Monthly Archives: February 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Newswise — NEW ORLEANS – The American Academy of Neurology and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society are awarding the 2012 John Dystel Prize for MS Research to Richard M. Ransohoff, MD, with the Cleveland Clinic. Ransohoff, a member of the American Academy of Neurology and Associate Editor of Neurology®, the Academy’s medical journal, will receive the award at the Academy’s 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, April 21-28, 2012. The Annual Meeting is the world’s largest gathering of neurologists with more than 10,000 attendees and more than 2,300 scientific presentations on the latest research advance in brain disease. The John Dystel Prize recognizes a significant contribution to research in the understanding, treatment or prevention of multiple sclerosis (MS). Ransohoff’s research has focused on the central nervous system, which includes the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord. “This award recognizes the superb research done by my colleagues in my laboratory, and I'm proud to receive it on their behalf. Support by the National Institutes of Health, the National MS Society and generous individual donors showed confidence in our research and inspired our work,” said Ransohoff. “During the past 15 years, we’ve identified several new molecules as potential targets … Continue reading →

Cannabis-based treatment could be cleared for MS patients By Gordon Deegan Tuesday, February 21, 2012 Cannabis-based medicinal products, such as Sativex, could soon be available to people with multiple sclerosis and other medical conditions on prescription. Róisín Shortall, minister for state at the Department of Health, said the department was "examining the issues associated with applying controls, similar to those that apply to other controlled drugs that can be misused, such as morphine and methadone, to cannabis-based medicinal products to permit them to be prescribed and dispensed in Ireland". In a written response to a Dáil question tabled by Luke "Ming" Flanagan (Ind), Ms Shorthall said: "As the law currently stands, it is not possible for cannabis-based medicinal products such as Sativex to be prescribed by a medical practitioner in Ireland. "I am aware that claims have been made in respect of the possible health benefits of cannabis-based medicinal products for patients suffering from certain conditions, such as MS. I am also aware that Sativex is authorised in the UK for the relief of spasm in patients with multiple sclerosis." Mr Flanagan described the policy of prohibiting the supply of cannabis-based medicinal products as "heartless and cruel". Sativex has been … Continue reading →

A CLINICAL trial will test whether Vitamin D can help fight multiple sclerosis (MS). If successful, researchers say the trial could open the door to a treatment which is 100 times cheaper than other drugs available. The $2 million trial, announced today by MS Research Australia, will begin recruiting in Victoria, NSW, Tasmania and New Zealand from April. Researchers hope to find 150 people with early or suspected symptoms of MS and put them on varying doses of Vitamin D. "If we can ... watch to see if that actually slows the progress or stops the progress, and they don't actually get MS, then we know Vitamin D is having an effect," MS Research Australia CEO Jeremy Wright said. The vitamin, which can be sourced from sunlight and some foods, is gaining credence as an effective treatment in preventing MS. But all the evidence so far has been circumstantial, Mr Wright said. "If we can prove the efficacy we are going to come up with a treatment which, would you believe, is about 100 times cheaper than the current treatments," Mr Wright said. "But it won't be a solo treatment. It will join the other treatments and add impacts, is … Continue reading →