Why Memory Fades with Age
Interesting work that might help explain some memory issues in MS, even though it isn't MS research.
Previous research has shown that bundles of axons wither over time. These conduits, collectively referred to as white matter, help connect different regions of the brain to allow for proper information processing.
Now, researchers have found that white matter naturally degrades as we agecausing disrupted communication between brain regions and memory deficits.
Man stopped for speeding in wheelchair
The subject says it all. Now that's a ticket I'd be proud to get.
Another ECTRIMS summary
This one is on Medscape (free registration required). You'll find an interview with Dr. Mark Freedman, overviews of some of the topics presented (new treatment results, quality of life issues, use of MRI and other diagnostic tools, etc.), and a compilation of specific treatment-related news stories that came out of the conference.
Accelerated Cure Project Intro and Appeal Video
Alan Weinberg, a volunteer with a video production company, pulled together this excellent video for the Accelerated Cure Project to use as an introduction and an appeal. So if you'd like to introduce a friend to our organization, forward them the link.
Skin Patch for "Smart" Drug Delivery
We're always looking for new ways to deliver drugs, other than injection. Hewlett-Packard and Crospon have develepoed a new technology in a patch that can effectively do micro-injections to deliver drugs. They don't mention MS specifically, but it would be great if they could replace daily injections with a patch like this. Pictures here.
How does a stem cell become a treatment?
Stem cells hold much promise for being able to treat degenerative diseases like MS. We post about advances in stem cell research on MSNews all the time. But we also caution that treatments may be quite a ways away. This article covers some of the issues involved in going from stem cells to treatments.
Blood drainage from brain impaired in MS
Abnormal blood flow into brain tissue (perfusion) has been previously documented in MS — both higher and lower blood flow into different tissue types have been reported. A new study now shows that blood drainage away from brain tissue is also abnormal in MS (see abstract or
full-text). This study used ultrasound to analyze blood flow through the deep middle cerebral veins and the transverse sinus in 89 people with MS and 60 normal controls. The technique assessed whether blood flowed out only, or both out and in, and how long any inward flow lasted. Only 20% of controls had any inward flow (this was through the transverse sinus only) compared with 65-81% of MS subjects. Furthermore, only 7% of the controls had "reflux" (inward flow lasting > 0.5 second) vs. 38-51% of the MS group.
Blood flow that is turbulent vs. smooth and single-direction can cause an inflammatory reaction in the blood vessel by upregulating adhesion molecules that facilitate the migration of T cells and other cells into the tissue. The authors suggest therefore that the source of this impaired blood flow be examined — does it start in the brain or is there also reduced blood flow downstream? If reduced flow is found only in the brain, it may be an effect of MS inflammation and neurodegeneration. However, if a reduction in blood flow downstream is in turn causing reflux in the brain, this downstream "back-up" may be a trigger for brain inflammation. The authors also suggest performing this study in subjects with other neurological disease to see whether or not these results are specific to MS.
Drug Companies and the Docs Who Speak for Them
This article is a bit long, and about depression rather than MS, but the topic is very relevant.
Here's an insider's view of what speaking as an MD for a pharma company is like and why it might unduly influence the doctor. This happens for most drugs, including the MS drugs, and it is probably worth reading it so you know what you are up against when you go to see these presentations.
