Blue Ridge Chapter Weekly E-list Update
October 22, 2008
Contents:
Programs:
1. Yoga for people with MS in Roanoke
2. Stress Management Workshop
3. Couples workshop in Lynchburg
Other News:
4. Recruiting Clinical Trials
5. Teams Funded by the National MS Society Report on Key Enzymes Related to MS Progression and Nervous System Repair
6. MS Trial Alert: Study of Oral Teriflunomide (HMR1726) Recruiting People with Relapsing Forms of MS Worldwide
Programs:
1. Yoga for people with MS in Roanoke
Register today for a yoga class designed to meet your needs!
This six week yoga class will be held on Thursdays beginning October 30th thru December 11th at 6:30pm-8pm. The class will be held at the Health Focus Center at 3807 Brandon Avenue SW. The cost for the six week session is $48. Remember that the Blue Ridge Chapter has Wellness Scholarships available to help pay for the cost of these classes. The Wellness Scholarships are not need based--call the chapter office at 1-800-344-4867 for more information on how to get yours today!
Call Health Focus at (540) 774-4022 by October 22, 2008 to enroll in this yoga class.
2. Stress Management Workshop
As the holidays approach and schedules get busier and busier, stress can build. How can you cope successfully? Attend a stress management program and learn more about strategically managing stress in your life.
Our presenter for this program is Dr. Robert Smith, a clinical psychologist. He has specifically tailored this stress management program to people with multiple sclerosis. Dr. Smith will address ways to cope effectively with the added stress of MS in your life.
Program Date:
November 4, 2008
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Christiansburg: 7pm at the Health and
Make this holiday season less stressful. Learn tips and tools to improve your life. Take part in one of these free, informative sessions near you!
Register by calling
1-800 344-4867 or (434) 971-8010.
3. Couples workshop in Lynchburg
Save the Date...for a very special opportunity in
For more details, click here.
Other News:
4. Recruiting Clinical Trials
Fingolimod Study
UVa Health System, Department of Neurology is looking for men and women ages 18 through 55 with relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with a documented relapse in the past year or 2 relapses in the past 2 years, for a research study.
The purpose of the study is to compare 2 dosages of an experimental medication (fingolimod or FTY720) with placebo (an inactive compound) for treatment of relapsing-remitting MS. Study involves taking an experimental medicine/placebo, blood draws, chest CT scan(s), pulmonary function testing, eye exams, MRIs of the head, and physical and neurological exams. This is a 2-year study with a minimum of 14 visits, lasting from 1 to 8 hours. Study-related exams, tests and experimental medication provided free of charge. Participants will be paid $30 per visit as compensation for travel.
Contact Information:
For more information please contact:
Margaret Keller RN MS at 434-243-5457 or email at mfk8e@virginia.edu
Insert IRB-HSR # 12725
Principal Investigator: Myla D.
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Study-related exams, tests and experimental medication provided free of charge.
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Compensation for completion of each scheduled study visit
Contact Information:
For more information please contact:
Margaret Keller RN MS
434-243-5457mfk8e@virginia.edu
IRB HSR # 13827
Principal Investigator: Virginia Simnad MD
5. Teams Funded by the National MS Society Report on Key Enzymes Related to MS Progression and Nervous System Repair
Two teams of researchers funded by the National MS Society have reported findings on nerve tissue injury and repair that add important information needed to stop MS progression and develop nervous system repair strategies. Isobel Scarisbrick, PhD (Mayo Clinic and Foundation,
Dr. Scarisbrick reported her team’s findings related to MS progression at the annual meeting of the American Neurological Association (Abstract T-99). Dr. Casaccia’s report on the enzyme critical for repair appeared in Nature Neuroscience (early online publication, August 24, 2008).
Progressive MS and KLK enzymes (Dr. Scarisbrick’s team): Understanding the processes that lead to tissue damage in MS is crucial to feed parallel efforts to protect and repair the brain and spinal cord. Dr. Scarisbrick previously found elevated levels of “KLK6” (a newly identified member of the kallikrein enzyme family) in areas of damage found in tissue samples from people with MS. Now, in a follow-up study, the group has studied the levels of KLK6 and other kallikreins in blood samples taken from 35 people with different clinical courses of MS and 62 controls without MS.
The results show that KLK1 and KLK6 were elevated in people with MS, with the highest levels appearing in people with secondary-progressive MS (a course of MS that initially is relapsing-remitting and then becomes progressive, with or without occasional relapses and minor remissions).
The team also exposed nerve cells isolated from mice to KLK1 or KLK6 in the laboratory, and found that the enzymes promoted nerve cell loss. Dr. Scarisbrick is continuing to study the role of these enzymes in nerve fiber injury and hopes to find a way to target them with therapeutic strategies for people with progressive MS.
Repair and HDAC enzymes (Dr. Casaccia’s team): MS involves immune attacks against brain and spinal cord tissues, primarily myelin, the insulation that surrounds and protects nerve fibers. Several studies have indicated that, early in the disease, immature myelin-making cells called, “oligodendrocyte progenitors” are recruited to generate new myelin. A sufficient number of these cells is needed so that progenitors can migrate to the site of myelin damage and develop into myelin-making cells. Then, genes that instruct the formation of myelin components are activated and myelin is formed. In MS, this process fails. Dr. Casaccia is studying whether some molecules may inhibit the activation of the genes that promote myelin formation.
In this study, Dr. Casaccia’s team observed the gene activity during oligodendrocyte development in mice with damaged myelin. They found that enzymes called histone deacetylases (HDACs) were crucial to this process, particularly HDAC1 and HDAC2. Deleting these two enzymes impaired the differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitors, that is, the process by which these cells develop a more specialized form or function. The team is studying how these findings might be translated into therapeutic strategies.
-- Research and Clinical Programs Department
6. MS Trial Alert: Study of Oral Teriflunomide (HMR1726) Recruiting People with Relapsing Forms of MS Worldwide
Summary: Investigators worldwide are recruiting 1110 people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) for a study comparing two doses of teriflunomide (HMR1726), an experimental, oral MS treatment, and inactive placebo. For the purposes of this study, "relapsing forms of MS" would include individuals who have experienced one MS attack in the past one year or two MS attacks in the past two years. The study, known as the “TOWER” study, is sponsored by Sanofi-Aventis.
Rationale: Multiple sclerosis occurs when the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord. Teriflunomide is an agent that may decrease immune system activity in MS. Results of a previous study in 179 people with MS evaluating the effects of teriflunomide were reported by Paul O’Connor, MD (
Eligibility and Details: People eligible for participation include individuals 18-55 years of age with relapsing forms of MS.
Participants will be randomly assigned to receive 7 mg teriflunomide, 14 mg or placebo once daily for a minimum of 48 weeks. The main outcome measure of the study is to determine whether the study drug reduces the frequency of relapses significantly more than placebo.
The National MS Society is proud to be a source of information about MS. Our comments are based on professional advice, published experience and expert opinion, but do not represent individual therapeutic recommendation or prescription. For specific information and advice, consult your personal physician. The National MS Society is proud to be a source of information about MS. Our comments are based on professional advice, published experience and expert opinion, but do not represent individual therapeutic recommendation or prescription. For specific information and advice, consult your personal physician.
Other measures of the treatment effects will also be performed, and safety and tolerability will be monitored.
Contact: For further information, and to find out if this study is enrolling patients at a site near you, please visit http://tower3.msstudies.com or call toll-free 1-866-565-0245. Sites will be enrolling in the following states:
-- Research and Clinical Programs Department
Click here to view the very latest research news on the National MS Society website.
The Blue Ridge Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is proud to be a source of information about multiple sclerosis. Our comments are based on professional advice, published information, and expert opinion, but do not represent therapeutic recommendation or prescription. For specific information and advice, consult your qualified physician.
The Blue Ridge Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society does not endorse products, services, or manufacturers. Such names appear here solely because they are considered valuable information. The chapter assumes no liability whatsoever for the contents or use of any product or service mentioned.