Category: News from About MS .com
Posted by: stuart
Info provided By Julie Stachowiak, Ph.D., About.com
Updated: July 18, 2008
Fatigue Can Be a Side Effect of These Antihistamine Medications
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Fatigue and Multiple Sclerosis
Most of us with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) suffer from fatigue. In fact, an estimated 70% of people with MS say that fatigue is their most disabling symptom. While much of our fatigue comes from the disease process itself or MS-related heat intolerance, there are many secondary causes of fatigue in MS. One thing that may be contributing to your fatigue could actually be some of the medications that you are taking to slow your MS or deal with specific symptoms. If you suffer from MS-related fatigue, it is important to investigate all possible causes, including side effects from some of your medications.
Use of Antihistamines By People With Multiple Sclerosis
Histamines are chemicals released by the body’s inflammatory cells during an allergic reaction, which results in classic allergy symptoms such as itching, sneezing, runny nose, congestion and irritated eyes. Antihistamines block the actions of these histamines, thereby reducing the allergic response.
>> continue reading <<
=============================================Updated: July 18, 2008
Fatigue Can Be a Side Effect of These Antihistamine Medications
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fatigue and Multiple Sclerosis
Most of us with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) suffer from fatigue. In fact, an estimated 70% of people with MS say that fatigue is their most disabling symptom. While much of our fatigue comes from the disease process itself or MS-related heat intolerance, there are many secondary causes of fatigue in MS. One thing that may be contributing to your fatigue could actually be some of the medications that you are taking to slow your MS or deal with specific symptoms. If you suffer from MS-related fatigue, it is important to investigate all possible causes, including side effects from some of your medications.
Use of Antihistamines By People With Multiple Sclerosis
Histamines are chemicals released by the body’s inflammatory cells during an allergic reaction, which results in classic allergy symptoms such as itching, sneezing, runny nose, congestion and irritated eyes. Antihistamines block the actions of these histamines, thereby reducing the allergic response.
>> continue reading <<
July 22, '08: Biogen Idec and Elan Celebrate Second Anniversary of TYSABRI(R) for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Category: Tysabri Related
Posted by: stuart
Yahoo Finance Press Release
Source: Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation, plc
Tuesday July 22, 2:00 am ET
TYSABRI's Benefits Continue to Drive Product's Growth with More Than 31,800 Patients Receiving Treatment
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB - News) and Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN - News) today announced the two-year anniversary of TYSABRI® (natalizumab) as a treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), marking the reintroduction of the product in the United States (US) and the first international approval.
The companies estimate that as of the end of June 2008, more than 31,800 patients worldwide are receiving TYSABRI treatment.
Specifically, as of the end of June 2008:
*In the US, more than 17,800 patients are on TYSABRI commercially and more than 3,100 physicians have prescribed the therapy;
*Outside of the US, nearly 13,400 patients are on TYSABRI commercially;
In global clinical trials, more than 600 patients are on TYSABRI; and,
=============================================Source: Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation, plc
Biogen Idec and Elan Celebrate Second Anniversary of TYSABRI(R) for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Tuesday July 22, 2:00 am ET
TYSABRI's Benefits Continue to Drive Product's Growth with More Than 31,800 Patients Receiving Treatment
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB - News) and Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN - News) today announced the two-year anniversary of TYSABRI® (natalizumab) as a treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), marking the reintroduction of the product in the United States (US) and the first international approval.
The companies estimate that as of the end of June 2008, more than 31,800 patients worldwide are receiving TYSABRI treatment.
Specifically, as of the end of June 2008:
*In the US, more than 17,800 patients are on TYSABRI commercially and more than 3,100 physicians have prescribed the therapy;
*Outside of the US, nearly 13,400 patients are on TYSABRI commercially;
In global clinical trials, more than 600 patients are on TYSABRI; and,
July 22, '08: Opexa Conducts Additional Analysis on Phase I/II Extension Study with Tovaxin(R) for Multiple Sclerosis
Category: M.S. Research Study Reports
Posted by: stuart
Press Release Source: Opexa Therapeutics, Inc.
Yahoo Finance
Opexa Conducts Additional Analysis on Phase I/II Extension Study with Tovaxin(R) for Multiple Sclerosis -
Tuesday July 22, 8:00 am ET
THE WOODLANDS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Opexa Therapeutics, Inc., a company leading in the development of cell therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) and diabetes, has completed an internal assessment of data from its Phase I/II two year extension study with Tovaxin in patients with MS. While confirming the favorable safety and efficacy profile of Tovaxin, further analysis also confirms both the benefit of consecutive annual treatments with Tovaxin and the advantage of tailoring each vaccination to the patient’s changing disease profile.
=============================================Yahoo Finance
Opexa Conducts Additional Analysis on Phase I/II Extension Study with Tovaxin(R) for Multiple Sclerosis -
Tuesday July 22, 8:00 am ET
THE WOODLANDS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Opexa Therapeutics, Inc., a company leading in the development of cell therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) and diabetes, has completed an internal assessment of data from its Phase I/II two year extension study with Tovaxin in patients with MS. While confirming the favorable safety and efficacy profile of Tovaxin, further analysis also confirms both the benefit of consecutive annual treatments with Tovaxin and the advantage of tailoring each vaccination to the patient’s changing disease profile.
July 22, '08: HLA-DRB1(*)15 allele influences the later course of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.
Category: M.S. Research Study Reports
Posted by: stuart
Genes Immun. 2008 Jul 10. [Epub ahead of print]
HLA-DRB1(*)15 allele influences the later course of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.
Cournu-Rebeix I, Génin E, Leray E, Babron MC, Cohen J, Gout C, Alizadeh M, Perdry H, Semana G, Brassat D, Clerget-Darpoux F, Yaouanq J, Edan G, Rosenheim M, Fontaine B.
[1] 1INSERM, UMRS 546, Paris, France [2] 2Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, Paris, France [3] 3Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Fédération des Maladies du Système Nerveux, Paris, France.
Most of the published works so far have aimed at finding genes associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility. Very few studies have attempted to correlate disease features with DNA variants.
=============================================HLA-DRB1(*)15 allele influences the later course of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.
Cournu-Rebeix I, Génin E, Leray E, Babron MC, Cohen J, Gout C, Alizadeh M, Perdry H, Semana G, Brassat D, Clerget-Darpoux F, Yaouanq J, Edan G, Rosenheim M, Fontaine B.
[1] 1INSERM, UMRS 546, Paris, France [2] 2Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, Paris, France [3] 3Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Fédération des Maladies du Système Nerveux, Paris, France.
Most of the published works so far have aimed at finding genes associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility. Very few studies have attempted to correlate disease features with DNA variants.
July 22, '08: Brain responses to verbal stimuli among Multiple Sclerosis patients with pseudobulbar affect
Category: M.S. Research Study Reports
Posted by: stuart
J Neurol Sci. 2008 Aug 15;271(1-2):137-147. Epub 2008 May 27 (Pre-released)
Brain responses to verbal stimuli among multiple sclerosis patients with pseudobulbar affect.
Haiman G, Pratt H, Miller A.
Multiple Sclerosis & Brain Research Czenter, Department of Neurology, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel; Evoked Potentials Laboratory, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Israel; Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
PURPOSE: To characterize the brain activity and associated cortical structures involved in pseudobulbar affect (PBA), a condition characterized by uncontrollable episodes of emotional lability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
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Brain responses to verbal stimuli among multiple sclerosis patients with pseudobulbar affect.
Haiman G, Pratt H, Miller A.
Multiple Sclerosis & Brain Research Czenter, Department of Neurology, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel; Evoked Potentials Laboratory, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Israel; Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Research Institute, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
PURPOSE: To characterize the brain activity and associated cortical structures involved in pseudobulbar affect (PBA), a condition characterized by uncontrollable episodes of emotional lability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Category: Facts about M.S.
Posted by: stuart
J Neurol. 2008 Mar;255(3):406-12. Epub 2008 Feb 26
Neuroanatomy of pseudobulbar affect : a quantitative MRI study in multiple sclerosis.
Ghaffar O, Chamelian L, Feinstein A.
Neuropsychiatry Division, Dept. of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, FG08-2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is defined as episodes of involuntary crying, laughing, or both in the absence of a matching subjective mood state. This neuropsychiatric syndrome can be found in a number of neurological disorders including multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to identify neuroanatomical correlates of PBA in multiple sclerosis (MS) using a case-control 1.5T MRI study. MS patients with (n = 14) and without (n = 14) PBA were matched on demographic, disease course, and disability variables.
Comorbid psychiatric disorders including depressive and anxiety disorders were absent. Hypo- and hyperintense lesion volumes plus measurements of atrophy were obtained and localized anatomically according to parcellated brain regions.
=============================================Neuroanatomy of pseudobulbar affect : a quantitative MRI study in multiple sclerosis.
Ghaffar O, Chamelian L, Feinstein A.
Neuropsychiatry Division, Dept. of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, FG08-2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is defined as episodes of involuntary crying, laughing, or both in the absence of a matching subjective mood state. This neuropsychiatric syndrome can be found in a number of neurological disorders including multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to identify neuroanatomical correlates of PBA in multiple sclerosis (MS) using a case-control 1.5T MRI study. MS patients with (n = 14) and without (n = 14) PBA were matched on demographic, disease course, and disability variables.
Comorbid psychiatric disorders including depressive and anxiety disorders were absent. Hypo- and hyperintense lesion volumes plus measurements of atrophy were obtained and localized anatomically according to parcellated brain regions.
July 19, '08: Medicare Bill Becomes Law
As many of you know, on Tuesday, July 15 Congress voted to override President Bush's veto and consequently the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331) became law. The House continued its overwhelming support with a vote of 383-41 and the Senate followed with a vote of 70-26.
A main focus of the bill was to prevent the 10.6% pay cut to doctors - now replaced with a 0.5% update for the remainder of 2008 - but it also enacted several other key provisions important to people living with MS, such as: CLICK to read balance of article
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A main focus of the bill was to prevent the 10.6% pay cut to doctors - now replaced with a 0.5% update for the remainder of 2008 - but it also enacted several other key provisions important to people living with MS, such as: CLICK to read balance of article
Category: Nat'l MS Society Programs & Projects
Posted by: stuart
Source: The National MS Society
This video webcast, the second of a two-part series, is entitled Hold That Thought! Cognition and MS - Management Strategies.
This program explores what we know about the relationship between multiple sclerosis and cognitive challenges, with an emphasis on cognitive rehabilitation. Key topics include:
CLICK to learn more of this teleconference
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MS Views and Related News
website: www.msviewsandrelatednews.com
Keeping you updated and informed with MS Related News and Information
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This video webcast, the second of a two-part series, is entitled Hold That Thought! Cognition and MS - Management Strategies.
This program explores what we know about the relationship between multiple sclerosis and cognitive challenges, with an emphasis on cognitive rehabilitation. Key topics include:
CLICK to learn more of this teleconference
====================================================
MS Views and Related News
website: www.msviewsandrelatednews.com
Keeping you updated and informed with MS Related News and Information
====================================================
Category: M.S. Research Study Reports
Posted by: stuart
Teva enrolls patients for Phase III multiple sclerosis trial
Source: MSRC - UK
Second large global phase III trial of oral laquinimod for Multiple Sclerosis starts enrollment
Laquinimod is a novel once-daily, orally administered immunomodulatory compound developed as a disease modifying treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS).
July 16, 2008 - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Active Biotech AB announced today that patients are being enrolled for the BRAVO Phase III pivotal trial.
BRAVO is a global, 24-month, double-blind study designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of the oral compound laquinimod versus placebo, and to provide risk-benefit data for laquinimod versus a currently available injectable treatment, Avonex® .
=============================================Source: MSRC - UK
Second large global phase III trial of oral laquinimod for Multiple Sclerosis starts enrollment
Laquinimod is a novel once-daily, orally administered immunomodulatory compound developed as a disease modifying treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS).
July 16, 2008 - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Active Biotech AB announced today that patients are being enrolled for the BRAVO Phase III pivotal trial.
BRAVO is a global, 24-month, double-blind study designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of the oral compound laquinimod versus placebo, and to provide risk-benefit data for laquinimod versus a currently available injectable treatment, Avonex® .
July 16, '08: Constraint-Induced Movement therapy may benefit chronic upper extremity hemiparesis in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS)
Category: M.S. Research Study Reports
Posted by: stuart
Constraint-Induced Movement therapy can improve hemiparetic progressive multiple sclerosis.
Preliminary findings. PubMed - 2008 Jun 23.
Mark VW, Taub E, Bashir K, Uswatte G, Delgado A, Bowman MH, Bryson CC, McKay S, Cutter GR.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
Objective To evaluate whether Constraint-Induced Movement therapy (CI therapy) may benefit chronic upper extremity hemiparesis in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).
Methods Five patients with progressive MS, who had chronic upper extremity hemiparesis and evidence for learned non-use of the paretic limb in the life situation, underwent 30 hours of repetitive task training and shaping for the paretic limb over 2-10 consecutive weeks, along with physical restraint of the less-affected arm and a "transfer package" of behavioral techniques to reinforce treatment adherence.
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Preliminary findings. PubMed - 2008 Jun 23.
Mark VW, Taub E, Bashir K, Uswatte G, Delgado A, Bowman MH, Bryson CC, McKay S, Cutter GR.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
Objective To evaluate whether Constraint-Induced Movement therapy (CI therapy) may benefit chronic upper extremity hemiparesis in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).
Methods Five patients with progressive MS, who had chronic upper extremity hemiparesis and evidence for learned non-use of the paretic limb in the life situation, underwent 30 hours of repetitive task training and shaping for the paretic limb over 2-10 consecutive weeks, along with physical restraint of the less-affected arm and a "transfer package" of behavioral techniques to reinforce treatment adherence.
