Multiple Sclerosis Discovery Forum

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New Findings | 14 Apr 2016

Old Drug Performs New Trick

In what may be the first demonstration of myelin repair in people with multiple sclerosis, an old antihistamine shows modest improvement in the function of chronically demyelinated optic nerves.

Carol Cruzan Morton

Thanks in part to a close collaboration between a scientist and a physician, the prospect of...

Clinical Research, Drug Development, Laboratory Research, Meetings

New Findings | 24 Feb 2016

Lessons From Fingolimod for Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Fingolimod is ineffective for PPMS, but the phase 3 trial data may improve future studies

Stephani Sutherland

Even in failure, studies can be informative. Fingolimod, a disease-modifying treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, is...

Clinical Research, Drug Development, Meetings, Methods, People

New Findings | 30 Nov 2015

Probing T Cell Gene Regulatory Networks for Early Signs of Disease

A network model of gene expression during human T cell differentiation, combined with results of genome-wide association studies, helps identify potential disease markers in asymptomatic patients with MS

Pat McCaffrey

In relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, normally protective immune T cells transform into effector cells that...

Clinical Research, Laboratory Research

New Findings | 2 Oct 2015

Studies Propose Vaccination for Troublemaking Virus

A classic immune tactic shows promise against PML, a rare but dangerous side effect of some MS treatments

Carol Cruzan Morton

A common virus found in many healthy people can cause a rare but potentially lethal...

Clinical Research, Drug Development, Laboratory Research

New Findings | 21 May 2015

Gene Variant Associated with Non-Response to Interferon β

A variant of a gene called SLC9A9 appears significantly more often in people with MS who fail to respond to interferon β therapy

Robert Finn

In a meta-analysis involving three independent cohorts of patients, researchers have identified a...

Clinical Research

New Findings | 6 Feb 2015

New MRI Technique Visualizes Lesion Repair

Using standard MRI techniques coupled with advanced statistics, researchers have demonstrated a potential new way to monitor lesion repair in a proof-of-concept study with a small cohort of highly active RRMS patients

Cynthia McKelvey

The writing is on the wall: MS patients need more effective treatments. Those treatments will likely be...

Clinical Research

New Findings | 29 Jan 2015

More Encouraging Results From Stem-Cell Transplants

A new study shows good outcomes using a less intense conditioning regimen, suggesting it may be possible to perform successful stem-cell transplants in multiple sclerosis patients with less risk of infection

Cynthia McKelvey

According to some, 2015 is the year of the future. And that tongue-in-cheek superlative (derived from...

Clinical Research

New Findings | 12 Jan 2015

Study Probes “No Evidence of Disease Activity” in MS Patients

“No evidence of disease activity,” or NEDA, means no clinical or MRI disease activity. As a treatment goal, the first study of NEDA in a “real-world” patient cohort shows plenty of room for improvement and a glimmer of hope.

Carol Cruzan Morton

Multiple sclerosis may as yet have no cure, but that’s not stopping a push to...

Clinical Research, Drug Development, Methods

New Findings | 12 Jan 2015

Stem Cell Transplants Risky But Effective

Initial results from the HALT-MS trial suggest that autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may be a highly effective treatment for patients with aggressive relapsing-remitting MS. However, some worry that the aggressive therapy is needlessly risky when safer alternatives are available and may be just as effective.

Cynthia McKelvey

It appears that a complex series of genetic and environmental factors pile on top of each other over the course of...

Clinical Research

New Findings | 19 Dec 2014

Brain Atrophy, Early Antibody Spread in Pediatric MS

A pair of studies in a Canadian multiple sclerosis cohort finds more evidence of early neurodegenerative biology and a potentially diagnostic autoimmune antibody increase in children with MS

Carol Cruzan Morton

For most people, the first symptoms of multiple sclerosis begin in adulthood, possibly after...

Clinical Research