Multiple sclerosis is thought to be caused by a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors, and new research suggests the picture is even more complex. Researchers have shown that how a gene mutation linked to MS is passed down through families is unusual, and the inheritance pattern differs between men and women. Women who… [Continue Reading]
Inheritance of Multiple Sclerosis Gene Mutation More Complex Than Previously Thought
January 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Scientists Discover Signals that Drive the Repair of Brain Degeneration
December 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A research study published this week has found a key protein required to regenerate myelin, a substance that insulates and protects neurons in the brain. The loss of myelin leads to damage and malfunction of nerve cells in the brain, and conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis. By tracking all of the genes expressed during myelin… [Continue Reading]
Study Offers an Avenue of Hope for Multiple Sclerosis Patients
October 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Scientists are closer to solving one of the many mysteries of multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases, thanks to a recent study conducted at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. The research revealed a previously unknown connection between two ion channels, which, when misaligned, can cause the many bizarre symptoms that characterize the condition. “Our… [Continue Reading]
Meditation Reduces Fatigue and Depression in Multiple Sclerosis
September 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
According to a study, learning mindfulness meditation may help people who have multiple sclerosis with the fatigue, depression and other life challenges that commonly accompany the disease. In the study, people who took an eight-week class in mindfulness meditation training reduced their fatigue and depression and improved overall quality of life compared to people with… [Continue Reading]
New Insight into How Immune System Causes Damage in Multiple Sclerosis
September 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Researchers have gained new insight into how the immune system causes damage associated with multiple sclerosis, an incurable neuroinflammatory disorder. Using imaging tools which enable investigation of processes in living organisms, they were able to show a direct interaction between immune cells and neurons which plays a significant role in neuronal injury. However, this direct… [Continue Reading]
Multiple Sclerosis Activity Can Increase During Spring and Summer
August 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment
“Our results showed that the appearance of lesions on brain scans was two to three times higher in the months of March to August, compared to other months of the year,” said study author Dominik Meier. For the study, researchers compared MRI brain scans of 44 people taken from 1991 to 1993 to weather data… [Continue Reading]
Severity of Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms May Be Increased by Gene Variant
August 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A new study shows a gene variant may increase the severity of multiple sclerosis symptoms. For the study, researchers screened the oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS1) gene in 401 people with multiple sclerosis, 394 people without multiple sclerosis and 178 people receiving the multiple sclerosis treatment beta interferon. On the analysis of the OAS1 gene, 63 percent… [Continue Reading]
Vascular Multiple Sclerosis Hypothesis and Treatment Questioned
August 2, 2010 By 1 Comment
Two important new studies challenge the controversial hypothesis that venous congestion-chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI)-contributes to the development of multiple sclerosis. This theory has resulted in many multiple sclerosis patients receiving experimental endovascular angioplasty, a treatment for multiple sclerosis unproven by clinical trials. For nearly 150 years it has been known that focal multiple sclerosis… [Continue Reading]
Study Suggests Brain Atrophy Causes Depression in Multiple Sclerosis
July 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Mental Activity Could Reduce Memory Problems in Multiple Sclerosis
June 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A new study shows that a mentally active lifestyle may protect against the memory and learning problems that often occur in multiple sclerosis. “Many people with multiple sclerosis struggle with learning and memory problems. This study shows that a mentally active lifestyle might reduce the harmful effects of brain damage on learning and memory. That… [Continue Reading]