Category Archives: MS Treatment

Public release date: 21-Jul-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Tara Womersley tara.womersley@ed.ac.uk 44-131-650-9836 University of Edinburgh Multiple sclerosis treatments that repair damage to the brain could be developed thanks to new research. A study has shed light on how cells are able to regenerate protective sheaths around nerve fibres in the brain. These sheaths, made up of a substance called myelin, are critical for the quick transmission of nerve signals, enabling vision, sensation and movement, but break down in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study, by the Universities of Edinburgh and Cambridge, found that immune cells, known as macrophages, help trigger the regeneration of myelin. Researchers found that following loss of or damage to myelin, macrophages can release a compound called activin-A, which activates production of more myelin. Dr Veronique Miron, of the Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, said: "In multiple sclerosis patients, the protective layer surrounding nerve fibres is stripped away and the nerves are exposed and damaged. "Approved therapies for multiple sclerosis work by reducing the initial myelin injury they do not promote myelin regeneration. This study could help find new drug targets to enhance myelin regeneration and … Continue reading →

Treatment of foetal abnormality insensitive Monday, July 22, 2013 By Shaun Connolly, Political Correspondent A Fine Gael minister has hit out at the insensitive way women with pregnancies involving fatal foetal abnormalities are treated. Tnaiste Eamon Gilmore has made it clear the party will push for a national poll to change the Constitution in order to allow terminations in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities, rape and incest. Ms Fitzgerald would not be drawn on whether Fine Gael would make such a move, insisting the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill was as far as the Coalition would go in this parliament. A number of TDs pressed for fatal foetal cases to be included in the legislation, but Health Minister James Reilly insisted the matter did not fall within the bounds of the X-case ruling. The Childrens Minister indicated that the matter would need to be dealt with in the future. Of course there are issues like fatal foetal abnormalities that I think that women in this country are being dealt with very insensitively at this moment in time, she told RT. Ms Fitzgerald made it clear there would be no further legislation on abortion in the current Dil term after … Continue reading →

21 July 2013 Last updated at 12:59 ET New treatments that could help slow the progression of multiple sclerosis could be a step closer due to research by Edinburgh University. In MS patients the protective layer around nerve cells in the brain, known as myelin, is broken down. Scientists have discovered that immune cells, known as macrophages, help trigger the regeneration of myelin. The researchers hope their work could eventually lead to the development of new drugs. The sheath around nerves cells, made of myelin, is destroyed in MS, leaving the nerves struggling to pass on messages. This leads to problems with mobility, balance and vision. There is no cure but current treatments concentrate on limiting the damage to myelin. Now the team at Edinburgh University has found that the immune cells, known as macrophages, can release a compound called activin-A, which activates production of more myelin. Dr Veronique Miron, from the Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the university, said: "In multiple sclerosis patients, the protective layer surrounding nerve fibres is stripped away and the nerves are exposed and damaged. We look forward to seeing this research develop further Read the rest here: Research looks at MS … Continue reading →

Being the first Cameroonian to receive this honor, Ms. Anyola Tufon who is the Regional Coordinator for the Justice and Peace Commission in the Northwest region, participated in a ten-day program in the United States as a 2013 TIP Hero. Ms. Anyola Tufon has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to fighting child trafficking and forced labor. Her organization has established community-based protection mechanisms to identify trafficking victims, prevent them from being re-trafficked, and other vulnerable people from leaving their communities. Through the mechanisms, Ms. Anyola and her organization have provided assistance to hundreds of victims, including shelter, legal assistance, school fees, placing them in foster families, as well as helping recover the money traffickers promised in order to lure their victims. Many of the returnees have resumed formal education and are being used as peer educators. Each year, the U.S. Department of State honors individuals around the world who have devoted their lives to the fight against human trafficking. Referred to as trafficking heroes, these individuals are NGO workers, lawmakers, police officers, and concerned citizens who are committed to ending modern slavery. In the recent past, the ill-treatment of persons, exploitation and abuses plaguing domestic labourers (Janitors, Gatekeepers, Cooks, Baby sitters … Continue reading →

Researchers from Edinburgh University and University College London (UCL) will test whether medicines for the conditions could benefit certain people with MS. Scotland has the highest prevalence of MS in the world, with around 10,500 people affected. It causes loss of mobility, muscle spasms, slurred speech and fatigue. It is hoped the drugs will work on those who have secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, which is characterised by increasing disability, by protecting the nerves from damage. The scientists believe the trial could revolutionise the way patients with MS are treated and, because the drugs are already licensed and known to be safe, it could shave years off the time usually needed before new treatments can be rolled out. Dr Jeremy Chataway, consultant neurologist and lead researcher on the trial based at UCL, said: "While there are an increasing number of treatments for MS that can reduce the frequency or severity of MS relapses, there's nothing that can stop the rapid accumulation of disability in people with secondary progressive MS. "It's a huge unmet need in the treatment of the condition and, despite many clinical trials, scientists have so far failed to find anything that works." Dr Susan Kohlhaas, head of biomedical … Continue reading →

17 July 2013 Last updated at 02:44 ET By Helen Briggs BBC News Existing drugs for motor neurone disease, asthma and heart disease are being tested as possible treatments for advanced multiple sclerosis (MS). About 500 people with late-stage MS are to enrol in clinical trials in England and Scotland to see if three common drugs can slow disease progression. Research suggests the medicines may protect the brain from further damage. There is currently no treatment for secondary progressive MS, a form of the disease marked by increased disability. About 100,000 people are living with MS in the UK. Symptoms include problems with walking, balance, speech, vision and extreme fatigue. Treatments are available to help with relapses and symptoms of MS during the early stages of the disease. However, despite clinical trials, scientists have so far failed to find a medicine that works in the late stages of MS. Now, after reviewing published data on drug treatments that might help protect nerves in the brain, UK researchers are focusing on three drugs that are licensed for other conditions. The three drugs are amiloride - currently licensed to treat heart disease and high blood pressure; ibudilast - an asthma drug used … Continue reading →

Rachel Winders may need to raise $30,000 every year for the rest of her life if she wants to stay well, but her cousin across the ditch is able to get the life-changing drug she needs free. Doctors initially thought Winders had suffered a stroke when she was left unable to speak or feel her left side in 2001. Then aged 27, she was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) and spent a year at Dunedin's Wakari Hospital learning to walk and talk properly again. Winders, now 40, said she had been in remission for about two years and was not taking any medication for her condition. "That's a really scary place to be." When relapsing, she was plagued by numb feelings from the waist down and her eyesight would become so blurry she could not see, leaving her unable to work. She had reacted badly to the medications funded by government drug-buying agency Pharmac and was left with only one option, a drug called Tysabri. However, it was not subsidised and would cost her $30,000 a year, she said. She was frustrated by the disparity in treatment options between Australia and New Zealand. A cousin in Perth, who also … Continue reading →

Hattiesburg, MS (PRWEB) July 16, 2013 Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services announced today that Dr. Patrick Carnes who originated the trade mark name Gentle Path will be leaving the Pine Grove system. Pine Groves sexual addiction treatment program has been operating under the Gentle Path name for 10 years. The noticeable impact on the program will be the departure of the trademark name and Dr. Carnes from Pine Grove. Pine Groves Chief Officer, Debbie Sanford, ensures Pine Groves position in their overall commitment to behavioral health care, including the treatment of sexual addiction issues. Our program for sexual addictions, trauma and other intimacy disorder treatment will continue with little change. We have begun strategic planning for a branding program, including a name change, with our focus, as always, centered on ensuring high-quality, cost-effective care for our patients, said Sanford. She also remarked, Our longstanding and established reputation of highly trained clinical staff, our current facility and location, and the overall reputation of Pine Grove will remain unchanged. Pine Grove and Dr. Carnes opened Gentle Path in Hattiesburg ten years ago, developing a sexual addiction program establishing Pine Grove as a leader in specialized treatment for sexual and intimacy … Continue reading →

A mother who killed her two-year-old son by standing on his mouth and chest believed she was expelling an evil spirit, a court has been told. Rachael Hadley was acutely psychotic at the time and didn't understand the consequences of her actions, counsel assisting Amy Cacas told the South Australian Coroners Court on Monday. 'She didn't know she was killing her son,' Ms Cacas said. 'She believed she was expelling an evil spirit from him and expected him to recover.' Duke Hadley died on November 5, 2009 from asphyxiation caused by compression of his neck and chest. His mother was charged with his murder but found mentally incompetent. She has since been released on licence. Ms Cacas said the issue for the inquest would be whether or not anything more could have been done in relation to Ms Hadley's treatment to have prevented the boy's death. The boy's father, Jason Hura, told the court that Ms Hadley had twice been admitted to a mental health clinic for treatment. But he said she would stop taking her medication because it made her sleep all day. In the period before the boy's death she had been 'getting paranoid' and was constantly locking … Continue reading →

A mother who killed her two-year-old son by standing on his mouth and chest believed she was expelling an evil spirit, a court has been told. Rachael Hadley was acutely psychotic at the time and didn't understand the consequences of her actions, counsel assisting Amy Cacas told the South Australian Coroners Court on Monday. 'She didn't know she was killing her son,' Ms Cacas said. 'She believed she was expelling an evil spirit from him and expected him to recover.' Duke Hadley died on November 5, 2009 from asphyxiation caused by compression of his neck and chest. His mother was charged with his murder but found mentally incompetent. She has since been released on licence. Ms Cacas said the issue for the inquest would be whether or not anything more could have been done in relation to Ms Hadley's treatment to have prevented the boy's death. The boy's father, Jason Hura, told the court that Ms Hadley had twice been admitted to a mental health clinic for treatment. But he said she would stop taking her medication because it made her sleep all day. In the period before the boy's death she had been 'getting paranoid' and was constantly locking … Continue reading →