Category Archives: MS Treatment

Your Monday morning health roundup: MS hope: An experimental approach that might retrain the immune system is showing unusual promise in mouse studies and might someday become a treatment for multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. It might even work for food allergies, scientists say. The method involves injections of tiny bits, or nanoparticles, of the same stuff used in dissolving stitches. Scientists attach proteins the body has been attacking to the nanoparticles. The combo goes to the spleen, where it can meet up with key immune cells that might learn to recognize the proteins and stop the attacks. Much additional study will be needed to see if the approach is effective and safe for people. (NBC News) Miss America and mastectomy: Allyn Rose, who will compete as Miss District of Columbia in January's Miss America pageant, has unusual plans after the contest: She's going to have both breasts removed. Rose, 24, whose mother died of breast cancer, has a rare genetic condition that puts her at high risk too. She plans surgery after completing her pageant duties, either as Miss D.C. or Miss America. (ABC News) Caffeine and sports: College students and office drones aren't the … Continue reading →

Tiny synthetic particles could help scientists develop vaccines against immune response diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), research has shown. The "nanoparticles" trick the immune system into calming down and behaving normally. In tests on mice, they halted a rodent version of relapsing-remitting MS, the most common form of the serious autoimmune disease. Scientists believe the technology could be applied to a range of immune system disorders, including Type 1 diabetes, food allergies and asthma. MS occurs when the immune system attacks myelin, the fatty insulation that surrounds nerve fibres. Breaks in the myelin coating prevent nerve messages being transmitted properly, leading to symptoms ranging from numbness and tingling to full-blown paralysis. Current treatments for MS rely on suppressing the immune system, which can make patients susceptible to infections and cancer. Instead, the nanoparticle vaccine re-sets the immune system to stop the "friendly fire" attacks. The nanoparticles, made from two biodegradable compounds that occur naturally in the body, are attached to myelin proteins. Injected into sick mice, the nanoparticles were viewed by the immune system as ordinary dying blood cells which can be ignored. This also caused the immune system to tolerate the myelin proteins attached to them. Having learned … Continue reading →

Onward Behavioral Health, a leading provider of behavioral healthcare services, is pleased to announce the hiring of Amanda Elkin as the Clinical Director of their residential eating disorder program, Magnolia Creek Treatment Center for Eating Disorders. Birmingham, Alabama (PRWEB) November 14, 2012 Amanda Elkin, a licensed professional counselor, brings with her to Magnolia Creek Treatment Center seven years of clinical and supervisory experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Ms. Elkins expertise is in the fields of eating disorders and addiction. Ms. Elkin comes to Magnolia Creek Treatment Center from Pine Grove Behavioral Health in Hattiesburg, Mississippi where she served as the Clinical Director of Family Programming. Ms. Elkin has also facilitated clinical groups for individuals with chemical addictions as well as eating disorders at Pine Grove Behavioral Health. Previously Ms. Elkin worked in the Community Counseling Program at the University of Southern Mississippi. Additionally, Ms. Elkin has lectured at many professional conferences on topics ranging from food and sex addiction to substance abuse and codependency. We are excited to have Amanda join our team and are confident that she will help us to continue to provide our clients with phenomenal treatment, said Dr. Susan Campling, Executive Director of Magnolia … Continue reading →

NSW Treasurer Mike Baird / Pic: Ella Pellegrini. Source: The Sunday Telegraph LIBERAL MLC Catherine Cusack, who voted to recall Treasurer Mike Baird for a budget grilling, has spoken out against her treatment this week. Ms Cusack was angry the media was told of her vote, which meant Mr Baird would have to face a supplementary budget estimates hearing. Mr Baird has been under fire after an Auditor-General's report found the state budget contained a $1 billion blunder. Ms Cusack said she would refer the leaking of the deliberations to the parliament's privileges committee. Ms Cusack voted for a Labor motion that would shut down all supplementary hearings for the portfolios of Premier, western Sydney, finance, planning and Illawarra, in return for a hearing into the Treasury estimates. She said she was under the impression that fellow Coalition MPs Melinda Pavey and Matthew Mason-Cox would vote the same way. Mr Mason-Cox objected, and Ms Cusack was unable to then rescind her original vote. "It took me by surprise," Ms Cusack said. "I thought it would be a good result for the government if we could shut down supplementary hearings," she said. Continued here: Liberal MP's anger at vote leak … Continue reading →

THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OPXA), a company developing Tcelna, a novel T-cell therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS), today announced that Health Canada has approved the Company's Clinical Trial Application (CTA). The application was filed with the Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate. With this approval by the Canadian Health Authority, Opexa expects to expand its ongoing clinical trial in Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) patients to include several sites in Canada. The Abili-T trial, a Phase 2b study of Tcelna in subjects with SPMS, is currently enrolling patients in the United States. To date, over a half of the clinical sites have been initiated and approximately ten percent of subjects have been enrolled. Enthusiasm and support remains strong among the patients and the treatment sites. The trial is expected to enroll 180 patients in approximately 30 sites in the U.S. and Canada and conclude in 2015. In addition, at the end of September, The United States Adopted Names Council (USANC) officially adopted Tcelnas non-proprietary name, imilecleucel-T. USANC is tri-sponsored by the American Medical Association, the United States Pharmacopeial Convention, and the American Pharmacists Association. USANC aims to standardize drug nomenclature by selecting informative and unique non-proprietary names for all … Continue reading →

Saskatchewan residents with multiple sclerosis who have travelled outside Canada for liberation therapy can soon be evaluated by sonographers using Doppler ultrasound at Radiology Associates of Regina (RAR). Dr. Kunal Goyal, a radiologist with the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region and RAR and an assistant professor of clinical radiology at the University of Saskatchewan, believes RAR is the first site in the province to offer the service. The Doppler ultrasound that will be offered at RAR aims to provide timely, safe and in-province service to patients who would otherwise have to travel outside Saskatchewan for followup. Hundreds of Canadians started going outside the country for liberation treatment after Dr. Paolo Zambo-ni hypothesized in 2009 that MS is caused by a narrowing of veins in the neck - a condition he dubbed chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI). Zamboni believes the constriction causes blood draining from the brain to back up, creating iron deposits and setting off brain inflammation. His treatment uses angioplasty, where a tiny balloon is threaded into the vein and inflated to open the narrowing. RAR worked with the Ministry of Health to offer the Doppler ultrasound service to those who have had liberation therapy. The College of Physicians and … Continue reading →

MS Dhoni today paid tribute to Yuvraj Singh as the Indian prepares to return to Test cricket after winning his battle with cancer. The 30-year-old has not played Test cricket for a year after treatment for a rare form of lung cancer. He made a successful international return in the World T20 before scoring a double century in the Duleep Trophy followed by five wickets and a 50 for India A against England. Dhoni said today: He looks in good shape. It takes a lot of fitness to score a double hundred. Im just hoping he does not have to field for two days. There is no need for the car which is capable of a long haul to be driven the full distance. Dhoni said Yuvrajs recovery is an indication of his character. Hes aggressive, said the skipper. Hes someone who really wants to perform at the top level. The best thing for us is he bats at five or six and is a left-arm spinnner. Its a very important role for us because we dont have a genuine all-rounder and play with four bowlers. His contribution will be very important. He can be quite intimidating the way he … Continue reading →

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- My MS Manager, the first-of-its-kind mobile phone application developed to help individuals better manage their MS, is now available on the Android platform. Since its launch in the Apple App Store in June of 2011, My MS Manager has been downloaded more than 9,000 times, with users entering data about their MS on various Apple mobile products. Developed in conjunction with Ringful Health, My MS Manager offers individuals a convenient and effective tool to manage the ever-changing course of the disease. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120620/PH27981LOGO ) According to rock-n-roll photographer and MSAA Ambassador Anna Webber, My MS Manager has made a difference in her life. "The travel and hours alone in my industry are enough to wreak havoc on a healthy body, let alone one that is managing MS on a daily basis," says Webber. "My MS Manager has been a life saver for me! It keeps me on top of everything, from taking my medicine to journaling my flare-ups and any other issue that I might encounter. My MS Manager has filled an important void in managing not only my MS, but my health." MSAA President and CEO Douglas G. Franklin states, "It … Continue reading →

I n the United States, there are 400,000 people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), with nearly one person being diagnosed each hour. New treatments are being introduced, yet the condition is an ongoing health concern. Dan Messina, Ph.D., FACHE, National MS Society board member and senior vice president and COO of CentraState Healthcare System, explains,Receiving a diagnosis can be devastating to an individual and their family, but receiving care that is specialized to the patients unique needs, can help with learning to live with MS. It begins with an accurate diagnosis, establishing an individualized treatment plan and helping patients and families to receive necessary support services. That is why in 2002, CentraState committed to developing the nationally recognized state-of-the-art Linda E. Cardinale MS Center, one of only two in the state. This 4,400-square-foot facility allows patients to receive all primary and support health care services to help them manage their MS.Through our center, patients can meet with our 11 certified MS specialists in physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech language pathology, the most of any MS Center in the nation.We also offer integrated, holistic care with neurologists, urologists, physiatrists, nutritionists, psychotherapists and social workers, as well as support groups and … 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 Lazard Capital Markets 9th Annual Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. EST. The conference will be held at The Pierre Hotel in New York City. A live and archived webcast of the company presentation can be accessed via the Investor Relations section of the Companys website at http://www.opexatherapeutics.com. About Tcelna Tcelna is a personalized therapy that is specifically tailored to each patient's disease profile. Tcelna is manufactured using ImmPath, Opexa's proprietary method for the production of a patient-specific T-cell immunotherapy, which encompasses the collection of blood from the MS patient, isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, generation of an autologous pool of myelin-reactive T-cells (MRTCs) raised against selected peptides from myelin basic protein (MBP), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and proteolipid protein (PLP), and the return of these expanded, irradiated T-cells back to the patient. These attenuated T-cells are reintroduced into the patient via subcutaneous injection to trigger a therapeutic immune system response. Opexa believes the potential combination of efficacy, superior safety, … Continue reading →