Contact Information Available for logged-in reporters only Newswise MINNEAPOLIS A new treatment under investigation for multiple sclerosis (MS) is safe and tolerable in phase I clinical trials, according to a study published August 27, 2014, in Neurology Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation, a new online-only, freely accessible, specialty medical journal. The publication is part of the Neurology family of journals, published by the American Academy of Neurology. The phase I studies were the first to test the drug candidate in humans. Studies with animals showed that the drug, which is called anti-LINGO-1, or BIIB033, may be able to reverse the demyelination of the nerves. Anti-LINGO-1 blocks LINGO-1, a central nervous system protein that prevents myelination. Current treatments for MS work to reduce new damage to the brain, but do not repair new or past damage. In MS, the bodys immune system begins to attack the myelin that acts as insulation around the nerves in the central nervous system. This makes it more difficult for the nerves to send messages to and from the brain and spinal cord. In the study, 72 healthy people without MS and 47 people with either relapsing-remitting MS or secondary progressive MS were given the drug or a … Continue reading →

Thailand: Judicial Harassment of Human Rights Defender We, the undersigned civil society groups, are gravely concerned about the criminal legal action taken for defamation and libel against the Cross Cultural Foundation, headed by Ms. Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, by the Armys Task Force 41. Ms. Pornpen, Director of the Cross Cultural Foundation an organization which monitors and documents cases of torture and ill-treatment in Thailand received a police warrant on Sunday 24th August 2014. The Thai Royal Police warrant is dated from 8th August. Major General Leekit Katchodnok, acting on behalf of the Armys Task Force 41, filed a legal suit against Ms. Pornpen for libel and defamation. The army accuses the Cross Cultural Foundation for damaging the reputation of the army by publishing an open letter exposing a claim to torture. According to the warrant Ms. Pornpen must present herself at the Yala Police Station, in southern Thailand, on August 25th. Ms. Pornpen is a leading Human Rights Defender in Thailand who has been involved in various Human Rights issues both in Thailand and the region, including womens rights, indigenous rights and preventing forced disappearances. Her work serves the public interest by ensuring that authorities are held accountable and pressuring authorities … Continue reading →

Health News of Thursday, 28 August 2014 Source: Graphic Online A Clinical Pharmacist, Ms Ellen Sam, has advised the public to not treat every bout of fever as malaria since the mismanagement of such illnesses could lead to drug resistance. According to her, drug resistance is one of the major barriers to kicking malaria out of Africa. Ms Sam was speaking at a forum for journalists organised at Dodowa by the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN). The network is made up of journalists who write on malaria. The forum, which was sponsored by MalariaCare, an initiative aimed at improving the management of malarial cases in seven regions of the country was on the theme: The Media as Partners in the T3 strategy. The Malaria T3 strategy is a call on clinicians to test, treat and track all cases of malaria presented to them, in line with the effort to scale up diagnostic testing, treatment and surveillance for malaria. Ms Sam advised against mono-therapy or the use of individual components of malaria treatment drugs, stressing that such treatment was not effective. Combination therapy prevents or slows down resistance, Ms Sam advised and cautioned that we must use current drugs … Continue reading →