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, September 9, 2011

Federal Focus - September 2011

Tell Your Members about Priorities for People with MS, as the Supercommittee Moves Forward
Congress has just returned to Washington, D.C. from a month-long district and state work period. Before the House and Senate adjourned for this August recess, they enacted the Budget Control Act that put in place a bipartisan Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction that is tasked with developing recommendations for a deficit reduction package. Members have been appointed to this "Supercommittee" and a detailed timeline is included in the law, with certain deadlines that the Supercommittee must meet. The Supercommittee's first meeting happened this week and it will continue to meet over the next several weeks. By November 23, the Supercommittee must put forth its recommendations and vote on them. If a majority of the Supercommittee votes in favor of the recommendations, it then submits its proposed legislation to Congress for an ‘up or down’ vote--which must happen by December 23.

The Society has been and will continue to monitor any proposed changes to programs and services for people living with MS. As the Committee forms its recommendations, all options for reducing spending are technically on the table. As a result, the Supercommittee and then Congress could pass changes to programs like Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid that directly or indirectly impact access to services. Another possible scenario is if the Supercommittee does not pass its recommendations, automatic across-the-board cuts would go into effect beginning in January 2013. If automatic cuts are triggered, Congress did enact a safeguard for Medicaid, Social Security, and Medicare beneficiaries whereby these benefits would not be cut. Another potential scenario is if the Supercommittee approves cuts totaling less than $1.2 trillion over ten years, automatic cuts would still be triggered to make up the difference.

As the Supercommittee continues its meetings and makes these important decisions, click here to remind your members of Congress about the importance of protecting federal programs and services for people living with MS. Members of Congress have opportunities to weigh in with the Supercommittee so be sure to email your members today!

Federal Appropriations Update
Each year, the Society advocates for robust appropriations for research institutions like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), for MS research funding streams like the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), the Lifespan Respite Care Program, and federal programs and agencies like Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and the Food and Drug Administration. Several months ago, the Society submitted written testimony to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees about the importance of this research and these programs for people living with MS.

Some appropriations bills have passed the House, but others have not moved significantly in either chamber. The House of Representatives has passed a Department of Defense appropriations bill that includes $3.8 million for MS research in the CDMRP and a Senate bill is expected to be marked up this month. The House Subcommittee with jurisdiction over many health-related programs was scheduled to mark up its appropriations bill today, but the markup was postponed.

The end of the fiscal year is only a few weeks away although much work remains to complete the annual federal appropriations process. While there has not been explicit direction, there is speculation that Congress could end up wrapping several different appropriations bills into what is known as an "omnibus." Stay tuned for opportunities to weigh in with your members of Congress, to ensure that MS-related appropriations receive the funding they deserve!
Posted by Steve at Friday, September 09, 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.