Monoclonal Antibodies: A New Way to Treat MS

New class of therapy used to combat multiple sclerosis (MS)- Monoclonal antibodies (MABs)…. »

Exercise and Gait Retraining in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

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Optic Neuritis in Multiple Sclerosis

Jane W. Chan, MD–Associate Professor of Neurology Ophthalmology, Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky

Risk Factors for Developing Optic Neuritis in Autoimmune Disease
Although optic neuritis most often affects young adults, atypical cases of optic neuritis are sometimes seen in elderly patients. Bilateral optic neuritis in childhood is not uncommon, and… »

Neuromyelitis Optica

Dean M. Wingerchuk, MD, MSc, FRCP(C)
A Historical Perspective on NMO
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), also known as Devic’s disease, was identified more than one hundred years ago as a severe disorder affecting the spinal cord (causing paralysis) and both optic nerves (causing blindness). Until recently, it was considered a rare and unusual form of multiple sclerosis (MS)… »

Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis Relapses

Denise I. Campagnolo, MD, MS, Director Clinical Multiple Sclerosis Research, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona; Timothy L.Vollmer, MD, VanDenburgh Fellow, Director BNI Neuroimmunology Program, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
Key Words:
Antigens Any substance that provokes an immune response. Ideally, the antigen is a foreign substance, like a protein made by a bacterium. Sometimes T cells inappropriately… »

Living With Multiple Sclerosis Disease Progression

Elizabeth Auld, PA–Spinal Cord Program, MSCS,VA Connecticut Healthcare System,West Haven, Connecticut
Introduction
Research into what is happening to the central nervous system in multiple sclerosis (MS) gives hope that the disease can be slowed and eventually cured or prevented. Realistically, persons with MS understand that until there is a cure, they will have to accept and make… »

Neuro-immunologic Perspectives of MS

Amit Bar-Or, MD, FRCPC-Heuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
Introduction
There are two major body systems whose interactions are responsible for multiple sclerosis (MS). One is the central nervous system (CNS), whose cells are damaged or destroyed by the disease. The other is the immune system, whose cells are thought to perpetrate the damage. Information… »

Understanding and Managing the Bladder Problems that Accompany MS

Denise I. Campagnolo, MD, MS-Director of Clinical Multiple Sclerosis Research, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
Introduction
If you have been living with multiple sclerosis (MS) for ten years or more, there is a greater than 90% chance that you have trouble with urination (Crayton, Neyman, & Rossman, 2004). In fact, even if you were newly diagnosed, you… »

Nerve Fibers are Severed by Inflammation in MS Lesions, Leading to Permanent Disabilities

Bruce Trapp, PhD–Cleveland Clinic, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio
Background
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, disabling neurodegenerative disease. It strikes most often during early adulthood, and it affects about twice as many women as men. Many aspects of MS, including its cause, are not well understood. It is unknown whether MS represents a single disease, or… »

Cognitive Issues in Multiple Scelorsis

Jiong Shi, MD, PhD–Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona; Seema Khurana, DO–University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
Introduction
Multiple sclerosis (MS) was first described by a French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot (1815-1893) who identified the typical symptoms of MS. In France, MS continues to be called Charcot’s disease in… »

Managing the Bowel Problems that Accompany MS

Denise I. Campagnolo MD, MS–Director Clinical Multiple Sclerosis Research, Barrow Neurological Institute,
Phoenix, Arizona.
Introduction
Multiple sclerosis (MS) changes the way your body works and potentially affects how you care for yourself and carry on daily life. One important change has to do with bowel function. This change is often difficult for many of us to talk about… »

Diagnosis and Treatment of Tremors

By Holly Shill, MD–Director, Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center–Movement Disorder Section, Barrow Neurological Institute
Introduction
Tremor is an involuntary, rhythmic, shaking movement of a part or parts of the body (usually hands, lower arms or head). It is produced by alternating contractions of muscles that would normally work against each other (See Figure 1). Although tremor is more… »

Multiple Sclerosis and Coexisting Health Conditions

By Ruth Ann Marrie, MD, MS–Mellen Center for MS Treatment and Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation–CMSC/NARCOMS Research Fellow
Introduction
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease affecting more than 300,000 Americans (Anderson et al., 1992). Having one chronic disease or health problem does not mean that patients with MS cannot have other health problems, such as diabetes or… »

An Update on MS Risk Factors

Mitchell T.Wallin, MD, MPH–Associate Director, Clinical Care,VA MS Center of Excellence–East, Associate Professor of Neurology, Georgetown University; John F. Kurtzke, MD–Professor Emeritus of Neurology, Georgetown University, Distinguished Professor of Neurology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Consultant in Neurology and Neuroepidemiology,VAMC–Washington, DC
Introduction
Despite decades of research, the cause for multiple sclerosis (MS) remains unknown. Evidence… »

Combination Intravenous Therapies in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Amie Pena, NP–Barrow Neurology Clinics, Phoenix, Arizona
Introduction
As patients and caregivers we are all aware that multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex, chronic disease. Just a few decades ago, the outlook for patients with MS was poor and there were no treatments to help reduce disease progression. Many patients were told, “You have MS and there… »

Disaster Preparedness for People With Disabilities

Tom Scott, Editor, United Spinal Association
Introduction
U.S. Census data from 2004 show that 49.7 million (19%) Americans in the US, age 5 and over, have a disability. That’s approximately 1 in 5 US residents. A majority of these individuals have difficulty in performing basic physical activities, such as walking and climbing stairs and are dependent on… »

Imaging MS: A Window Into the Disease

Robert J. Fox, MD, Medical Director, Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Assistant Professor, Cleveland Clinic Lerner School of Medicine at CWRU Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio
Introduction
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has provided a new window into the injury caused by multiple sclerosis (MS) and the effects of MS therapies. MRI can be performed in a variety… »

Considerations in Planning Pregnancies

A.D. Sadovnick–Department of Medical Genetics and Faculty of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; E. Dwosh–Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; C.H. Guimond–Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Background
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological disorders, other than trauma, affecting young… »

Strategies for Fatigue Management and Energy

Sandra Schmidt Leach, BSN, MA––Arizona;Trent Maruyama, OTR/L––St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona;
Denise I. Campagnolo, MD, MS––Barrow Neurological Clinic, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona
Introduction
Fatigue is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). As many of you know, it is often very difficult to deal with this symptom. Although many drug therapies… »

A Reasonable Approach to Diet and Dietary Supplements for People With Multiple Sclerosis

Allen Bowling, MD, PhD Rocky Mountain MS Center, Denver, Colorado; Thomas Stewart, JD, MS, PA-C Rocky Mountain MS Center, Denver, Colorado
Introduction
Although reliable general nutritional information sources, such as the well-known Food Pyramid, are relatively easy to find, it is not as easy to find reliable information regarding MS-specific strategies. Some sources, including some written by… »