Research in the field of Neurology based on Multiple Sclerosis

When it comes to Multiple Sclerosis, current and future research is important to those diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis as well as the families and caretakers of those with Multiple Sclerosis. We promise to always try to bring the latest in research news, clinical trials and other research information and resources to you via our website and our research MS research section. For most people who live and suffer with multiple sclerosis, it is a ray of hope that their lives could possibly be better one day. Please feel free to contact us by Clicking Here to send us any research or piece of valid research information that you think should be posted in this section.

Many advances, on several fronts, have been made in the war against MS. Each advance interacts with the others, adding greater depth and meaning to each new discovery. Four areas, in particular, stand out.

Over the last decade, our knowledge about how the immune system works has grown at an amazing rate. Major gains have been made in recognizing and defining the role of this system in the development of MS lesions, giving scientists the ability to devise ways to alter the immune response. Such work is expected to yield a variety of new potential therapies that may ameliorate MS without harmful side effects.

New tools such as MRI have redefined the natural history of MS and are proving invaluable in monitoring disease activity. Scientists are now able to visualize and follow the development of MS lesions in the brain and spinal cord using MRI; this ability is a tremendous aid in the assessment of new therapies and can speed the process of evaluating new treatments.

Other tools have been developed that make the painstaking work of teasing out the disease's genetic secrets possible. Such studies have strengthened scientists' conviction that MS is a disease with many genetic components, none of which is dominant. Immune system-related genetic factors that predispose an individual to the development of MS have been identified, and may lead to new ways to treat or prevent the disease.

In fact, a treatment that may actually slow the course of the disease has been found and a growing number of therapies are now available that effectively treat some MS symptoms. In addition, there are a number of treatments under investigation that may curtail attacks or improve function of demyelinated nerve fibers. Over a dozen clinical trials testing potential therapies are under way, and additional new treatments are being devised and tested in animal models.

The role of genetic risk factors, and how they can be modified, must be more clearly defined. Environmental triggers, such as viruses or toxins, need to be investigated further. The specific cellular and subcellular targets of immune attack in the brain and spinal cord, and the subsets of T cells involved in that attack, need to be identified. Knowledge of these aspects of the disease will enable scientists to develop new methods for halting-or reversing and repairing-the destruction of myelin that causes the symptoms of MS.

Acorda released positive results from a phase III trial of Fampridine-SR for the treatment of walking in subjects with multiple sclerosis. This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 301 subjects in the US and Canada who had a definite diagnosis of MS and some degree of walking disability. Subjects were randomized receive Fampridine-SR (n=229) or placebo (n=72), for 14 weeks. Treatment was well tolerated with falls and urinary tract infections the most commonly reported adverse events. Efficacy data revealed that the trial met the primary endpoint of improvement in walking speed, as measured by the Timed 25-Foot Walk, with 34.8% of the Fampridine-SR group showing improvement versus 8.3% of the placebo group (p less than 0.001). This improvement was maintained throughout the length of the treatment. In addition, after 14 weeks the average increase in walking speed compared to baseline was 25.2% for the treated group versus 4.7% for the placebo group. Based on this data Acorda plans to move Fampridine-SR into further development.

CytRx issued positive results from a phase IIa trial of arimoclomol for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 84 subjects with ALS, who received arimoclomol, or placebo, in one of three dose levels (25 mg, 50 mg or 100 mg) three times daily for 12 weeks. They were then studied for an additional four weeks without treatment. Treatment was shown to be safe and well tolerated across all dose ranges, with no statistically significant adverse events reported. Pharmacokinetic data indicated that arimoclomol effectively entered the cerebral spinal fluid. The amount of the drug in the cerebral spinal fluid was similar to the amount in the blood and increased as the dose increased. Based on these results a phase IIb efficacy trial, using arimoclomol at the highest dose level, is planned for H1 2007.

FDA Drug Approvals
This is a comprehensive listing of drugs that have recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The drugs are organized by therapeutic area.

CenterWatch Research Headlines
Here you'll find links to news articles and reports on recent advances in clinical research. This section is updated weekly and the information has been published in CenterWatch publications during the past weeks. There may not always be material related to neurology indications.

New Medical Therapies (NMT) Trial Results
NMT Weekly Trial Results database is designed to provide easy access to information about the results of recently completed and ongoing clinical trials and is based on published materials from medical conferences and journals and from company reports. The clinical trial result summaries typically include the name and phase of the new therapy, the company sponsoring the research, a description of the trial design, and information on how well the drug has performed.

Center Watch - They have one of the most extensive Clinical trial databases that they keep current and up to date. MS Research centers are organized by state and location and there is even a way to sign up and get email news on the latest clinical trials available for possible MS treatments.