Paroxysmal Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis: They Come and They Go

Denise I. Campagnolo MD, MS––Interim Multiple Sclerosis Program Director, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona

MS Attack
A multiple sclerosis (MS) attack, also called a relapse or exacerbation, is the sudden onset of new neurological symptoms or the reoccurrence of previous resolved symptoms. Further, true attacks typically last at minimum 24 hours, usually days to weeks, and generally are agreed to have to occur at least 30 days from a previous attack, so that they are separated in time. Read the rest of this entry »

Non-Drug Study, Open For Enrollment: Couples Living With Multiple Sclerosis

Couples Living with Multiple Sclerosis

Location: East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to understand the experiences of couples in which one member has multiple sclerosis (MS). Read the rest of this entry »

Clinical Trial, Open for Enrollment: Investigational ORAL Medication for Subjects With Relapsing Forms of MS

Location: Multiple locations throughout the US

Purpose: The purpose of this research study is to find out whether a drug named CDP323 will reduce inflammation in the brain of patients with MS. The best way to do so is to take frequent pictures of the inflamed brain tissue and to decide whether the inflammation can be reduced by CDP323. The pictures are taken with a MRI scanner (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). Read the rest of this entry »

Clinical Trial, Open for Enrollment: Stem Cell Therapy for Patients With MS Failing Interferon––A Randomized Study

MS is at onset an immune-mediated demyelinating disease. In most cases, it starts as a relapsing-remitting disease with distinct attacks and no symptoms between flares. Over years or decades, virtually all cases transition into a progressive disease in which insidious and slow neurologic deterioration occurs with or without acute flares. Relapsing-remitting disease is often responsive to immune suppressive modulating therapies, while immune based therapies are generally ineffective in patients with a progressive clinical course. Read the rest of this entry »

MS Relapses: A Multivariable Analysis of Residual Disability Determinants

Recovery from MS relapses is variable. The factors influencing persistence of residual disability (RD) after a relapse are still to be thoroughly elucidated. This study out of the University of Turin in Italy, sought to assess RD after MS relapses and to define the factors associated with persistence of RD. The full article can be found in Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. Read the rest of this entry »

MR in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of MS: An Overview

This article, published in the European Journal of Radiology, identifies MS as a chronic, persistent inflammatory-demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that typically presents as an acute clinically isolated syndrome attributable to a monofocal or multifocal demyelinating lesion, which usually affects the optic nerve, spinal cord, or brainstem and cerebellum. Read the rest of this entry »

Health Benefits of Yoga

Shelley Sidelman, Yoga Therapist––R.Y.T. 500, Syosset, New York

Introduction

What do you think of when you hear the word yoga? Unfortunately, even in 2009, the image of “pretzel postures” still comes to mind for many people. Erase that thought, because yoga is actually a soft and gentle therapy that can be therapeutic for everyone. Read the rest of this entry »

Diagnostic Criteria for MS

Roberto Bomprezzi, MD––Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona

Difficulties in Diagnosing MS
How can a physician know if a patient has multiple sclerosis (MS)? The kind of damage MS does to the nervous system is well known. MS is a progressive disease characterized by lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) in which myelin, the fatty material that insulates nerve fibers, is destroyed. Over time, most people with MS become increasingly disabled because of this damage. Despite this knowledge, however, no single test exists that can definitely identify MS, and making an accurate diagnosis early in the course of the disease can be quite difficult. Read the rest of this entry »

Functional Electrical Stimulation and Multiple Sclerosis: Seperating Fact from Fiction

Brian Hutchinson, PT, MSCS-CEO, The Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis

Introduction
The use of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) has increased recently with devices utilized to assist people experiencing foot drop. There has been an increase in the public’s awareness of these devices and their use in people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). FES, as an ambulatory aid, has been used for many years by rehabilitation professionals. These devices provide an exciting opportunity, but their use needs to be approached in a thoughtful way through discussions with your treatment team about pros and cons.

What is FES?
FES is a method of applying low-level electrical currents to the body to restore or improve function (Cleveland FES Center, 2008). A common example of an FES system Read the rest of this entry »

United for Independence in Orlando

Disability consumers and professionals unite in Orlando, Florida, to promote independence and highlight cutting-edge research in the field of spinal cord injuries and disorders.

By Tom Scott

United Spinal Association’s 2nd Annual Independence Expo–the premier event to help improve the quality of life for Americans living with spinal cord-related disabilities—returned to the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in sunny Orlando, Florida on August 9-10, 2008. Attendees, including individuals with disabilities, caregivers, and therapists, had an opportunity to explore over 100 vendor exhibits featuring life-enhancing products and services, and participate in 12 informative workshops covering a variety of disability-related topics. Read the rest of this entry »

Hispanic/Latino NARCOMS Participants

Eileen Abarca, BS––NARCOMS Bilingual Research Coordinator, Barrow Neurological Institute, Arizona; Patricia Davis, MS––NARCOMS Database Coordinator, Barrow Neurological Institute, Arizona; Tuula Tyry, PhD, MAEd––Program and Editorial Manager, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona

Introduction
North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) program, a project of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC), is a long-term research project designed to facilitate research in the broad field of multiple sclerosis (MS).

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Pregnancy, Delivery, and Birth Outcome in Different Stages of Maternal MS

To investigate the influence of maternal MS on pregnancy, this study compared pregnancy, delivery, and birth outcome in births prior to onset of MS (pre MS), between MS onset and diagnosis (early MS), and after diagnosis of MS (manifest MS). Read the rest of this entry »

Relationship between Combat Related Posttraumtic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and MS

The interrelation between chronic stress and MS has always been known, but the biological foundation for this phenomenon has not yet been proven. A case-study of five patients, both diagnosed with MS and PTSD, attempts to demonstrate various dimensions of interrelation between these two diseases. Read the rest of this entry »

Experiences of Diagnosis and Treatment Among People With MS

The aim of this qualitative study performed by the Applied Research Centre in Health and Lifestyle Interventions in Coventry, UK, was to examine patients’ experiences of being diagnosed with MS, the information that they were given at this time, subsequent treatment, and its impact on their lives. Read the rest of this entry »

Access to and Utilization of Neurolgists By People With MS

Access To and Utilization of Neurologists by People With MS This study examined access to and use of
neurologists among a broad, national sample of people with MS; identified demographic, economic, and clinical factors associated with access and use; and examined differences in treatment and management of MS. Read the rest of this entry »

NARCOMS Report 27.2

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Monoclonal Antibodies: A New Way to Treat MS

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Exercise and Gait Retraining in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Posted in All Articles, Exercise | 1 Comment »