladder cancer, although this increase was not significant. Furthermore, the risk for non-melanoma skin cancer was significantly higher among patients with relapsing-onset MS.

The researchers note that further studies are required in order to understand why MS patients have a reduced overall risk of developing cancer.

The researchers also found that MS patients who developed cancer usually had larger tumors at time of diagnosis. They state that more researcher is needed to find out why some tumors might be caught later in individuals with MS.

Helen Tremlett, associate professor in the UBC Faculty of Medicine, said: "Because the symptoms of MS can be broad and include feelings of fatigue, it's possible the symptoms of cancer are being masked or overlooked."

Tremlett states that MS patients and their physicians should continue to follow cancer screening guidelines, regardless of the study findings. A follow-up study is planned in order for the researchers to determine if cancer mortality rates are altered in MS patients.

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Cancer Risk Lower In Multiple Sclerosis Patients

I grew up cycling in the summertime. This is the reason I still love cycling. It provides me with a great form of exercise for my multiple sclerosis as well. I have cycled in some beautiful places all across the United States as both a child and an adult.

This is the reason I will take you on a 5-stop tour for cyclist. These are 5 of the top places that I have either been cycling as a child or an adult. These 5 stops are also the most memorable stops that I have made in my lifetime.

Stop number one

I grew up in the Hudson Valley area in New York. This is one of the reasons that I love to revisit this area as one of my cycling destinations. The one park that I have returned time and time again to ride through is Minnewaska State Park. This is one of the most beautiful places to go cycling in New York's Hudson Valley area.

The reason I love this park so much is that it offers some of the most beautiful landscaping in New York. As I ride through this park I enjoy stopping and looking over the cliffs at the scenery below. It offers views of the surrounding lakes. As I continue to ride through the park I eventually arrive at my favorite spot. This is the wonderful waterfall that runs through the park.

This allows me time to stop and reflect as an adult who is fighting multiple sclerosis. This is the reason I always find the time to stop by this waterfall.

Stop number two

I was born and raised in Palm Springs, Calif.; this is the reason it is stop number two on my tour. My favorite stop in the Palm Springs region is Joshua Tree National Park. This ride is one that allows me to reflect, while riding through this park. I always tend to forget about my multiple sclerosis while riding in this park. There are miles of ground to cover and for me the longer I'm able to ride on these trails the better I feel about my accomplishments in life.

Stop number three

Murrells Inlet, S.C., is my third stop on this cycling tour. In particularly I will be heading straight for Huntington Beach State Park. This is a ride that blows my mind every time I take it. Huntington Beach State Park is known for its alligators, and, boy, have I ever seen them. These are creatures that put fear into me. The only time I do not seem to fear these creatures is when I ride in this park.

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Cycling With Multiple Sclerosis: 5 Stop Tour