Category Archives: MS Treatment

TV broadcasters are wearing orange as part of a national effort to raise awareness for the National MS Society. Richmond, VA (PRWEB) March 05, 2013 We wanted to find a fun and unique way to thank the Richmond media for its support, and help get the word out about multiple sclerosis and the work we do here at the Society, said Sherri Ellis, President of the Central Virginia Chapter of the National MS Society. MS Awareness Week is a nationwide initiative to share information about the disease, honoring those with MS and helping to raise funds for research. The news media, partner organizations and the society throughout the country join together each year to participate in MS Awareness Week. Last year, for instance, General Motors turned the Renaissance Center, the tallest building in Detroit, completely orange for MS Awareness Week. Nationwide, chapters of the National MS Society are constantly coming up with new ways to raise awareness of MS, said Ellis. Were excited to be working with the Richmond media to create our own way of reaching out to the public March 11-17th. To learn how you can get involved in MS Awareness Week, visit http://www.nmss.org. To join the movement … Continue reading →

CHERRY HILL, N.J., March 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) recognizes March as MS Awareness Month. Throughout March, MSAA encourages individuals to expand their knowledge, understanding, and support of individuals whose lives are affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). MSAA offers the following ways to learn and support the MS community: Interested in helping the MS community? About MSAA The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America is a national nonprofit organization and leading resource for the entire MS community, improving lives today through vital services and support. MSAA provides free programs and services, such as: a Helpline; award-winning publications including a magazine, The Motivator; website featuring educational videos and research updates; S.E.A.R.C.H. program to assist the MS community with learning about different treatment choices; a mobile phone app, My MS Manager; a resource database, My MS Resource Locator; equipment distribution ranging from grab bars to wheelchairs; cooling accessories for heat-sensitive individuals; educational events and activities; MRI funding and insurance advocacy; and more. For additional information, please visit http://www.mymsaa.org or call (800) 532-7667. About Multiple Sclerosis The most common neurological disorder diagnosed in young adults, multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. This disorder damages … Continue reading →

MIAMI (CBS4) A baby born with the AIDS virus has been cured with aggressive treatment in Mississippi, and thats generating a huge reaction in South Florida. Florida has the second highest rate of pediatric HIV cases in the country and there isongoing research to eliminate the infection. The girl, who is now 2-and-a-half years old, was given three standard medications starting when she was 30 hours old. Its a proven concept you can cure HIV. For many years we have been searching for a cure, said Dr. Gwen Scott who is the Director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases anda professor ofPediatrics at the University of Miami. The baby got three drugs because the doctor feltshe was at high risk and because the mother had no treatment. Dr. Scott told CBS4s Joan Murray that the breakthrough will cause doctors in South Florida to consider more aggressive treatments for children, and it could make a difference for adults who are diagnosed early. But she hopes the news wont deter those diagnosed with HIV from continuing their treatment. CBS4 News spoke with a 19 year old woman, who wished to remain anonymous, who was born HIV positive. She is overjoyed at news of a … Continue reading →

THE WOODLANDS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (OPXA), a company developing Tcelna, a novel T-cell therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS), today announced that Neil K. Warma, President and Chief Executive Officer, will present at the 6th Annual European Life Science CEO Forum on Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at 2:30 p.m. CET. The conference will be held at the Hilton Zurich Airport Hotel in Zurich, Switzerland. About Opexa Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. is dedicated to the development of patient-specific cellular therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as MS. The Companys leading therapy, Tcelna, is a personalized cellular immunotherapy treatment that is in late stage clinical development for MS. Tcelna is derived from T-cells isolated from peripheral blood, expanded ex vivo, and reintroduced into the patients via subcutaneous injections. This process triggers a potent immune response against specific subsets of autoreactive T-cells known to attack myelin and, thereby, reduces the risk of relapse over time. For more information, please visit the Companys website at http://www.opexatherapeutics.com. Excerpt from: Opexa Therapeutics to Present at the 6th Annual European Life Science CEO Forum … Continue reading →

DUBLIN (AP) Irish drug maker Elan Corp. announced Monday it will pay shareholders a recurring special dividend linked to the sales of the multiple sclerosis treatment Tysabri. Analysts said the offer, contingent on Elan's pending sale of its Tysabri rights to partner Biogen Idec Inc., was designed to deter shareholders from considering a takeover bid by Royal Pharma. Elan said it planned to pay shareholders 20 percent of its Tysabri royalties received from Biogen twice annually beginning in the fourth quarter this year. "This dividend structure gives shareholders the right to enjoy unlimited participation in the upside from the Tysabri sales increase which we anticipate for the future," Elan said in a statement. Elan and Biogen jointly developed Tysabri and have split earnings since the drug's troubled launch in the U.S. market in 2004. They soon withdrew Tysabri from sale after three MS sufferers using the drug contracted PML, a rare brain-inflammation disease that is often fatal. But since its return to sale in 2006 under restricted conditions Tysabri has gradually gained market traction because, despite its PML risks, it is considered most effective at reducing the frequency and severity of sudden immobilization or partial paralysis experienced by MS patients. … Continue reading →

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today we announce the launch of Orion Bionetworks, a multi-institution cooperative non-profit alliance that is unlocking the power of shared data and predictive modeling to help transform our understanding of diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and accelerate the search for cures. Alliance partners include leading organizations in patient care, computational modeling, translational research, and patient advocacy: Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis, the Institute for Neurosciences at Brigham and Womens Hospital, GNS Healthcare, MetaCell, and PatientsLikeMe. Janssen Research & Development, LLC, a New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company, has provided a $5.4 million scientific sponsorship as part of its Healthy Minds program for the initial phase of this effort. Orion Bionetworks has been established as a program of the Marin Community Foundation. Its President & CEO, Thomas Peters, Ph.D., hailed the formation of the new alliance. We are enormously proud to welcome Orion Bionetworks within the Foundation, said Peters. We are confident that this blend of expertise and creativity will lead to significant scientific success. Key supporting partners include One Mind for Research, Morrison & Foerster, Recombinant Data, and Weber Shandwick. A Unique Cooperative Alliance Through Orion Bionetworks, alliance partners contribute to a communal body of knowledge in the … Continue reading →

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis (ACP-MS) today announced the launch of Orion Bionetworks, a multi-institution cooperative alliance that is unlocking the power of shared data and predictive modeling to help transform our understanding of diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and accelerate the search for cures. Orion Bionetworks is a program of the Marin Community Fund, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, and is funded by Janssen Research & Development, LLC, a New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company, which has provided a $5.4 million scientific sponsorship as part of its Healthy Minds program for the first phase of this effort. Initially, this cooperative alliance will focus on integrating clinical, biomarker and imaging data with rich real-world patient data from existing, independent databases of over 7,000 people with MS into a causal computational disease model. We are delighted to collaborate with such a dynamic group of innovators to launch Orion Bionetworks, said Robert McBurney, Chief Executive Officer of ACP-MS. Orion is demonstrating that a predictive disease modeling alliance that uses real-world patient data can have an unprecedented ability to drive toward better treatments and, ultimately, cures for multiple sclerosis and other devastating brain disorders. Our involvement in the alliance is a … Continue reading →

Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) costs 300 a year privately Drug is not available on the NHS as it has not been trialled to combat MS By Anastasia Parks PUBLISHED: 17:00 EST, 2 March 2013 | UPDATED: 17:01 EST, 2 March 2013 In July 2009, my husband took me to Henley Royal Regatta, the scene of many of his youthful triumphs. We enjoyed a long, hot sunny day sipping Pimms. It was bliss, not least because since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis the summer before, I had become increasingly anxious about outings to beaches or markets, or even parties and weddings. For years, Id been suffering increasing tingling and numbness in my limbs that became impossible to ignore. A clicking hip while pregnant with my youngest son now seven was followed by weakness in my leg, numbness in both feet, night cramps and weak bladder control. After myriad appointments, tests and MRI scans, I received my diagnosis: primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Patient choice: Anastasia Parks has to buy Low Dose Naltrexone privately This is an uncommon form of the neurological condition which progresses inexorably. But like all variations of MS, in which the immune system turns inward and attacks the nervous … Continue reading →

Newswise SAN DIEGO The American Academy of Neurology and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society are awarding the 2013 John Dystel Prize for MS Research to George C. Ebers, MD, a leading researcher with the University of Oxford and Oxford University Hospitals Trust in Oxford, United Kingdom. Ebers will receive the award at the Academys 65th Annual Meeting in San Diego, March 16-23, 2013. The Annual Meeting is the worlds largest gathering of neurologists with more than 10,000 attendees and more than 2,300 scientific presentations on the latest research advancements in brain disease. The John Dystel Prize recognizes a significant contribution to research in the understanding, treatment or prevention of multiple sclerosis (MS). Ebers research has focused on genetic and environmental influences on MS risks. We have found that MS risk factors previously considered to be genetic can be changed based on environment, strongly implicating gene-environment interaction. Our studies highlight how climate and diet relate to factors leading to MS, which can be views as a largely preventable disease. Vitamin D exposure appears to be the main factor determining geographical risk said Ebers. This award is made possible through a special contribution from the John Dystel Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund at … Continue reading →

WARWICK, RI--(Marketwire - Mar 1, 2013) - Today, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society announced its partnership with 63 Edible Arrangements stores of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire for its second annual MS awareness campaign to raise funds to help people with MS and to support MS research. Last year, these Edible Arrangements locations donated $10,000 to this cause. Edible Arrangements stores throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire will donate five dollars from every Orange Blossom arrangement purchased during March, National MS Society's MS Awareness Month.Orange is the official color of the Society. "This fundraiser began two years ago with Edible Arrangements Boston-Manchester Co-op and recently expanded to include all of the Rhode Island locations," said Ted Kostisin, president of the Edible Arrangements Rhode Island Co-op. "The Rhode Island stores are eager to contribute to the cause and demonstrate our support for our neighboring co-op and for the Rhode Island Chapter of the National MS Society." "We value Edible Arrangements continuing generosity and we look forward to using those funds to help local individuals and families who are affected by MS, at the same time that we fund cutting-edge research around the country," said Kathy Mechnig, president of the … Continue reading →