Multiple Sclerosis News and Research

Latest Multiple Sclerosis News and Research

FTO gene associated with loss of brain tissue: UCLA researchers

Three years ago, geneticists reported the startling discovery that nearly half of all people in the U.S. with European ancestry carry a variant of the fat mass and obesity associated gene, which causes them to gain weight - from three to seven pounds, on average - but worse, puts them at risk for obesity.

20 Apr 2010

OECs may hold promise for pediatric cerebral palsy treatment

A unique cell type that supports and surrounds (ensheathes) neurons within the nose (olfactory system) known as olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), possess the ability to regenerate, are relatively easy to obtain, and have become prime candidates for transplantation to repair a number of lesions in the central nervous system (CNS).

19 Apr 2010

PRA International expands clinical research operations to New Zealand

PRA International, a leading Clinical Research Organization, announces it has established a legal entity and hired staff in New Zealand, which will complement the firm's extensive network of Asia-Pacific operations and partnerships.

19 Apr 2010

Health insurance roundup: N.Y.'s high costs, COBRA concerns, high-risk pools

News outlets are covering various aspects of the health insurance industry, especially in light of health reform.

19 Apr 2010

Access to NAbs testing important for MS therapy management

Teva Neuroscience today announced results at the 62nd American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting which demonstrated that eliminating barriers to neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) testing significantly impacted multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment choices in patients receiving interferon beta (IFNβ) therapies.

17 Apr 2010

Study shows beneficial impact of TYSABRI on QoL in MS patients

Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation, plc today announced results from a one-year, longitudinal health outcomes studys 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, April 10 - 17, 2010. The AAN Annual Meeting is the world's largest gathering of neurologists.

17 Apr 2010

New data on Cladribine Tablets presented at AAN annual meeting

EMD Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, today announced that new data providing further understanding on Cladribine Tablets as a potential new therapeutic option for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis were presented at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.

17 Apr 2010

RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals proposes common stock public offering

RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of a novel therapeutic peptide, Thymosin beta 4, for tissue and organ protection, repair and regeneration in cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system injuries, ophthalmic indications and dermal wounds, announced today that it intends to offer units consisting of shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase shares of its common stock in a public offering.

17 Apr 2010

Results of study comparing REMICADE to azathioprine for Crohn's disease published

Findings published today in The New England Journal of Medicine from a first-of-its-kind comparator trial evaluating the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha biologic treatment REMICADE (infliximab) in the treatment of moderately to severely active Crohn's disease in patients who were naive to immunomodulator and biologic therapy, showed that a significantly greater proportion of patients receiving REMICADE achieved steroid-free remission and mucosal healing compared with patients receiving azathioprine.

16 Apr 2010

Laquinimod may have neuroprotective properties in addition to anti-inflammatory effects for RRMS

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Active Biotech today announced results from several studies demonstrating that laquinimod, a novel, investigational once-daily oral immunomodulator for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) may have neuroprotective properties in addition to its anti-inflammatory effects.

16 Apr 2010

Age-related declines in peripheral nerve function may be related to metabolic factors: Study

New research investigating neurological decline in a population of "super healthy" elderly subjects found that the decline in neurological function of the peripheral nervous system attributed to aging may be related to metabolic factors, such as blood sugar levels, even if these factors are within the normal range.

16 Apr 2010

Positive results from NovaBay Pharmaceuticals' Phase 2a trial of NVC-422

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class anti-infectives for the treatment and prevention of antibiotic-resistant infections, today reported positive results of an open-label Phase 2a trial of NVC-422 in chronically catheterized patients with significant bacteriuria, or bacteria in the urine. The study showed that NVC-422 was well tolerated and reduced or eliminated certain pathogens in the urine.

15 Apr 2010

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals presents Phase III trial data of Zenvia for PBA at AAN Annual Meeting

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the presentation of detailed data, including safety and tolerability data from the open-label extension as well as cardiac safety data from the double-blind phase of the Phase III confirmatory STAR trial evaluating the investigational drug Zenvia™ (dextromethorphan/quinidine) in the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA). The data were presented in two posters at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada.

15 Apr 2010

Study: Atorvastatin may slow down MS progression

A UCSF-led study examining the impact of statins on the progression of multiple sclerosis found a lower incidence of new brain lesions in patients taking the cholesterol-lowering drug in the early stages of the disease as compared to a placebo.

15 Apr 2010

New investigational treatment may help prevent involuntary outbursts in MS and ALS patients

Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a neurologic condition of involuntary, sudden and frequent episodes of laughing or crying and is quite common in patients with underlying neurologic diseases or injuries, especially those with multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

15 Apr 2010

Genzyme presents 4-year follow-up data from Phase 2 MS trial at neurology meeting

Genzyme Corporation today reported four-year follow-up data from its completed Phase 2 multiple sclerosis (MS) trial showing an estimated 71 percent of alemtuzumab treated patients remain free of clinically-active disease as much as three years after most patients received their last course of the investigational compound. The data were presented at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting.

15 Apr 2010

GBS cases reduce following 2009 H1N1 vaccination: Research study

A new study finds that reports of a neurologic disease called Guillain-Barré syndrome have been low after 2009 H1N1 vaccination, according to a research study that will be presented as part of the late-breaking science program at the American Academy of Neurology's 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, April 10 - 17, 2010.

15 Apr 2010

Potential new drug for treatment of MS to be presented at AAN Annual Meeting

Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine will present several studies at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, including a potential new drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and surprising trends showing a reduction in the disease's severity. The meeting will take place April 10-17 in Toronto.

15 Apr 2010

Study combines CT and VBM to provide accurate picture of autistic brain

A new study, the first of its kind, combines two complementary analytical brain imaging techniques, to provide a more comprehensive and accurate picture of the neuroanatomy of the autistic brain. The study, published in the April issue of neuroimaging journal Human Brain Mapping, was conducted by researchers at The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital - The Neuro, McGill University and the Universit- de Montr-al.

15 Apr 2010

Efficacy data from Phase III STAR trial of Zenvia presented at AAN Annual Meeting

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced long-term efficacy data from the 12-week double-blind phase and the 12-week open-label extension phase of the confirmatory Phase III STAR trial evaluating Zenvia™ (dextromethorphan/quinidine) in the treatment of pseudobulbar affect in patients with underlying multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

15 Apr 2010