Possible advancement in MS treatment

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. -

There are encouraging signs in multiple sclerosis research coming from a preliminary trial occurring at Fletcher Allen and UVM and 17 other centers around the world. Researchers are witnessing temporary reversals in the symptoms of some patients to a degree that has not been seen before.

When you see Jay Blum walk down the hall, you would never know he is an avid golfer, plays bass in a rock band and sometime bikes 30 miles. There is something else you wouldn't know looking at this 57-year-old from Shelburne until you hear him talk to his doctor; Blum is one of about 1,800 MS patients who is treated at Fletcher Allen.

"I can tell you that one in 500 Vermonters has MS. We have one of the highest prevalence and incidence in the United States," said Dr. Angela Applebee, director of the MS Center at Fletcher Allen.

Applebee says they don't know why so many people in Vermont have MS, but they have a few ideas.

She says a lack of vitamin D may be one of the causes, since we are further away from the equator.

Genetics play a role. The general populations risk of getting MS is 1 percent, but if you have immediate family members with MS, your risk goes up to 3 percent.

She says being exposed to certain viruses can also increase your risk.

"What's happening with MS is that you're having inflammation of the coating of the nerves and theres two goals I have now. One is to stop the inflammation and the second is to repair what's already happened in regards to the inflammation as far as the damage," said Applebee.

"My feet kind of went numb," said Blum.

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Possible advancement in MS treatment