Multiple Sclerosis

Minorities have been historically underrepresented in healthcare research studies. Addressing this issue includes addressing minority concerns about their participation. Minorities, especially Black Americans, have had a complicated relationship with health research studies. The Tuskegee Airmen experiment enrolled African American men under false pretenses in a study about the effects of untreated syphilis and caused significant...

Patients with multiple sclerosis or NMOSD may have more complications with the COVID-19 vaccination when compared to the general population. Although vaccination against COVID-19 provides excellent protection against severe infection, this effect may be mitigated to some degree among those taking immunomodulatory medications, including those with multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). This...

IL-6 levels have been found to correlate with other autoimmune conditions, and this study provides some evidence that it is also a biomarker of NMOSD disease activity. Currently, there are no widely accepted soluble markers for disease progression or activity of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). This article, published in the Journal of Neuroimmunology, analyzed...

Patients with NMOSD have increased COVID-19 risks, as determined by this meta-analysis. Individual susceptibility to COVID-19, as well as the ultimate outcome of the disease, can vary widely depending on comorbidities. This study, published in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, sought to determine the clinical features of COVID-19 in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder...

Research shows physical activity can have positive results for people living with multiple sclerosis. A cross-sectional study including 41 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) examined respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, and pelvic floor function. The study found MS patients with more advanced deterioration of pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength also showed greater deterioration in...

Better inclusion of minorities in clinical trials is needed to ensure all affected populations are adequately represented. The cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains elusive. While there is ongoing research to test medications and treatment interventions, minorities can often be missing from research that informs treatment guidelines and recommendations for people living with MS. Hispanic-...

Preventative measures can be taken to possibly decrease hospitalization rates for people living with multiple sclerosis. Benjamin Franklin stated, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Although he was referring to fire prevention, this statement can be applied to diagnoses such as multiple sclerosis (MS). There is no prevention or cure for...

Inebilizumab, a newly approved medication for NMOSD, is determined to be effective at limiting relapses. However, there are some limitations regarding which patients may benefit. Among patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a significant percentage are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody seropositive. Inebilizumab is a monoclonal antibody treatment that targets the B cell antigen CD19 in...

Rituximab can help patients with NMOSD, but its mechanism is not fully understood. This article explores one possible hypothesis. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are autoimmune conditions caused by immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies directed against the water channel aquaporin-4. Among patients with NMOSD, clinical relapses tend to lead to disability. Relapses can be prevented by...