April/May 2020 MS News- Risks For COVID-19, The Benefits of Meditation, Light Therapy, Saffron, Sativex & More
dr.vanta
Are you worried about being at a higher risk to get COVID-19?
This new study (not peer-reviewed yet) looked at the COVID outcome in those with MS (76 participants involved in the study. Good news, here is the conclusion: most MS patients with COVID-19 do not require hospitalization despite being on DMTs (disease-modifying therapy). Factors linked with critical illness were similar to the general at-risk patient population. DMT use did not seem to predict poor COVID-19 outcome.
MS itself does not increase the risk of getting COVID-19 however, certain factors associated with your MS may increase the risk of infection or complications: certain disease-modifying therapies, other chronic health conditions, age greater than 60. More details in this article from St Michael’s Hospital – Toronto
Helius Medical Technologies announced in May 2020 that its Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS) device, short-term treatment for gait deficit due to mild and moderate symptoms of MS used in conjunction with supervised physical therapy, has received a breakthrough designation by the FDA. More details here.
This new randomized trial shows that 6 weeks of massage in water therapy had a significant effect on walking speed, postural control (static and dynamic balance), pain intensity, fatigue, and quality of life in women with MS.
Cognitive improvement (working memory and verbal learning skills) can be achieved with a cognitive rehab program, according to this new randomized trial. Results are seen after 13 sessions during a 6 month period.
Mindfulness-integrated cognitive behavior therapy is suggested as an effective intervention in decreasing psychological problems of people with MS, including depression, anxiety, and stress, and in improving their quality of life, according to this new clinical trial.
4-week mindfulness-based training and adaptive cognitive training help improve memory- particularly working memory- according to this new clinical trial.
According to this new study, a program focused on self-care education for those with MS improves self-esteem, which leads to a boost in coping with and self-care.
Light Therapy: Photobiomodulation (PBM) has demonstrated efficacy to improve neurodegenerative disorders, in previous studies. This new study (animal models of MS), further suggests that this therapy may improve MS (via NO regulation). Note: photobiomodulation involves the use of soft lasers, also known as low-intensity light therapy (in this study, using a wavelength of 670nm)
Light Therapy: Bright white light therapy (LT) can improve fatigue associated with MS, according to this new clinical trial. Details about the light used in this randomized controlled trial: bright white LT (BWLT) (10,000 lx,) was used two times a day for 1 hour.
Herbs & A Few Prescription Drugs
Saffron: This new randomized, triple blinded placebo-controlled trial shows that saffron might be a promising strategy in the treatment of MS. This 12-months treatment with Saffron was found to improve the key components involved in the regulation of certain immune cells (T cells): serum levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the participants with RR-MS. Technical: Matrix metalloproteinases-(MMP)-9 facilitates the migration of T-cells to the central nervous system (CNS), while (Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-1) TIMP-1 inhibits the function of MMP-9.
Biotin (Vitamin B7): A new patent application aiming to use biotin (also known as Vitamin H, Coenzyme R, and Vitamin B7) compositions for MS management.
Carotenoids (pre-vitamin A)The many benefits of carotenoids (including the immune system, MS, heart health) are reviewed in this new study.
Astaxanthin, a special carotenoid was tested in this Astaxanthin For MS (animal models of MS). This compound was found to have the ability to reduce demyelination and the death of myelin-producing cells ( oligodendrocytes).
S Boulardii (probiotic). The benefits of this probiotic for several conditions (including the potential benefits to manage small intestine bacterial overgrowth- SIBO- in those with MS) are reviewed in this new study. Although classified as a probiotic, Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 is a yeast.
Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction (HQGZWW), a common formula of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) may help manage MS, suggests this new study (animal models of MS)
Curcumin: The benefits of curcumin for MS and neurodegenerative conditions (focused on the positive impact on astrocytes) are reviewed in this new study.
Farnesol, an organic, plant-derived compound may help reduce inflammation and may have a positive impact on the gut microbiome and gut-brain axis, suggests this new study (an animal model of MS).
Helminth therapy back in the news. This new study (an animal model of MS) suggests that infection with helminths may have a protective role against the disease, especially neuroinflammation associated with this condition.
CBD shows benefits for MS management (multiple mechanisms of action), according to this new study (animal models of MS)
Schisandrin B and Alantolactone (derived from two plants used in Traditional Chinese Medicine ) ameliorate MS, according to this new study (animal models of MS).
Prescription drugs:
Medical Cannabis(prescription cannabis-based drug Sativex): A combination of nabiximols (THC-CBD) and robot-assisted gait training was found safe and effective to manage MS-related spasticity and improve gait performance, according to this new clinical trial. A new study, involving over 1432 participants found that Sativex improves spasticity related symptoms in individuals with MS. (43.8% of patients showed an improvement in at least one spasticity-related symptom). More research on Sativex here.
Antifungal itraconazole appears to ameliorate MS, according to this new study (animal models of MS)
A new study (animal models of MS) reveals that sildenafil (Viagra) may have therapeutic potential for cognitive deficit associated with MS.
Gut Microbiome and diet
This new study found that people with MS have lower levels of certain short-chain fatty acids (SCFA): butyric and caproic acids. The gut microbiota in those with MS produces lower levels of SCFAs and shows an altered SCFAs profile. In addition, differences are more pronounced when disability (EDSS score) increases, and the disease progress.
The link between changes in gut flora increased intestinal permeability, and MS are reviewed in this new study. More details about gut flora here and changes in the gut flora related to MS here.
Genetics
This new Turkish study looked at Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphisms linked with MS. Fok-I and Taq-I VDR gene polymorphisms are significantly associated with MS disease but no association between MS and the VDR gene Bsm-I polymorphism was found in this study.
This new study suggests that the rs2275913 SNP can be considered as a candidate genetic marker for the susceptibility to MS disease in the population studied.
More news
Age of menarche (the first occurrence of menstruation) and risk of MS. The result of this new systematic review showed that the risk of MS decreases by increasing age at menarche.
Lower levels of the neurotransmitter GABA in certain areas of the brain linked with worsening in this new study. I wrote about GABA deficiency and MS here.
The link between MS and depression- this new study found that people with MS in the UK and the USA have a two‐ to three‐fold increased risk of new, treated depression compared to those in the control group (without MS), and females seem to be more affected than males. Data collected from the UK and the USA.
