Gilenya is an oral treatment from Novartis that’s approved for relapsing forms of MS in people ages 10 and older. It works by retaining immune cells in lymph nodes (immune-related structures) and preventing them from reaching the brain and spinal cord, where they could cause damage to the protective myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers.
By reducing the number of immune cells in circulation, Gilenya may reduce the immune system’s ability to fight off infectious pathogens. Yet, whether Gilenya treatment is associated with a greater risk of infections compared with other MS treatments remains controversial.
To shed light on this, researchers in China reviewed data from published clinical trials that assessed Gilenya, against a placebo or other disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), in MS patients.
team is providing in-depth coverage of the 2021 Virtual AAN Annual Meeting, April 17–22. Go here to read the latest stories from the conference.
There is a lack of diversity among neurologists, who are disproportionately white men, but new programs aimed at inclusivity may help neurologists to better reflect the communities they serve.
Racial, ethnic, and gender disparities among neurologists, and strategies to address them, were discussed in several talks at this year’s virtual American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, which began April 17 and ends today.
Diversity among neurologists and other doctors is important for delivering optimal healthcare. Research has shown that increasing minority representation among healthcare providers can lead to better outcomes for minority patients, through factors like increased cultural competency (the ability to understand and interact with people of a particular cultural background), which is critical for bridging disparities in hea
Depression and fatigue are common in people with MS. While fatigue results from MS-related chronic inflammation and neuronal damage, depression is caused by psychological and social factors that may not be directly related to multiple sclerosis.
Both depression and fatigue may be managed through mindfulness-based interventions, which are designed to boost mental well-being by purposefully staying present in the moment and acknowledging one’s feelings in an honest but nonjudgmental way. Trait mindfulness is defined as a permanent state of paying attention to the present moment in all aspects of life.
Hypothesizing that depression mediates the association between mindfulness and fatigue, a team of German researchers now explored the relationship between trait mindfulness, depression, and fatigue in MS patients.
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Editor’s note: The Multiple Sclerosis News Today team is providing in-depth coverage of the 2021 Virtual AAN Annual Meeting, April 17–22. Go here to read the latest stories from the conference.
Treatment with Tysabri (natalizumab) can improve mental and social health in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to new data presented at the 2021 virtual American Academy of Neurology annual meeting (AANAM).
Data presented at AANAM also indicate that less frequent dosing of Tysabri can reduce the risk of rare brain infections, while still lowering MS disease activity.
Tysabri, by Biogen, is an approved treatment for relapsing forms of MS, and works by blocking inflammatory immune cells from getting into the brain. In clinical trials, Tysabri has been demonstrated to lower the rate of MS relapses and to ease symptoms. Treatment with Tysabri also has been associated wi
team is providing in-depth coverage of the 2021 Virtual AAN Annual Meeting, April 17–22. Go here to read the latest stories from the conference.
When the weather is unusually warm, people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are more likely to require emergency medical care, new research shows.
The findings indicate that people with health conditions like MS may be at increased risk of health problems as temperatures rise due to climate change, according to Holly Elser, PhD, an epidemiologist and medical student at Stanford University.
The idea for this study, according to Elser, originated with a MS patient during a routine medical appointment: “[the patient] mentioned off-handedly, ‘you know, my MS gets really bad when it’s hot outside, ” said Elser.