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.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Welcome to the Rocky Mountain MS Center

Summary: Investigators worldwide are recruiting 1350 people with MS to study the safety and effectiveness of glatiramer acetate (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.). The current approved dose for glatiramer acetate is 20 mg per day delivered subcutaneously (under the skin), and this study is investigating the effectiveness of a higher dose, 40 mg, given less frequently (three times a week). The one-year study is funded by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., and is also called the GALA study.

Rationale: Glatiramer acetate is a synthetic protein that simulates myelin basic protein, a component of the myelin that insulates nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This therapy seems to block myelin-damaging T-cells through a mechanism that is not completely understood. Glatiramer acetate is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reduce the frequency of relapses in patients with relapsing-remitting MS and for use in individuals who have experienced a first clinical episode (clinically-isolated syndrome) and have MRI features that are consistent with MS.

Eligibility and details: Participants should be 18 to 55 years of age with a confirmed diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS. Participants must be in a relapse-free, stable neurological condition for a minimum of 30 days, but have experienced at least one documented relapse in the past 12 months, two documented relapses in the past 24 months, or one documented relapse between 12 and 24 months with disease activity on MRI. Further details on enrollment criteria are available from the contact below.
Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either glatiramer acetate 40 mg or inactive placebo three times a week subcutaneously for 12 months. The primary endpoint being measured is the effectiveness in reducing the total number of relapses, and secondary endpoints being measured are new disease activity on MRI, cumulative disease activity on MRI, and brain tissue volume loss. Other endpoints under study include quality of life.

Contact: To learn more about the enrollment criteria for this study, and to find out if you are eligible to participate, please email UStevatrials@teva.co.il.

Sites are going to be recruiting in the following U.S. cities:

Akron, OH
Aurora, CO
Boulder, CO
Centennial, CO
Columbus, OH
Dayton, OH
Detroit, MI
Fort Collins, CO
Fullerton, CA
Gilbert, AZ
Kirkland, WA
La Jolla, CA
Lenexa, KS
Lexington, KY
Lubbock, TX
Miami, FL
Naples, FL
Nashville, TN
Northbrook, IL
Oklahoma City, OK
Phoenix, AZ
Pompano Beach, FL
Ponte Verde, FL
Richmond, VA
Roanoke, VA
Round Rock, TX
Salt Lake City, UT
San Antonio, TX
Sarasota, FL
Shreveport, LA
Tampa, FL
Uniontown, OH
Vero Beach, FL
Vienna, VA

Click to download this as a PDF

Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center
8845 Wagner St. | Westminster, CO 80031
Posted by Steve at Thursday, March 10, 2011 0 comments

My Life, My MS: The African-American Experience with MS

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

My Life, My MS: The African-American Experience with MS
Date: Saturday, May 14, 2011
Time: 10:00 - 2:00 pm
Location: William J. Devine/Franklin Park Golf Course
Dorchester, MA

Pre-registration is REQUIRED. This program is FREE and includes continental breakfast and lunch.

Explore how MS affects the African-American community through presentations and round table discussions. Meet other African-Americans with MS and empower yourself to live well with MS everyday.

Program Agenda:

* What Does MS Mean for Me? A look at the African-American MS population.
Speaker: Guy J. Buckle, MD. MS Neurologist at the Partners MS Center, Brookline

* Practical Tips & Handy Hints for Living with MS
Speaker: Nancy Lowenstein, MS OTR, BCSN. Occupational Therapist, Mount Auburn MS Center, Cambridge

* Roundtable group discussions — learn from others and mingle with your peers.

For more information and to register, click here

Questions? Please contact Sarah MacIsaac at 800-344-4867 or sarah.macisaac@nmss.org.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Greater 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 Thursday, March 10, 2011 0 comments

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

MSConnection Spring 2011

MSConnection

PDF

Subscribe

Archives

A publication of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society,
Greater New England Chapter,
101A First Avenue, Suite 6
Waltham, MA 02451-1115
1-800-344-4867
www.msnewengland.org/

Chairman
Robert E. Shapiro

President & CEO
Arlyn A. White

MSConnection Editor
Steven R. Sookikian

Publications Specialist
Wendy Golden

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society does not endorse products, services or manufacturers. Such names appear here solely because they are considered valuable information. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society assumes no liability for the use of contents of any product or service mentioned.

Information provided by the Society is based upon professional advice, published, experience and expert opinion. Information provided in response to questions does not constitute therapeutic recommendations or prescriptions. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends that all questions and information be discussed with a personal physician.

We mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS.

©2011 National MS Society Greater New England Chapter
Table of Contents — Spring 2011 Issue
Susan Cohn-Child
Susan Cohn-Child was one of several local chapter members photographed to help promote MS Awareness Week

Features

* Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week 2011
* Peer Support Volunteer Training
* Northeast Chapters Collaborate on Growing the MS Challenge Walk Cape Cod

News

* From the President
* May 25 Is World MS Day
* Society’s Chief Research Officer Named
* Visions of Technological Equality
* The North American Education Program
* New MS Learn Onlines

Newly Diagnosed

* Connect With an MSFriend

Programs

* The First Steps to Smart Money Management
* Free Tax Preparation Services
* Coffee and Conversation
* Home LINKS
* Training the Trainers

Living with MS

* The Cane Mutiny
* How to Get Started With SSDI
* Living with MS

Research

* Research Next Steps
* The World of MS Research
* Research Updates
* Resources to Find Clinical Trials

Advocacy

* Federal Updates
* State Updates
o Maine
o Massachusetts
o New Hampshire
o Vermont

Volunteers

* Passionate People = Productivity

Fundraising

* Shining Stars Awards
* Create a Fundraiser to Remember
* Walk with Us This Spring 2011
* Ride with Us in 2011
* MS Journey of Hope
* Accept the Challenge
* Marathon Strides Against MS
* MS Plane Pull
* MilesStones 2011
* Women on the Move Luncheon

Calendar of Events - see current calendar

Classified Ads - see current listings

Programs Catalog - see upcoming programs list
Posted by Steve at Wednesday, March 09, 2011 0 comments
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About Me

My photo
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.