The World's Largest Conference Focused on Multiple Sclerosis Opens This Week in Boston, Massachusetts with Over 8,000 …

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Newswise Boston, Massachusetts, September 9, 2014 On September 10-13 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA, ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS will host their joint triennial international meeting MSBoston 2014, with over 8,000 participant from leading organizations in Europe, North America and other regions of the world convening to share, discuss and advance research in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The meeting program will include topics as diverse as the underlying cause of MS, new emerging treatments and repair of the nervous system. MSBoston 2014 will provide journalists with an opportunity to hear about the latest advances in MS, speak with the leading experts, and interact with people living with MS who are also playing a major role in changing the perception of MS and enhancing understanding of this disease. ACTRIMS and ECTRIMS Steering Committee members will be available daily to media for overarching commentary on research in MS, new trends, latest study findings and new developments. Assistance will be available to reporters seeking to speak with specific presenters and experts on-site. The Scientific Program has a diverse program covering many different topics including platform presentations such as:

THURSDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER

Approaching the cause of multiple sclerosis, D. Hafler, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, david.hafler@yale.edu, Auditorium, 9:00 a.m. This plenary presentation will examine the impact that environmental stimuli interacting with genetic factors could have on the cause of this disease.

Functional brain network: linking thalamic atrophy to clinical disability in multiple sclerosis, P. Tewarie, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, p.tewarie@vumc.nl, Grand Ballroom, 10:30 a.m. The study findings are a step towards clarifying that thalamic atrophy in MS are related to widespread disruption of brain networks and how the interplay between these eventually could lead to clinical and cognitive problems.

Natalizumab-associated JC virus (JCV) granule cell neuronopathy (GCN) complicated by immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in a patient with MS, S. Agnihotri, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, shrutiagni@gmail.com, Auditorium, 2:00 p.m. Natalizumab has been associated with reactivation of JC virus leading to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in MS patients. This presentation will discuss natalizumab-associated JC virus (JCV) granule cell neuronopathy. It will also elucidate on how natalizumab withdrawal may be complicated by JCV GCN immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) and may require treatment with corticosteroids.

FRIDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER

Primary Results of DECIDE Trial: a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active controlled trial of daclizumab HYP (DAC HYP) vs Interferon -1a in Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS) patients, L. Kappos, lkappos@uhbs.ch, Auditorium, 8:15 a.m. The primary results of the DECIDE Trial is to test the hypothesis that DAC HYP 150 mg is superior to Interferon -1a in reducing MS activity in patients with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS). This presentation will provide an assessment of the efficacy of daclizumab high-yield process, a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody, and detail whether it is superior to Interferon -1a in reducing MS activity in patients with RRMS.

Generic glatiramer acetate is equivalent to copaxone on efficacy and safety: results of the randomized double-blind GATE trial in multiple sclerosis, J.A. Cohen, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, cohenj@ccf.org, Auditorium, 8:15 a.m. Findings from the GATE trial, which aims to show that generic glatiramer acetate (GTR) is equivalent to copaxone in efficacy and safety, will be presented. GTR is the first generic glatiramer acetate with an efficacy and safety profile that has demonstrated its equivalence to the currently marketed product.

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The World's Largest Conference Focused on Multiple Sclerosis Opens This Week in Boston, Massachusetts with Over 8,000 ...