MS research roundup July 2012

Another research roundup, and so soon! But there's just been so much interesting research to tell you about.

We already know that someone's risk of getting MS is linked to where they were brought up: very roughly, the further away from the equator, the higher the risk. Another known risk factor is having antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV): people with MS are far more likely to have EBV antibodies in their blood than people without.

British researchers investigated the distribution of EBV infection, and found it was the same as for MS: infection was more common further away from the equator. We still have a lot to learn about what causes MS, but this could be a piece in the puzzle.

I've often written before about Vitamin D. Its importance is showing up over and over again in any number of different conditions, including MS. Now an Australian study is under way, to see whether taking Vitamin D can prevent MS. The trial will test 3 dosage levels of Vitamin D against placebo in people who've had a first attack of MS-like symptoms, and will run till 2016. It'll be interesting to see the results.

All of us with MS are different: each of us has different symptoms and a different disease course. We can look at averages, though. American researchers studied over 1000 people with MS. They found that RRMS does not inevitably develop into SPMS, and the onset of progression is more dependent on age than on how long the person has had MS.

As neurons are damaged by MS, cell metabolism is disrupted and there is a buildup of sodium. British and French researchers found that sodium buildup measured by MRI could indicate the degree of MS progression. In those with more advanced disease, sodium buildup in the motor cortex is correlated with greater levels of disability.

This is early-stage research, but could become really useful in monitoring disease progression. With advanced disease, sodium was raised even in apparently normal white matter. 

A group of researchers in Germany have discovered an antibody found in the blood of about half of people with MS that is not found in people without the condition. The antibody's implications aren't fully understood as yet, but in rodents it binds to and damages brain cells known to be important for neurological function.

In time this may lead to a blood test for MS and/or a treatment preventing the antibody from binding to brain cells.

Researchers in America have used monoclonal antibodies to stimulate myelin repair in mice with a condition similar to MS. Similar work had been done before, but using far larger molecules than in this research.

They found the molecules were effective, and quick and cheap to synthesise. They were also stable and unlikely to cause an immune response. Much more work needs to be done, but this could in time be a suitable candidate for human trials.

The nerve damage in MS is caused by T-cells, part of the immune system. American researchers are about to start clinical trials using an extract of sea anemone venom, which they've found is a highly selective suppressant of T-cell activity. They hope it should prevent further damage to the nerves.

It's already known that fingolimod (Gilenya / Novartis) reduces relapse rates and disease progression. Swiss researchers have now shown that it's also associated with a reduction in the number of lesions, and slowing of the rate of brain volume loss. Not everyone is able to have fingolimod, but for those who can, this is just another benefit of another hugely useful treatment.

Modafinil (Provigil) is approved to treat excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy and some similar conditions. It is also used for fatigue and sleepiness in MS. In a small trial, people taking modafinil had no significant change in disability level over 3 years, while those not on modafinil did have significant changes.

A much larger study is needed, and particularly comparisons made between taking modafinil with different disease modifiers. This is a really interesting result though,with a lot of potential.

Taiwanese researchers carried out a meta-analysis of studies on the effect of cranberry juice on UTIs. The results confirmed that cranberries do protect against UTIs. The effect was particularly strong in women with recurrent UTIs. There were,however, concerns about the amount of sugar in cranberry juice.

Finally, some excellent news: Canadian researchers have found that people with MS are less likely to get cancer than the general population, particularly bowel cancer. The risk level varied for different types of cancer.

Further studies are needed to find out why people with MS have these different levels of cancer: it may be because both MS and cancer involve the immune system. Still, good news is good news!