Current Treatments
BETASERON® (interferon beta-1b) is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations. Patients with multiple sclerosis in whom efficacy has been demonstrated include patients who have experienced a first clinical episode and have MRI features consistent with multiple sclerosis

AVONEX® (Interferon beta-1a) is a 166 amino acid glycoprotein with a predicted molecular weight of approximately 22,500 daltons. It is produced by recombinant DNA technology using genetically engineered Chinese Hamster Ovary cells into which the human interferon beta gene has been introduced. The amino acid sequence of AVONEX® is identical to that of natural human interferon beta.

COPAXONE is the brand name for glatiramer acetate (formerly known as copolymer-1). Glatiramer acetate, the active ingredient of COPAXONE, consists of the acetate salts of synthetic polypeptides, containing four naturally occurring amino acids: L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-tyrosine, and L-lysine with an average molar fraction of 0.141, 0.427, 0.095, and 0.338, respectively. The average molecular weight of glatiramer acetate is 5,000 – 9,000 daltons. Glatiramer acetate is identified by specific antibodies.

Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) is a purified 166 amino acid glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 22,500 daltons. It is produced by recombinant DNA technology using genetically engineered Chinese Hamster Ovary cells into which the human interferon beta gene has been introduced. The amino acid sequence of Rebif® is identical to that of natural fibroblast derived human interferon beta. Natural interferon beta and interferon beta-1a (Rebif®) are glycosylated with each containing a single N-linked complex carbohydrate moiety.

Tysabri is a monoclonal antibody that affects the actions of the body's immune system. Monoclonal antibodies are made to target and destroy only certain cells in the body. This may help to protect healthy cells from damage. Tysabri is used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. 		Gilenya™ is a new class of medication called a phingosine 1-phosphate receptormodulator, which is thought to act by retaining certain white blood cells (lympohcytes) in the lymph nodes, thereby preventing those cells from crossing the blood-brain barrier into the central nervous system (CNS). Preventing the entry of these cells into the CNS reduces inflammatory damage to nerve cells.

Early Symptoms
The most common early symptoms of MS include:
* Tingling * Numbness
* Loss of balance
* Weakness in one or more limbs
* Blurred or double vision

Less common symptoms of MS may include
* Slurred speech
* Sudden onset of paralysis
* Lack of coordination
* Cognitive difficulties
Listed above, the early symptoms. I tend to be a poster child for these. The symptoms that occur later on are too numerous just to list. There will be a link included that will get you to a site where these symptoms are listed and explained. Keep in mind that someone may have some of these or many of these, there is no way to tell.
Multiple sclerosis statistics show that approximately 250,000 to 350,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with this disease. The life expectancy for people with multiple sclerosis is nearly the same as for those without MS. Because of this, multiple sclerosis statistics place the annual cost of MS in the United States in the billions of dollars. MS is five times more prevalent in temperate climates -- such as those found in the northern United States, Canada, and Europe -- than in tropical regions. Furthermore, the age of 15 seems to be significant in terms of risk for developing the disease. Some studies indicate that a person moving from a high-risk (temperate) to a low-risk (tropical) area before the age of 15 tends to adopt the risk (in this case, low) of the new area and vice versa. Other studies suggest that people moving after age 15 maintain the risk of the area where they grew up.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Help Secure an Additional $15 Million for MS Research

Over the past two years, MS activists have helped secure nearly $10 million for MS research through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). The CDMRP is a Department of Defense (DoD) program that is funded annually via the Defense Appropriations Act. Just a couple of years ago, there was no MS program in the CDMRP. As a direct result of your activism not only does MS now have a specific research program but people living with MS also sit on the award panels to help determine how this research money is being spent.


Let's take the next step together and help secure more funding for MS research under the CDMRP. Ask your members of Congress to support a $15 million appropriation under the CDMRP that will help scientists to better understand the causes of MS and help find a cure. The large number of grant proposals recently submitted to the DoD for MS projects indicate that there is a clear need for more funding for MS research.

Take Action Now!

* Click on "Take Action!" and enter your ZIP code to follow up with a quick e-mail to your Senators and Representative.

Now is the perfect time to voice your support as MS activists prepare to meet with legislators on Capitol Hill during the National MS Society's Public Policy Conference, scheduled March 1-3, 2010.National MS Society





Walk MS
Walk MS

Walk MS is happening throughout towns in Massachusetts, Vermont & New Hampshire during April and May 2010. We unite as a community during Walk MS to create a world free of multiple sclerosis. Register today for 2010 Walk MS!

Walk MS is a simple, but incredibly powerful way for you to share in the hope for the future. Walk MS is our rallying point, a time and a place for us to stand together and to be together to help raise critical funds that support cutting edge research, drive change through advocacy, facilitate professional education and provide programs and services to help people with MS move their lives forward.

The primary goal of Walk MS is to raise funds to help people who have MS, and their families. Each walker 12 years of age and older is required to raise a minimum of $25.

Join the Walk MS movement and register today.








MS Challenge Walk
MS Challenge Walk

Once in a while, a challenge calls that you simply must answer. The MS Challenge Walk is the perfect way to embrace a personal challenge of spirit and strength, while making an important difference in the lives of people living with MS. We walk together during the two-day, 50-kilometer Challenge Walk across beautiful Cape Cod to make a powerful statement, to keep us moving toward a cure. Accept the challenge. It will be the most rewarding journey you’ll ever make.

Learn more and register today. Register before April 1, 2010 and receive an early registration discount of $25 (for a special $50 registration fee). Use the online discount code: earlybird.

Your participation provides help for today and hope for tomorrow through education, support, advocacy, and research funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Central New England Chapter. And that makes a huge difference to the 16,000 people and their families in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont (and 400,000 nationwide) who must live with MS every day.

Join as an individual, join a team, or create a team - and join the movement to create a world free of multiple sclerosis.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Central New England Chapter
101A First Avenue, Suite 6
Waltham, MA 02451-1115
tel: 1 800-344-4867
fax: 1 781-890-2089
msnewengland.org
Posted by Steve at Tuesday, February 23, 2010

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About Me

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North Grafton, Massachusetts, United States
Well-educated, disabled at this point with Multiple Sclerosis. I am very glad that I was able to do the things that I have been able to do over the years. had to change the picture, this one's more realistic.