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.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Federal Focus - May 2011

Contact Your Members of Congress to Maintain Important Funding for MS Research and Respite Services

As Congress returned from recess last week, the federal government spending debates have begun again (scroll down to see a synopsis). After long deliberations over the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget, Congress is slated to start the process over again for FY2012. As with years past, the National MS Society will be advocating for a number of initiatives to help accelerate research and treatments, and support families affected by MS. Click here to email your Members of Congress and ask them to request funding for MS priority issues!

Like FY2011, the FY 2012 appropriations process could be subject to lengthy discussions over the best approach to addressing fiscal concerns, while continuing to support important areas within the government. Just last month, the House debated and passed a FY2012 budget plan, largely along party lines, that would cut spending by $5.8 trillion over the next ten years according to the House Budget Committee. It fundamentally overhauls the Medicare and Medicaid programs. In response, President Obama released his own long-term budget proposal on April 13, which would cut approximately $4 trillion from the deficit over 12 years. Notably, President Obama’s proposal is a combination of spending cuts and tax increases for higher-income Americans. In addition, a bipartisan group of Senators is working on a proposal which is expected to include some of the recommendations from last year’s Fiscal Commission.

The appropriations season for FY2012 is slated to be considerably condensed due to the extended time allotted this year to pass the FY 2011 budget. Therefore, it is extremely important for you to contact your Members today and remind them to support two of our top appropriations requests: the MS research program in the Congressional Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) and the Lifespan Respite Care Program.

MS activists have been successful in opening a new funding stream for MS research within the CDMRP, receiving $5 million in FY 2009, $4.5 million in FY 2010 and $4.8 million in FY 2011. In order to keep this momentum and research going, ask your Member to include the MS program in the CDMRP in their programmatic requests. Similarly, respite care services are vital to ensuring quality home-based care for people living with MS. The Lifespan Respite Care Act was enacted in 2006, but has been woefully underfunded. Click here to take action today!

Congress Passes FY 2011 Budget; Maintains MS Research and Services

On April 14, Congress passed and later the President signed a full year Continuing Resolution (CR) for the remainder of FY 2011. After many weeks of negotiations, the Senate, House and President agreed to a budget that will cut $38 billion dollars from the federal budget. This bill will fund the federal government agencies and programs for the remainder of the fiscal year, through the end of September, 2011. Below is a summary of the final FY2011 budget for agencies and programs important to people living with MS.

FUNDING HIGHLIGHTS

MS Research in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program: The MS program in the CDMRP received $4.8 million in FY 2011, a modest increase of $300,000 over FY 2010. This brings the total allotted to MS in the CDMRP to more than $17 million over the past four years.
Lifespan Respite Care Act: The Lifespan Respite program received $2.5 million dollars, the same amount that the program received in FY2010.
National Institutes of Health (NIH): The bill provides $30.7 billion for NIH, a $260 million reduction (0.8 percent) below the FY2010 level.
Food & Drug Administration (FDA): The FDA will see a $107 million increase over FY 2010 funding levels; however, those dollars are largely allocated to food safety programs and not drug approval.

The Society is appreciative of the tremendous work MS activists did in achieving these budget victories, given the continued difficult economic climate that the country faces.

Court of Appeals Ruling Protects Stem Cell Research

On Friday, April 29, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in a 2-1 decision lifted an injunction imposed last year by a district court judge that blocked federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research. The district court’s injunction was subsequently stayed, allowing research already being conducted at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue while the appeals process unfolded. Last week’s Court of Appeals decision vacates the original injunction and continues to protect federal funding for stem cell research.

The National MS Society has made a commitment to pursue promising avenues that will lead to solutions that stop disease progression, restore function, and ultimately prevent future generations from ever receiving an MS diagnosis. This commitment is reflected in our decision to support the conduct of scientifically meritorious medical research, including research using human cells, in accordance with federal, state and local laws, and with adherence to the strictest ethical and procedural guidelines. This decision was not reached without intense scrutiny and discussion among volunteers, people living with MS, ethicists, researchers and scientists, and MS neurologists.

To keep future MS activism messages out of your junk folder, add the following address to your contacts or safe sender list: MSActionNetwork@nmss.org
Posted by Steve at Friday, May 06, 2011

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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.