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This week the MS International Federation reported that scientists in the US and Japan have succeeded in reprogramming human skin cells to become pluripotent stem cells (capable of becoming any one of 220 types of cell in the human body).
This pluripotency was something only previously witnessed in embryonic stem cells, and researchers hope this will provide an unlimited supply of stem cells for use in research into new treatments for many diseases, including MS. Read the whole story on the BBC Website.
Recent news reports that German scientists in Bonn, Germany, may have discovered a method for the early diagnosis of MS. This would allow for treatment to begin earlier than through conventional diagnostic methods. Medical evidence now points to early treatment as crucial in delaying the more debilitating phases of this non-curable disease.
The German researchers used magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) for their diagnostic quest. This allowed them to detect biochemical changes in the metabolites of the brain. One of the substances that can change is N-Acetyl-Aspartat (tNAA). Healthy neurons contain a great amount of tNAA, but damaged neurons show a significant loss of it. The concentration can be measured through magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).
he scientists concluded a greatly reduced level of tNAA-concentration might be a good indicator that a patient is at high risk of developing further MS symptoms within a short time frame after the first symptoms occurred.
Read more at: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/453461/earlier_multiple_sclerosis_ms_diagnosis.html
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a growing area of interest in the treatment of MS, for healthcare professionals and people with MS, but separating the fact from the fiction is no easy task. A new webcast from the UK MS Trust might help.
During a recent visit to the UK, the MS Trust filmed an interview Dr Allen Bowling, Director of the Complementary and Alternative Program at the Rocky Mountain MS Center, Colorado, USA. Dr Bowling has published numerous papers and books on complementary therapies and is noted for taking a non judgemental, evidence based approach to an area that can excite bold claims both for and against non-conventional treatments. He is a regular columnist in MS Voice.
The UK MS Trust say they were delighted to have the opportunity to draw on the knowledge and expertise of Dr Bowling in seeking answers to some of the most challenging questions CAM provokes.
“In answering some of these questions, a range of issues relating to complementary treatments and dietary approaches to MS were explored alongside some of the factors that motivate people with MS to seek out non conventional treatments.”
» Watch the interview with Dr Bowling*
» Download the transcript (PDF)
* This unfortunately took ages to download, but reading the transcript gave invaluable information and advice from Dr Bowling about the use of CAM.
The UK MS Society website features a report on new research in to bladder problems in MS. “[They] are a common and disabling symptom of MS where both storage and emptying processes can be disrupted. Incontinence is common and being unable to ‘hold on’ (known as urgency) is understandably considered by many people with MS to be one of the most troubling symptoms they face”
“In the recent research, carried out at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, 43 people with MS who had severe incontinence problems were treated with botulinum neurotoxin type A (Botox) bladder muscle injections. The action of the injection on the bladder is complex but its overall effect is to reduce involuntary contractions and so reduce frequency of urination and urgency.
Dr Laura Bell, Research Communications Officer for the UK MS Society, said: “Living with symptoms such as bladder problems can be extremely distressing and restrictive, but this type of treatment can make a tangible and substantial improvement to people’s lives and we hope it will become part of standard care for people with MS who need it.”
The typical duration of the effect of the treatment was 10 months and similar results were seen with repeat treatments.
This treatment is not yet licensed in the UK [or New Zealand] and is consequently not yet widely available for people with MS.
MSSNZ has recently updated and released its booklet on continence issues and MS: “ Multiple Sclerosis and Your Bladder & Bowel”. This is available to read online, download or printed version at http://www.msnz.org.nz/resources/info-booklets/bladder-bowel/.
Also, the NZ Continence Association has a comprehensive website and helpline. You can visit their website at: http://www.continence.org.nz/. For the Bladder and Bowel Helpline call 0800 650 659 or email info@continence.org.nz.