Category Archives: MS Treatment

The Universitys Brain Health Institute is expanding research on the treatment of brain disorders thanks to Cheryl Dreyfus, a leading multiple sclerosis researcher. Dreyfus, professor and chair of the Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, said since she began working on models of the disease in tissue cultures, she hoped to approach a treatment for the autoimmune disease that affects about 350,000 people in the United States. We really dont know well what MS is, but were finding growth factors that affect cells in development can also affect those cells that are dying in MS [patients], she said. Dreyfus said her lab team is examining a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which can help create new brain cells and prevent existing ones from dying. In patients with MS, the myelin sheath, or protective covering that insulates brain cells, disintegrates, Dreyfus said, leading to symptoms ranging from muscle spasms and difficulty speaking to visual impairment and depression. Many treatments for MS deal with treating inflammation that occurs when the sheath around the brain cells diminishes, Dreyfus said. But her labs approach to finding a treatment focuses on recovering brain function, she said. Her partnership … Continue reading →

ScienceDaily (Sep. 11, 2012) A research study conducted by Dr. Jesus Lovera, Assistant Professor of Neurology at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, and colleagues has found that the herbal supplement Ginkgo biloba does not improve cognitive function in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS.) Cognitive impairment affects 40-60% of people with MS, most commonly affecting their processing speed, memory, and executive skills. The research findings were published online ahead of print in Neurology on Sept. 5, 2012. This study followed up on a promising earlier small study by Dr. Lovera and his colleagues that had shown improvement in cognitive function with Ginkgo biloba in people with MS. Some studies have also shown improvement after treatment with Ginkgo biloba in people with Alzheimer's disease. "Ginkgo biloba supplements are frequently used by people with MS. Ginkgo appeared beneficial in a prior small pilot study we had done," said Dr. Jesus Lovera, a neurologist at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans who specializes in MS. The researchers wanted to conduct a larger more robust study to determine the validity of the preliminary results. One hundred twenty people with MS were randomized to either the group treated with 120 mg of Ginkgo biloba twice … Continue reading →

Public release date: 11-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Leslie Capo lcapo@lsuhsc.edu 504-568-4806 Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans, LA A research study conducted by Dr. Jesus Lovera, Assistant Professor of Neurology at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, and colleagues has found that the herbal supplement Ginkgo biloba does not improve cognitive function in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS.) Cognitive impairment affects 40-60% of people with MS, most commonly affecting their processing speed, memory, and executive skills. The research findings were published online ahead of print in Neurology on September 5, 2012. This study followed up on a promising earlier small study by Dr. Lovera and his colleagues that had shown improvement in cognitive function with Ginkgo biloba in people with MS. Some studies have also shown improvement after treatment with Ginkgo biloba in people with Alzheimer's disease. "Ginkgo biloba supplements are frequently used by people with MS. Ginkgo appeared beneficial in a prior small pilot study we had done," said Dr. Jesus Lovera, a neurologist at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans who specializes in MS. The researchers wanted to conduct a larger more robust study to determine the validity of the preliminary results. … Continue reading →

By: Joleene DesRosiers Moody OSWEGO, NY Larry Lombardo has been in business for 25 years. A week after Bridie Manor opened its doors, Lombardo was diagnosed with a chronic, progressive disease that affects the central nervous system, brain, spinal cord and optic nerves: Multiple Sclerosis. Larry Lombardo beats the odds every day. He plays piano regularly. Now hes ready to celebrate a dual milestone that has more than opened his eyes to a world where blood, sweat and tears are much more than a metaphor. Im 58-years-old and Ive had MS for over two decades, he said. Ive owned this place just as long. What better way to celebrate our anniversary together than educating people in our community about this disease? Weve reached out to Multiple Sclerosis Resources of New York to help us with a fundraiser that will do just that. Multiple Sclerosis Resources of New York of East Syracuse has teamed up with OswegoCountyToday.com to spearhead the event. On Saturday, October 6, close to 250 people are expected to take part in a Poker Run. Participating business are: Thrifty Shopper The Press Box Murdocks Bicycles and Sports Cider Moon Coffee and Caf Marias Family Restaurant Harbor Towne Gifts … 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 Warma, President and Chief Executive Officer, will participate in two upcoming industry conferences. Details regarding these events are as follows: Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) Annual Meeting This conference will take place September 9-11, 2012 at the JW Marriott Hill Country in San Antonio, Texas. Each year, the organizers of the IPO Annual Meeting invite one CEO to deliver a keynote luncheon address. This year, Mr. Warma has been selected to provide insight on the role of intellectual property rights from the perspective of business. The 8thAnnual Burrill Personalized Medicine Meeting This meeting of researchers, drug developers, analysts, investors and other life science industry representatives will take place September 13-14, 2012 at the Bentley Reserve & Conference Center in San Francisco. Mr. Warma will join several additional panelists as they discuss the implications that advances in personalized medicine are having on the drug development business. Mr. Warma will share Opexas experiences regarding the clinical development of Tcelna, the first ever personalized T-cell therapy for MS patients. About Opexa Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. is dedicated to the development … Continue reading →

Union Point Park is bustling with cyclists and organizers in preparation for the annual Bike MS event. Last year the effort raised $ 1.7 million towards find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. "This year we are hoping for $1.7 Million," says Bike Coordinator Elizabeth Robson, "I checked an we are sitting right around $1.1 million. But we have until October to fund raise." Each cyclist is required to donate at least $300 towards a cure. This year 2,100 cyclists and over 500 volunteers have registered for the event. Last year's top fundraiser, Elizabeth Page, is back again this year. She is the team captain for "Missing Spokes", a team now celebrating its twelfth year participating in Bike MS. Page was diagnosed about eighteen years ago. She says shortly after diagnosis, she had a big realization. "I realized oh m y gosh not only do I have MS, I have a disease that there is no treatment for, no cure," says Page. That realization is what has driven her towards raising awareness across our region. "Well you know people are not aware of just how many folks do have MS. A lot of us are like myself and their walking around … Continue reading →

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Botox is now being used to treat people with multiple sclerosis coping with incontinence. Lisa Fine walks with confidence and little pain. Three months ago that was not the case. "You're walking somewhere and thinking everything is fine and urine just starts streaming down your leg," Fine said. No bladder control is one of the silent symptoms Fine has living with multiple sclerosis: a chronic condition that affects the central nervous system. That was before she was injected with the popular cosmetic treatment, Botox. Dr. Marlene Murphy says, "Botox is a neuro toxin. It stops spasms in muscles whether they are in your face, whether they are in your shoulder or neck or leg or your bladder." Dr. Murphy is a urologist at the Mandell Center for Multiple Sclerosis at Mt. Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital in Hartford. "Basically the way it works, by injecting it into the bladder, it paralyzes a muscle and allows the bladder to hold just like my bladder," Dr. Murphy said. Fine is ecstatic with the results. "I had very little expectations," Fine said. "It blew it away, it blew it away." Read this article: Cosmetic treatment benefits MS patients … Continue reading →

Public release date: 6-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Siok Ming Ong ong_siok_ming@a-star.edu.sg 65-682-66254 Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore Scientists from A*STAR's Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), together with clinical collaborators from London , discovered for the first time that children and young patients with chronic Hepatitis B Virus infection (HBV carriers) do have a protective immune response, contrary to current belief, and hence can be more suitable treatment candidates than previously considered. This discovery by the team of scientists led by Professor Antonio Bertoletti, programme director and research director of the infection and immunity programme at SICS, could lead to a paradigm shift in the current treatment of patients with chronic HBV. The findings were published in Gastroenterology on 1st September. Current guidelines from international liver associations recommend delaying therapy until HBV carriers show clear signs of active liver disease, which generally appear after the age of 30 . This is based on two assumptions. One, young patients are unable to react to treatment because they are immune-tolerant to the virus. This means that there is no protective immune response in their body to help them get rid of the virus, and therefore, … Continue reading →

Sept. 8, 2012, midnight Contact with amazing and inspiring breast cancer patients and their families is the best part of the job for newly appointed McGrath Breast Care Nurse Vanessa Hyland. Ms Hyland has been working one day a week at the Dubbo Community Health Centre for the past five years with Specialist Breast Care Nurse Margie Collins. Thanks to funding from the McGrath Foundation Ms Hyland now works four days a week as a McGrath Breast Care Nurse. Based at Dubbo Community Health Centre Ms Hyland has over 18 years experience and became a specialist breast care nurse in 2000. She will provide additional physical, psychological and emotional support for families experiencing breast cancer, from the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment. "My favourite part of the job is definitely the contact with the ladies and their families," she said. "They are amazing people and definitely inspiring." Everyday on the job is different, according to Ms Hyland, who completes tasks such as visiting women who are having surgery or undergoing treatment at the oncology unit, to making follow up phone calls to clients who live in smaller towns surrounding Dubbo. Thanks to the funding provided by the McGrath Foundation … Continue reading →

Shares of Elan (ELN) have been buoyed by two hopeful catalytic events, both of which appear to have gone away. As a result, this stock, which has nearly doubled in the last 18 months and carries a $6.8 billion market valuation, could be poised for a sharp fall. Hope that the company`s drug candidate, bapineuzumab, would become an important treatment for Alzheimer`s disease put momentum behind the shares. But recently, partner Pfizer (PFE) reported that the compound showed no effect in two landmark Phase III trials, snuffing out that dream. More significant is speculation that Elan`s partner for its multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment, Tysabri, could acquire the company for the other half of the drug`s profits. That partner is Biogen Idec (BIIB), which also awaits FDA approval for its next flagship product, BG-12, a revolutionary ORAL treatment for MS. BG-12 has demonstrated strong efficacy results in Phase III trials; is taken by mouth; and has a relatively favorable safety profile. Tysabri, on the other hand, is given by IV infusion and can have severe, even deadly side effects. So why would Biogen waste resources on ELN, when it could simply cannibalize Tysabri sales (50% economics to BIIB) with new sales … Continue reading →