Copyright 2008 Medical News Today Latest Multiple Sclerosis News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/multiple_sclerosis/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/113960.php Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ: Teva) and Antisense Therapeutics Ltd. (ASX: ANP) announced that ATL/TV1102, a novel, anti-sense drug, significantly reduced disease activity in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase IIa study met its primary endpoint showing a significant reduction by 54.4% (p=0. Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/113894.php There are approximately 400,000 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States today with 200 new patients diagnosed every week. "No one knows what causes MS," said Phyllis Greenberger, M.S.W, president and CEO of the Society for Women's Health Research, a Washington, D.C. based advocacy organization. "We do know that it is at least 2-3 times more common in women than in men. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/113805.php Research conducted at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) has contributed significantly to a major licensing agreement signed between Australian biotechnology company, Bionomics, (ASX:BNO) and Germany- based pharmaceutical company, Merck Serono. Under the Development and Licensing Agreement, Merck Serono will seek to develop new treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune conditions. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/113603.php Animal studies by University of Michigan scientists suggest that people who experience the same clinical signs of multiple sclerosis (MS) may have different forms of the disease that require different kinds of treatment. The results, if borne out in further studies, point to a time when doctors will be able to target specific inflammatory processes in the body and more effectively help MS patients, using available drugs and new ones in the pipeline. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/113371.php On Monday 30 June, the final report of Lord Darzi's review of the NHS will be published and will talk of an NHS that "empowers patients" through care that is "high quality and personal". Lord Darzi will announce the piloting of personalised budgets in healthcare, following successes in social care. Fri, 27 Jun 2008 06:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/113087.php A second top Para Dressage rider has been chosen for the fourth time to join team GB at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing. Anne Dunham will join training mate Simon Laurens - who featured in this month's MS Matters - on the trip in September and is hoping for an individual as well as team gold medal. Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/112714.php The Minister for Equality, Disability and Mental Health, John Moloney T.D., officially launched Multiple Sclerosis Ireland's National Activity, Exercise and Physiotherapy Research Programme - Getting the Balance Right. "I welcome this innovative project which will see people with MS of various abilities participate in an array of exercise and physio classes and sessions over the course of two years. Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/112640.php A study at the University of South Florida has shown that transplants of mononuclear human umbilical cord blood (MNChUCB) cells may help patients suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. A disease in which the motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain degenerate, ALS leaves its victims with progressive muscle weakness, paralysis and, finally, respiratory failure three to five years after diagnosis. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/112484.php The exclusive use of a home on the South Course of Oakland Hills Country Club during this 90th PGA Championship means a lot to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Michigan Chapter. This year, as part of their fundraising programs, the charity is offering a PGA hospitality experience with limited grounds passes and fully catered, air conditioned pampering for those who join them. Mon, 23 Jun 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/112394.php The British Equestrian Federation has announced that Simon Laurens, one of the UK's top Para Dressage riders, has been chosen to represent Great Britain at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing. Simon, who has multiple sclerosis (MS), was one of 17 eligible to represent Great Britain at the event and follows an exceptional year in which Simon achieved selection qualification by completing four competitions with a mark of more than 70%. Mon, 23 Jun 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/112392.php Research published by the MS Society has revealed that one in three GPs is unsure how to spot the signs of multiple sclerosis (MS). The report undertaken by Brand Health International questioned GPs across Britain and highlights a lack of confidence in identifying potential MS patients by their symptoms. The research reinforces concerns the charity has over the disparate experiences of those who have symptoms but struggle to get a diagnosis. Mon, 23 Jun 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/112375.php "A new oral drug for multiple sclerosis has produced promising results in clinical trials," BBC News reported. It said the new drug, laquinimod, improved the condition of patients with the relapse-remitting form of multiple sclerosis (MS) with few side-effects. Scans showed that patients taking a high dose of the drug had 40% less damage than those taking a placebo. The BBC explained that an oral drug could be a significant advance as existing MS drugs all need to be injected. Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/111996.php The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada announced the winners of its annual John Alexander Media Awards, recognizing excellence in print and broadcast journalism. The awards were established to honour the late John Alexander's contribution to increasing public awareness of MS in Canada. The goal of the awards is to encourage excellence in writing and broadcasting about multiple sclerosis. Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/111792.php BaroFold Inc. announced that it has initiated a two-stage Phase 1, repeat dosing, single-center, double-blinded study in up to sixty healthy volunteers to determine the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of escalating doses of BaroFeron™ (IFNβ-1b). In published preclinical studies BaroFeron demonstrated enhanced pharmacological properties, both pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, when compared to commercial interferon beta products. Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/111688.php Peptimmune, Inc. a privately held biotechnology company, announced that physicians have treated the first participant in a clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of PI-2301 in subjects with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SP-MS). PI-2301 is a novel peptide copolymer for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/111569.php The MS Society is funding specialist MS physiotherapist posts to meet a need demonstrated by people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), and to combat NHS cuts. In an interview on the BBC Radio 4 You and Yours programme, MS Society chief executive, Simon Gillespie, said that the charity was increasingly having to fund physiotherapy posts at a cost of £40,000 each due to a shortage. Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/111260.php Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OPXA), a cell therapy development and commercialization company, announced favorable safety and efficacy data for Tovaxin®, the Company's investigational T-cell vaccination therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS), in the second year of open-label clinical retreatment studies in patients with MS. Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/111158.php What became a scientific quest for Dr. Hugo Bellen and his colleagues at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston began with trying to define the function of a protein that plays a role in the nervous system. Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/110805.php The Government has announced a new National Strategy for Carers, which promises to double the amount spent on respite care over two years. Chris Evans of the MS Society, who has responsibility for the charity's four respite centres, said that any new investment in respite care was always welcome but also urged caution. Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/110709.php A short-term, very-high dose regimen of the immune-suppressing drug cyclophosphamide seems to slow progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) in most of a small group of patients studied and may even restore neurological function lost to the disease, Johns Hopkins researchers report. The findings in nine people, most of whom had failed all other treatments, suggest new ways to treat a disease that tends to progress relentlessly. Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/110654.php Ore Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ORXED) announced that DioGenix, its molecular diagnostics subsidiary, has identified novel sets of genes that it believes will form the basis of a new assay to diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease of the central nervous system (CNS). DioGenix plans to refine these gene sets and further confirm their disease association before it begins to develop an effective commercial assay for diagnosing patients presenting with early symptoms of MS. Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/110656.php An article posted early online from the Archive of Neurology reports on a promising new treatment for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Researchers have found that high doses of the drug cyclophosphamide, an immunosuppressant, have reduced MS activity and disability in people with an aggressive form of the disease. Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/110437.php Drug manufacturer Novartis has reported that two people with MS taking the oral drug fingolimod (FTY720) in clinical trials experienced problems with infections, leading to a fatality in one case. The firm said the role of the medicine in the cases was unclear and that the trial will continue. Independent experts recommended that clinical trials with the drug should continue as planned. Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/110265.php In the first hearing of its kind, to be heard on Wednesday 11th June at the Royal Courts of Justice, an MS (Multiple Sclerosis) sufferer is challenging the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to clarify the UK law on assisting the suicide of another person, in a country where it is lawful. Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/110051.php A US drug company will seek marketing approval early next year for a drug which could improve mobility and quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Acorda Therapeutics reported positive results following a second