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Multiple Sclerosis information and Patient Videos
Written by Stuart Schlossman
Sunday, 07 March 2010 09:58
Information about Multiple Sclerosis (MS), FAQ's and Patient Videos can be found when scrolling down on this page and when using our resource menu.
Be empowered with MS knowledge when using this 'MS Views and News' website, the Stu's Views & M.S. News blog and our library of MS archives.
It is now 3 days after "Liberation Day". Sunday afternoon 12:30 pm. February 28th, 2010.
Three days ago, Dr. Mohsin Saeed at Scripps Clinic opened my left jugular vein with angioplasty and my right jugular vein with angioplasty followed by a stent. The procedure is called by its inventor, Dr. Paolo Zamboni, The Liberation Procedure. It is a revolutionary treatment for an old, disabling disease -- Multiple Sclerosis. Until about 3 months ago, the only theory I knew about MS was that it was an autoimmune disease which attacked and destroyed myelin, the external coating around nerves. For unknown reasons, nerve conduction was slowed while plaques formed in the brain. It was always unclear why or when attacks would happen but they did and were difficult to control. Modern medicine responded with anti-inflammatory drugs and immune suppressants following the line of reasoning that if the disease was caused by an immune response, then stopping the immune response would stop the disease.
I was always leery of this approach because as a doc, I felt I needed my immune system to stay well in the face of my patients who carried diseases. In fact, I was quite proud of my ability to stay well in the face of wintertime time viruses, etc. So even though my life and body had deteriorated significantly over my ten or so years with MS, I kept my head buried in the sand in terms of using the pharmaceutical technologies available to me and my peers with this affliction.
Italian Researchers Discover A Possible Onset Mechanism For Multiple Sclerosis
A non-pathogenic bacterium is capable of triggering an autoimmune disease similar to multiple sclerosis in the mouse, the model animal which helps to explain how human diseases work. This is what a group of researchers from the Catholic University of Rome, led by Francesco Ria (Institute of General Pathology) and Giovanni Delogu (Institute of Microbiology), have explained for the first time in a recently published article on the Journal of Immunology.
Multiple sclerosis is caused by an inflammatory reaction provoked by the immune system, leading to disruption of the coating of the nerve fibres in the Central Nervous System.
“We do not know what causes multiple sclerosis”, explains Francesco Ria, immunologist of the Catholic University. “We know that there exists a genetic factor and an environmental factor, but we do not yet possess a satisfactory theory which can explain how exactly this environmental factor works”.
Currently, there are two competing theories in the field: according to a first hypothesis, a virus hides within the brain and what causes the disease is the immunologic antiviral reaction. On the other hand, the second hypothesis states that a viral or bacterial pathogen similar to specific molecules of the Central Nervous System causes an inflammation which provokes a reaction of the immune system. This reaction ends up destroying the brain cells. The latter is called the autoimmune hypothesis.
AMPYRA (Fampridine SR) IS FIRST SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT DRUG DEVELOPED SPECIFICALLY TO TREAT MS, THE FIRST ORAL MS THERAPY APPROVED FOR MS, AND THE FIRST NEW FDA APPROVED THERAPY TO COME THROUGH THE MS PIPELINE SINCE 2004
New York, NY…..The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the marketing of Ampyra™ (dalfampridine, formerly known as fampridine SR, from Acorda Therapeutics) for its ability to improve walking speed in people with any type of multiple sclerosis.
Ampyra is the first therapy specifically approved to treat a symptom of MS, and as an oral drug it represents a big step forward for many people who may benefit from its use. Ampyra is also the first new FDA approved therapy for MS since 2004. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=2586
“The FDA’s approval of Ampyra is wonderful news for many people with MS who experience problems with walking,” said John R. Richert, MD, Executive Vice President for Research & Clinical Programs at the National MS Society. “This brings a welcome symptomatic therapy that may restore some function and make a real difference in quality of life for a large number of people with different types of MS.”
Further study and clinical practice may help determine the extent to which the drug may impact other functions not measured in the clinical trials, and provide hints as to which individuals are most likely to respond.
Ampyra, formerly known as fampridine SR, is a tablet containing a sustained-release formula of 4-aminopyridine, which blocks tiny pores, or potassium channels, on the surface of nerve fibers. This blocking ability may improve the conduction of nerve signals in nerve fibers whose insulating myelin coating has been damaged by MS. The first studies of this potassium-blocking approach in people with MS were supported by the National MS Society.
A recent survey among more than 1,000 individuals with MS and many of their family members examined the impact of difficulty walking on quality of life among patients with MS and their families. Some two-thirds of patients reported difficulty walking and of these, 70% reported that such difficulty was the most challenging part of their MS, and most reported that difficulty walking restricts their daily activities significantly, including their ability to travel.(Read more about survey resultshttp://www.nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=199)
Most Frequently asked Questions:
Q. What is Ampyra? (pronounced ahmPEERah)
A. Ampyra, formerly known as fampridine SR, is a tablet containing a sustained-release formula of 4-aminopyridine, which blocks tiny pores, or potassium channels, on the surface of nerve fibers. This blocking ability may improve the conduction of nerve signals in nerve fibers whose insulating myelin coating has been damaged by MS. The first studies of this potassium-blocking approach in people with MS were supported by the National MS Society
Read Many other Important Questions, by clicking HEREto be re-directed to the MS Society webpage
Last Updated on Sunday, 07 March 2010 10:18
About Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Written by Stuart Schlossman
Saturday, 23 January 2010 10:06
''MS Views and News" believes that knowledge is Power, which is why we strive to provide education materials about MS that affect the patient, caregiver and others with interest in MS
MS affects each person differently so understanding the basics about MS is just the first step in learning how to live your life well with your MS.
Whether you have a confirmed diagnosis of MS or are still waiting to find out what your diagnosis might be, you can read about the challenges and opportunities related to each of the different courses and stages of MS:
New studies show promise for using a person's own stem cells to protect them from autoimmune disorders like diabetes and multiple sclerosis
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What if researchers could reboot a misfiring immune system? That is the intriguing possibility raised by stem cell transplant specialist Richard Burt. He is pioneering a new treatment for autoimmune disorders, one in which patients’ immune systems are suppressed and then replaced with an infusion of their own immune stem cells, filtered out from their blood. These then grow into all types of blood cells, including the white blood cells of the immune system.
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In autoimmune disorders, the immune system goes haywire and attacks the body’s own tissues. In the case of type 1 diabetes, it destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, and in multiple sclerosis it strikes the central nervous system.
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Resources for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Written by Stuart Schlossman
Wednesday, 11 March 2009 19:58
The following official websites of various MSorganizations provide information, education, and support to individuals with,or affected by Multiple Sclerosis (those affected include the patient, caregiver, family, friends, colleagues, health care providers and other persons with interest). Topics include MS research, disease treatments, symptom management, MS center locations, additional resources, and social/community support.
At the request of a friend, The
Wheelchair Kamikaze embarks on a quest to find a statue dedicated to Audrey
Hepburn, located on the east side of Manhattan. The trip takes us through
Central Park an...
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 July 2009 08:37
MS Views and News Web Resources
Written by Stuart Schlossman
Wednesday, 06 May 2009 10:29
Using our website's links to useful resourcescan be found by clicking this link, or by using the link found in our resources section found midway down on the left side of this homepage.
Important topics as Alternative therapies can be found. Complimentary alternatives including herbs and vitamins, Yoga, Tai Chi, assistive devices and more can be found when clicking on the Alternatives link.
Other much needed resource link categories will re-direct you to globally known MS organizations, Pharmaceutical resources, Symptom Management and much more.
Weekly, this main directory link: "MS Resource Web Links" is updated, in order to continually provide you with information that will help you to better understand and manage Multiple Sclerosis. Additionally, read the articles from our Occupational Therapist and the MS Nurse.
Inform others who are affected by MS, to let them know what is available to them when using the MS Views and News website.
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