Multiple Sclerosis News

New MRI Test May Predict Severity of MS By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, July 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- People with multiple sclerosis (MS) often live with uncertainty because it's hard to predict how quickly the disease will progress and how disabling it might become.But researchers hope a new MRI test that tracks iron levels in the brain will help answer those questions. The test -- called quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) -- looks at different areas of the brain and how much iron is deposited in each. In some brain areas, a higher iron level is linked

Among those with a genetic predisposition and organic solvent exposure, MS risk rose sevenfold. About 60 percent of all the MS cases seen fell into this category.

The new guidelines, issued by the academy, took into account studies on MS drugs and concluded that it's best to start use of MS drugs as early as possible.

The treatment involves using cancer drugs to decimate a patient's immune system and then restarting it with a stem cell transplant, BBC News reported.

The current study included more than 1,100 people from Southern California. Their average age was 36. Half had been diagnosed with early MS or with clinically isolated syndrome.

Those who take Tysabri (natalizumab) to manage their MS are more likely to suffer a relapse during pregnancy if they stop taking the drug before they conceive, the first study found.

The new regimen -- called Balance and Eye-Movement Exercises for Persons with Multiple Sclerosis (BEEMS) -- had individuals perform balance and eye-movement exercises.

The study also found that a healthy lifestyle was linked to less depression, fatigue and pain for people with MS.

These regimens raised the risk for disease relapse, study found

Latest study shows blacks and Hispanics also vulnerable

Benefits reported for women who nursed 15 months or more

Study might explain why some multiple sclerosis patients stop understanding what others are feeling

First step was to test its safety in small trial of 6 people

The FDA has approved a new medication that is the first to treat PPMS, a rare form of multiple sclerosis.

Review found younger patients fared better over 5 years, though some deaths reported

Specialist hopes ocrelizumab will be available by spring

Study results suggest latitude affects timing of disease onset

But significant side effects remain an issue for Lemtrada, researcher says

Study shows no benefit, but staying active can help ease disease symptoms, experts say

Industry-funded study also found therapy doubled time until a relapse occurred

Study found link between severity of sleep apnea and performance on attention, memory tests

Toxic side effects of heavy chemo could limit use, researcher says

Vision improvement with clemastine fumarate appears modest but results are promising, researcher says

High blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and depression among common co-existing conditions

But researchers only found a connection, not cause-and-effect link