Stu's Views and 'HIS' MS News

written by: Stuart Schlossman - RRMS

Looking in the Mirror

Having been detoxing from one medication for a few weeks and will be beginning a new medication by the middle of December. For those that have been following what I do for the past few years, not just posting articles I find of MS News from the internet, but when I occasionally write about my own MS trials and errors and so on...

Many of you remember my 4-part series on what I did to myself, when I hap-hazardly (sp?) took myself off of my meds for 5 weeks and what it did to me? well now, being off my medication for just over two weeks is beginning to have some ill-sided effects on how I am feeling...

My fear of beginning this new MS therapy will soon be over-with as I will be begging to get onto it if these negative factors, like the vertigo, again begins to have me spinning out of control.

What I am writing about may not make any sense to many of you. So, if you want, click here to read my hiatus stories from MS medication in 2008 and what it did to me.

This will keep you focused I hope, on remaining-on, or getting onto, an MS Medication.

So here I am today, while detoxing from one medication, getting ready to begin another and I feel as if I am looking into a mirror with symptoms arising again, but this time, purposely not currently using an MS medication....

I need to go lay down.....Have a good night...

Stuart

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Another war story: Wag the Tail

Another amazing video

You think they don't remember?



A two-minute video of a soldier being greeted by his dogs after returning home after 14-months in Iraq.

http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2008/10/via-rich-miller.html

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Oral Cladribine's approval - denied by FDA

EMD Serono Receives Refuse to File Letter from FDA on Cladribine Tablets New Drug Application

• Press Release
• Source: EMD Serono, Inc. - On 9:06 am EST, Monday November 30, 2009

ROCKLAND, Mass., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- EMD Serono, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announced today that it received a refuse to file letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the New Drug Application (NDA) for Cladribine Tablets, EMD Serono's proprietary investigational oral formulation of cladribine, as a therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

"The company will work closely with the FDA to fully understand FDA's concerns and define a path forward for a successful resubmission of this application at the earliest point in time," said Elmar Schnee, Member of the Executive Board Merck KGaA and Head of Pharmaceuticals. "We remain focused on delivering on our promise to transform the way people living with multiple sclerosis approach their therapy options."

Continue to read by clicking here

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MS eJournal Club's webcast on interferon beta-1b versus 20 mg glatiramer acetate - Taking place on December 2, 2009

Be prepared for the live MS eJournal Club webcast—Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Please join us for DIME's Multiple Sclerosis (MS) eJournal Club, in session Wednesday, Decmeber 2, 2009, at 12:15 ET.

To assure a productive session, log on prior to the live session and download the activity materials. Log on to www.msejournalclub.org/discussion.aspx?id=5

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Paul O’Connor, MD, and Michael Kaufman, MD, will discuss an article recently published in The Lancet Neurology, "250 µg or 500 µg interferon beta-1b versus 20 mg glatiramer acetate in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a prospective, randomised, multicentre study." After the live discussion, join us for an interactive question-and-answer session.

We sincerely hope you will join us.

Anne H. Cross MD
Professor of Neurology
Director
John L. Trotter MS Center at Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Hospital
St. Louis, Missouri

Michael Kaufman, MD
Director, MS Center
Department of Neurology
Carolinas Medical Center
Charlotte, North Carolina

Paul O'Connor, MD
Professor of Neurology
University of Toronto
MS Clinic Director
Department of Neurology
St. Michael's Hospital
Toronto, Canada

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Sammy Jo wants You all to Know...

MS Patient 'Sammy Jo' wants you all to know more of CCSVI

Click this link to have access to many articles under one page listing.

Bookmark it for easier access.

If YOU have something to share with the MS community, send it to Stu for review.

stuart@msviewsandnews.org

Thank You

Frustrated in South Florida

To MY FRIENDS,

My sincere thanks to those that have helped me to provide the information posted daily on my blog, as the NEWS becomes available. Freshly baked and prepared to supply to the world.

However, there are many, who have not used the blog like they might turn on the evening or morning news.

This is being brought to attention because over the last few days, I have been posted many articles concerning CCSVI. Most supplied to me by FB (Facebook) friends concerning this topic.

Everyday, I post topics of interest for many at my blog. Topics pertaining to MS. Rarely do I miss anything. Yet even with all these postings, people turn around and send things to me a day or two later, that they just heard about from elsewhere.

Before anybody sends anything to me that they feel is new, they could first check the blog to see how it might have already been captured. The topic may already be buried under all the other daily posts. Use the Search box found partway down on the right side to enter a keyword of what you seek to know concerning MS.

With the hundreds of emails that I receive each day, being again sent repetitious materials of articles that Have ALREADY been posted to my site, does nothing but to add more email to my delete bin.

You have trusted me in the past and know how much I am doing each day and how time consuming it is.

All I ask is that either towards the end of each day or the beginning of the next, take a peek as to what might be new to your eyes.

Please try to look at the blog each day. If nothing is of interest to you then just close it.

Save or Bookmark this Blog URL: http://wwwmsviewsandrelatednews.blogspot.com for easier access.

THANK YOU

Stuart

p.s. - YES, IT IS FRUSTRATING and sorry if I offended anybody for sending this.

p.s.s - Physicians from around the globe and staff of many MS organizations see what I post, so that they can use it for themselves or their organization newsletters.

p.s.s.s. - Is it my current bout with MS, that is making me frustrated ?

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High unexpressed anger in MS patients linked to nervous system damage, not disease severity

November 24, 2009 - PhysOrg.com

People with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) feel more than twice as much withheld anger as the general population and this could have an adverse effect on their relationships and health, according to a study published in the December issue of the European Journal of Neurology.

Italian researchers assessed 195 patients with MS, using a range of scales that measure anger, depression and anxiety, and then compared them with the general population.

They were surprised by the results, which showed that while patients experienced almost twice the normal level of withheld anger and exerted low levels of control on their anger, their expressed anger levels were similar to the general population.

This, together with the fact that the elevated withheld anger levels were not related to the severity of the patients' MS, suggests that these inconsistent changes were caused by nervous system damage, rather than an emotional reaction to the stress of the disease.

"We believe that the higher levels of withheld anger shown by the study subjects is due to demyelination, loss of the substance in the white matterthat insulates the nerve endings and helps people receive and interpret messages from the brain" explains lead researcher Dr Ugo Nocentini from the IRCCS S Lucia Foundation in Rome.

"The way we process anger is controlled by complex interconnections between the subcortical and cortical systems, notably the amygdale and basal ganglia and the medial prefrontal cortex. We believe that the demyelination process that causes the root symptoms of MS also disrupts the pathways that control how we deal with withheld anger."

READ MORE -- ~ G-R-R ~

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Factors from common human bacteria may trigger multiple sclerosis

Farmington, CT – Current research suggests that a common oral bacterium may exacerbate autoimmune disease. The related report by Nichols et al, "Unique Lipids from a Common Human Bacterium Represent a New Class of TLR2 Ligands Capable of Enhancing Autoimmunity," appears in the December 2009 issue of The American Journal of Pathology.

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease where the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord, affects nearly 1 in 700 people in the United States. Patients with multiple sclerosis have a variety of neurological symptoms, including muscle weakness, difficulty in moving, and difficulty in speech.

Porphyromas gingivalis, a common oral bacterium in humans, produces a unique type of lipid, phosphorylated dihydroceramides (DHCs), which enhance inflammatory responses. These lipids are also likely produced by bacteria found in other parts of the body including the gastrointestinal tract. To determine if these lipids accentuate immune-mediated damage in autoimmune disease, researchers led by Robert B. Clark and Frank C. Nichols of the University of Connecticut Health Center administered phosphorylated DHCs in a mouse model of MS. The severity of disease was significantly enhanced by the addition of these lipids in a manner that was dependent on activation of the immune system. These data suggest that phosphorylated DHCs from bacteria commonly found in humans may trigger or increase the severity of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

The authors state that "while it is clear that the immune system in most individuals has the potential to attack self-tissues, the "tipping" factors that initiate and propagate autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis in only a subset of individuals remain unknown. Overall, [their] results represent the first description that phosphorylated DHCs derived from common human bacteria are capable of enhancing autoimmune disease." Thus, these lipids may function as "tipping" factors, playing a previously unrecognized role in initiating or exacerbating human autoimmune diseases. In future studies, Dr. Clark and colleagues plan to characterize the effects of phosphorylated DHCs on specific cells of the immune system and to identify how and where these lipids are deposited in tissues throughout the body. In addition to the role of these lipids in triggering and worsening MS, the authors believe that phosphorylated DHCs may have the potential to serve both as new markers of MS disease activity and as new targets for therapeutic intervention.

CONTINUE Reading from Eureka Alerts

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MS progress slowed by giving birth, Belgian doctors say

So Guys, WHAT DO WE DO ?

BBC News reports:

Women who had given birth before or after developing MS were 34% less likely to become seriously disabled Giving birth seems to slow the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS), Belgian and Dutch researchers say. The researchers tracked 330 women with MS for 18 years and found that among those who had children, severe disability took longer to develop. Writing in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, they say previous studies have suggested a worsening of MS just after birth. But the MS Society said the study was flawed and further research was needed. MS is a long-term inflammatory condition of the central nervous system. It affects the transfer of messages from the nervous system to the rest of the body. Continue with this topic by clicking here to read balance of article

Experimental MS surgery draws Canadian interest

Monday, November 23, 2009

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada will finance some research into an experimental Italian treatment but urges patients not to stop treatment until more is known about the procedure. (M. Spencer Green/Associated Press)

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada will be asking Canadian scientists to propose their own research into a procedure that has ignited the hopes of patients in Europe and North America.

The procedure is known as chronic cerebro spinal venous insufficiency, or CCSVI, and involves removing a blockage in the veins that carry blood to and from the brain.

Click here to read more

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MS Views and News provides information to keep those affected by Multiple Sclerosis informed and up-to-date. Please register at our website to begin receiving our weekly MS Related e-newsletter.

MS Views and News - fournit des informations à conserver ceux qui sont touchés par la sclérose en plaques informés et up-to-date. S'il vous plaît vous inscrire à notre site Web pour commencer à recevoir nos hebdomadaires liés à la SEP e-newsletter.

MS Views and News - proporciona información para mantener a los afectados por esclerosis múltiple informado y al día. Por favor regístrese en nuestra página web para empezar a recibir nuestros semanales relacionadas con la EM e-boletín.

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MS Society Canada is helping to take steps to learn more of: Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and MS

Keep in mind, all to do with CCVI is Hypothetical - Stuart

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Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and MS
Overview and FAQ *UPDATED* - November 2009

"As President and CEO of the MS Society, I am aware of the tremendous interest across Canada and around the world caused by the recent news coverage of the CCSVI study. Indeed I share your excitement and hope in the preliminary findings of this study. I also celebrate and respect the integrity of our research funding programs which will continue to ensure that the very best projects are selected and supported. For more detail on this process please link here."

Yves Savoie
President and chief executive officer
President, Ontario Division

Overview

Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) describes a hypothetical disruption of blood flow in which the venous system is not able to efficiently remove blood from the central nervous system resulting in increased pressure in the veins of the brain and spinal cord which in turn results in damage to these areas. Recent reports have revived the idea of an association between inadequate venous drainage and multiple sclerosis.

The MS Society of Canada is aware of recent reports on the subject of CCSVI that may open up new avenues of research including new therapies for MS. While the early data shows promise, it is important to acknowledge that the concepts surrounding CCSVI and multiple sclerosis are still relatively new and requires replication and validation in much larger, well-designed scientific studies before they can be accepted as established.

The MS Society of Canada is closely monitoring all research related to CCSVI and will post new information on www.mssociety.ca.

Click here to read the FAQ's ( Frequently Asked Questions) on CCSVI

The above link will take you to the MS Society Canada website

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Breaking News: MS Society of Canada announces request for research operating grants related to CCSVI and MS

I just received the following message from the MS Society Canada

The message found below, was sent to their own staff

Dear staff:

As many of you know, we have received tremendous interest and excitement about the chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and MS story that appeared on CTV’s W5 this weekend. While Dr. Zamboni is the first to comment that these early results require additional study, it will please you to know that the MS Society of Canada has just confirmed that it will launch a competition to fund operating grants related to CCSVI and MS. To read about this announcement please link here.

In the meantime we recommend that you learn more about CCSVI and MS.

Thanks to your dedication, we will continue to play a leading role in ending MS.

Stewart

The Stewart found above, is not the Stuart, who posts these messages. This is a new topic for me too, and I am trying as fast as my brain allows, to catch up on this new information.

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"Anomalous venous blood flow and iron deposition in multiple sclerosis"

website

Publications

"The big Idea: Iron-dependent inflammation in venous disease and proposed parallels in multiple sclerosis", 2006
in "The Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine" Vol. 99, pp. 589-593
> Go to the Website
> Read the paper

"Intracranial Venous Haemodynamics in multiple Sclerosis", 2007
in "Current Neurovascular Research" ed. 4, pp. 252-258
> Go to the Website
> Read the paper

"Doppler Haemodynamics of cerebral Venous Return", 2008
in "Current Neurovascular Research" ed. 5, pp. 260-265
> Go to the Website
> Read the paper

"The value of cerebral Doppler venous haemodynamics in the assessment of multiple sclerosis", 2009
in "Journal of the Neurological Sciences"
> Go to the Website
> Read the paper

"Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in patients with multiple sclerosis", 2009
in "Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry"ed. 80, pp. 392-399
> Go to the Website
> Read the paper

"Rationale and preliminary results of endovascular treatment of multiple sclerosis, the liberation procedure", 2009
in "1978-2009 -31 years- Vascular and Endovascular Controversies Update" 31° International Symposium - CX Charing Cross, pp. 71-79
> Download the paper

"Endovascular Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis", maggio 2009
in "Vascular News" ed. 80, pp. 392-399
> Go to the Website
> Read the paper
> Download the paper

"Venous Collateral Circulation of the Extracranial Cerebrospinal Outflow Routes"
in "Current Neurovascular Research" Volume 6, Number 3, August 2009
> Download the paper
> Download the paper

"Anomalous venous blood flow and iron deposition in multiple sclerosis"
in "Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism", September 2 2009
> Go to the Website
> Read the paper

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MSV&N is providing information, that may benefit those affected by Multiple Sclerosis

If not yet receiving our weekly e-Digest, please visit our website to register for our newsletter.

http://www.msviewsandnews.org ---- Thank You

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"CCSVI, congenital venous malformation associated with multiple sclerosis"

The research project is supported by Fondazione HILARESCERE, chaired by Professor Fabio Roversi-Monaco.

Set up upon an initiative of Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio in Bologna, Fondazione Hilarescere - as is stated in the deed of formation - aims to support medical and scientific research in the field of diseases of unknown or poorly known etiopathogenesis where the diagnostic and therapeutic standards have little effect on the quality of life of the affected individuals, especially in the field of chronic and degenerative diseases of the nervous and vascular systems with particular reference to multiple sclerosis.
The Foundation also aims to promote and sustain the dissemination of preventive, diagnostic, care and assistance techniques to the subjects suffering from such diseases.

Watch the video-based explanation "CCSVI, congenital venous malformation associated with multiple sclerosis" by clicking here.

Because of language The video is bit difficult to understand.

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