Canadian Multiple Sclerosis Society Invests $1.5 Million in First-Ever Cannabis Research. The funding, part of a cannabis research strategy of ten healthcare partners including The Institute of Cancer Research and The Mental Health Commission of Canada, will be ongoing for five years. Note: When used as a medicine, cannabis works very well and cannabis-based drug Sativex has quite a few studies to prove it (more details about Sativex here).
Talking about cannabis, there is a new study looking at cannabinoid receptors as therapeutic targets. Both THC and CBD components of medical marijuana have immunosuppressive effects, and specifically, CB2R agonists have emerged as new strategies for autoimmunity diseases. More details about the endocannabinoid system here and here.
Why monkeys don’t get MS ? An evolutionary approach to MS is explored in this study. Could MS be the result of disruption of homeostasis in brain development? Some great questions about the interactions between genes and modern environments.
Exercise
A new randomized controlled study found that circuit training (aerobic-resistance circuit training and resistance circuit training) is well tolerated in cases of mild-to-severe MS and has a positive impact on physical performance (muscle strength, postural balance, mood, decreased fatigue). Note: Participants were randomly allocated to either combined aerobic resistance circuit training or resistance circuit training only.
Aerobic training helps improve balance, according to this new randomized study, which evaluated two types of training with and without blood flow restriction.
Staying as active as possible is important. Those with MS who reported more strenuous and/or frequent physical activity, experience fewer problems with fatigue, depression, and perceived memory abilities, suggests this new study.
Whole body vibration improves core muscle strength, core muscle endurance and quality of life in individuals with MS, according to this new randomized controlled trial.
Natural Supplements For MS
New patent application: this drug designed to treat MS is based on vitamin b1 (biotin) 100 mg biotin per unit dose. Note Check out previous articles in this section, I wrote about biotin.
Treating MS with vitamins, antioxidants and other supplements makes sense, according to this new study, where researchers explore combined medicine cytoflavin (which contains succinate, nicotinamide, riboflavin and inosine).
Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. (TWHF), a widely used traditional Chinese medicine herb may help treat neurodegeneration associated with MS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Key active ingredients: triptolide and celastrol. More details in this new study.
Aloe vera alcoholic extract gel shows potential to decrease inflammatory markers associated with MS, suggests this new study (animal models of MS).
Diets Help Manage MS
A modified Mediterranean diet, (which includes unprocessed red meat), was associated with reduced risk of FCD in this new Australian study. *FCD=first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination, a common precursor to MS.
A ketogenic diet increases lean mass and helps decrease inflammation and oxidation in people with MS, according to this new pilot study.
This new study reviews the importance of nutrition for managing MS. The most important nutrients studied were: vitamin D, antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, B vitamins, fibers and probiotics, antioxidant minerals (selenium, zinc, copper, magnesium), other bioactive compounds (ie flavonoids), fats, coffee, and various diets.
Gut Microbiome
Gut flora is altered in MS, showing a reduction of butyrate-producing bacteria, according to this new study from Japan.
Improving gut microbiota may help manage neurodegeneration and disease severity, according to this new study (animal models of progressive MS).
Changes in gut flora and a lack of short fatty chain acids (SCFAs) correlated with MS and might be related to an aberrant immune response of MS, suggests this new study.
I wrote about the role of gut flora and how is changed in MS here.
More News
Targeting non-neuronal cells to treat MS: Pericytes, which are a type of brain cells may be key players in the process of remyelination, according to this new study. Note: More and more studies reveal than non-neuronal cells such as these pericytes, glia, ependymal and epithelial cells are also very important for brain health. Another new study focuses on another type of non-neuronal brain cells: astrocytes and the potential to be used as a therapeutic target. Note: I wrote about astrocytes and their role in health and MS in this article about the glymphatic system here. A third new study found that microglia (also non-neuronal brain cells) suppressed secondary progression to MS (animal study).
Neurotransmitters, hormones, and MS: Kynurenine pathway (KP) plays an important role in MS, and generally speaking in the development of neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disorders- more details in this new study. I wrote about this pathway in details when I covered neurotransmitter imbalances (serotonin) here. The role of dopamine in the brain and the immune system is explored in this study, which also correlates changes in dopamine levels with MS, Parkinson’s disease, IBD and more. I wrote in details about dopamine deficiency symptoms and how is linked with MS here. The link between fat metabolism — sex hormones -MS are explored in this new study.
This new study reviews an older concept -thalamus dysfunction as a key cause of fatigue in MS.
Two factors that may influence the age of onset for MS: being delivered via C-section and bottle-fed (infant formula) linked with earlier diagnosis of MS (compared with vaginal delivery and breastfeeding respectively), suggests this study.
Back in the news: salt (sodium) intake is a risk factor for MS disease progression and potentially onset of disease, reveals this new study.
Infections of a trigger for MS — this theory is back in the news. This new study covers the link between MAP (Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis) and MS.
Dr.Zamboni’s concept using percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in people with MS and Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) This new systematic review of 3 randomized controlled trials (238 participants) suggests that PTA is a safe intervention but does not provide benefits (does not improve symptoms and can not be recommended for MS.
Therapies for MS
Ultraviolet therapy (narrowband UVB) might delay progression to MS in people with CIS (clinically isolated syndrome) according to this new study.
CBT and mindfulness (MBTs) help reduce psychological distress in patients with MS and Parkinson’s disease, according to this new study.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can help increase walking speed but does not improve mobility in individuals with MS, suggests this new randomized double-blind study tDCS for MS.
Symptoms/Conditions Associated With MS
Sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction is very common in MS (66.7%) and correlates with was with a higher disability score, a longer duration of illness, and low self-esteem, according to this new study.
Osteoporosis. People with MS have lower bone density and are more likely to develop osteoporosis according to this new study.
Depression. There is a strong correlation between depression and gait impairments in MS, suggests this new study.
Increased body mass index is strongly associated with urinary issues in MS (overactive bladder, stress incontinence), according to this new study.
IBS and other functional digestive conditions are common in MS and affect the quality of life, according to this new study.
Sleep disorders are very among MS patients, and those with PPMS and SPMS have more problems. According to this new study, sleep disturbances included: poor sleep quality (seen in 76% of the participants), excessive daytime sleepiness (44%), restless leg syndrome (40% of the cases), decreased total sleep time, sleep efficiency index and REM sleep.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a lot more prevalent (20-fold higher prevalence) in those with MS compared with individuals without MS, according to this new study.
Skin: unexplained itching (which can be often severe), and pins and needle sensation
Lung: reduced pulmonary function
Vision problems
Foot drop and other musculoskeletal conditions affecting the foot
Genetics
This new study analyzed the association of certain gene variations (MIR146A, MIR196A2, and MIR499A) with the risk of primary progressive multiple sclerosis. MIR196A2*C was useful in discriminating between PPMS and RRMS.
Prescription Drugs Used For Other Medical Conditions That Could Help MS & New Drugs For MS
New drug for MS? A patent application — the drug 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) which could be used to treat MS and many other neurological and muscular conditions. Note: DNP is not a new drug- had been used until 1930 to treat obesity, then was withdrawn from the market due to serious toxicity. DNP found again hidden under different names in some supplements for bodybuilders.
Low dose aspirin may help manage MS, according to this new study (animal models of MS). Technical: low-dose aspirin protects EAE via CREB-mediated stimulation of IL-11–Treg pathway.
Anti-asthma drugs ipratropium and salmeterol may help treat MS, because reduces the risk of being diagnosed with MS, according to this new study. Note: this shouldn’t be a surprise because these drugs impact mast cells and histamine levels- I wrote about the link between histamine and MS here and how to improve histamine levels naturally here.
New Drug Approved For MS: Siponimod was recently approved for MS (CIS, RR-MS and active SPMS) in the US, under regulatory review in EU and Japan for SPMS.
