And no, in case you were wondering, it does not mention the great Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) fiasco... ;)

"The year of 2004 saw rapid research progress in the fields of science and medicine that impact our understanding of the unpredictable neurological disease of multiple sclerosis. Thanks to its generous contributors, the National MS Society was able to invest nearly $35 million this year into MS research projects in the U.S. and abroad. In 2004, the Society supported over 300 MS research projects including the launch of 115 new projects..."

Click "read more" for the full story...

Full Article Text

Multiple Sclerosis - 2004 Summary of Research Progress

08 Dec 2004

The year of 2004 saw rapid research progress in the fields of science and medicine that impact our understanding of the unpredictable neurological disease of multiple sclerosis. Thanks to its generous contributors, the National MS Society was able to invest nearly $35 million this year into MS research projects in the U.S. and abroad. In 2004, the Society supported over 300 MS research projects including the launch of 115 new projects.

Significant advances have been made in both clinical and laboratory studies in MS. In addition, more than 160 clinical trials are underway around the world, and still other experimental drugs are in the pipeline. Key highlights of the year include:

The National MS Society launched a new initiative to speed research on nervous system repair and protection in MS. The Society has invited proposals from research teams to compete for grants of up to $5.5 million each to pave the way for clinical testing of therapies to restore function in people with MS.

The U.S. FDA approved Tysabri® (natalizumab, Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation) to reduce the frequency of clinical relapses in relapsing forms of MS. Tysabri (formerly Antegren) is a monoclonal antibody given by monthly infusion into a vein. Results from the first year of ongoing clinical trials showed that Tysabri reduced the relapse rate up to 66%, reduced the development of new MRI-detected lesions, and showed other benefits. This approach was first explored in laboratory animal research in part with funds provided by the National MS Society to Stanford investigators.

A Harvard-led study supported in part by the National MS Society, involving 187,563 women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study, suggested that those with higher intake of vitamin D (in multi-vitamin supplements) may have had a reduced risk of developing MS. The study did not determine whether vitamin D affects the course of MS once it has begun. Further research is necessary to clarify these findings.

A paper published from the Society-supported Sonya Slifka Longitudinal MS Study, following over 2,000 individuals with MS over a long period of time, reported on the first ever national study of aging and MS. Results pointed to challenges facing persons who are aging with MS. For example, older participants tended to be more severely disabled, more likely to need help with daily activities, and less likely to have used MS disease-modifying therapies. Despite their disability and care needs, many viewed their health status and quality of life positively. Over time, this study will allow investigators to tease out factors in individuals' lives that may influence disease course and quality of life.

Researchers from Australia, supported in part by the National MS Society, found evidence in brain samples suggesting that the primary pathology in some people with MS involves a killing-off of myelin-making cells with little or no evidence of immune attack. If confirmed, these findings raise intriguing questions about the MS disease process and how it begins, about how and when the immune attack becomes involved, and about the potential for different forms and different underlying brain damage categories for MS.

Results from a study of the oral immune-modulating drug laquinimod indicated that in 209 persons with relapsing forms of MS, the drug was well tolerated. Those on a higher dose had significantly fewer new active MS brain lesions during 24 weeks of testing. Larger studies, needed to explore the drug's potential in MS, are beginning now.

Four new Collaborative MS Research Centers were established by the National MS Society to speed the search for the cause and cure of MS by teaming up investigators from diverse fields focusing on promising avenues of research. Each is focusing on the exciting area of nerve tissue repair. These awards add $3.3 million to the Society's long-term research commitments.

An international team of investigators from Australia and the U.S., partially funded by the National MS Society, successfully reduced the severity and duration of MS-like disease in mice by vaccinating them with “Nogo,” a protein normally found in the brain that is known to inhibit nerve regeneration. They determined that the vaccinations caused the mice's immune systems to produce their own antibodies that neutralized Nogo's inhibitory activity in the nervous system.

Avanir Pharmaceuticals announced positive results from a Phase III clinical trial evaluating the oral drug NeurodexTM for treating the symptom of “pseudobulbar affect,” a condition involving uncontrollable laughing and/or crying affecting a small proportion of persons with MS and some other neurological disorders. The company announced intentions to apply to the FDA for approval to market the drug for pseudobulbar affect.

Acorda Therapeutics announced preliminary results of a phase II clinical trial of Fampridine-SR, an oral, sustained-release formula of 4-aminopyridine, to treat MS symptoms. According to the company, the drug showed a trend toward improved walking speed and significantly improved leg muscle strength. Fampridine-SR blocks tiny pores on the surface of nerve fibers, to improve nerve impulse conduction. The first studies of this ion channel-blocking approach in people with MS were supported by the National MS Society.

These and other leaps forward have made 2004 a momentous year in the fight against MS.

Original article can be found here:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=17508