"MS Views and News" (MSV&N) will host it's first MS education program on February 6, 2010 in Miami.

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Our First education Program is designed for the Spanish speaking MS community.

Please click this link, to learn more of this program.

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Dr. Angel Chinea, Director of the MS Center in Puerto Rico, will be the Speaker of this Spanish Language program, taking place on February 6, 2010.

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An RSVP is required. Click the above link for more information.

Please RSVP (via email or phone) for this luncheon program

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RSVP soon as space is limited

"Su Vida Con Esclerosis Múltiple" es para pacientes de EM y sus familiares.

Reserve sus espacios. Responda por email a: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

National MS Society Press Release - January 22, 2010

Contact Arney Rosenblat - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

AMPYRA (Fampridine SR) IS FIRST SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT DRUG DEVELOPED SPECIFICALLY TO TREAT MS, THE FIRST ORAL MS THERAPY APPROVED FOR MS, AND THE FIRST NEW FDA APPROVED THERAPY TO COME THROUGH THE MS PIPELINE SINCE 2004

New York, NY…..The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the marketing of Ampyra™ (dalfampridine, formerly known as fampridine SR, from Acorda Therapeutics) for its ability to improve walking speed in people with any type of multiple sclerosis.

Ampyra is the first therapy specifically approved to treat a symptom of MS, and as an oral drug it represents a big step forward for many people who may benefit from its use.  Ampyra is also the first new FDA approved therapy for MS since 2004. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=2586

“The FDA’s approval of Ampyra is wonderful news for many people with MS who experience problems with walking,” said John R. Richert, MD, Executive Vice President for Research & Clinical Programs at the National MS Society. “This brings a welcome symptomatic therapy that may restore some function and make a real difference in quality of life for a large number of people with different types of MS.”

Further study and clinical practice may help determine the extent to which the drug may impact other functions not measured in the clinical trials, and provide hints as to which individuals are most likely to respond.

Ampyra, formerly known as fampridine SR, is a tablet containing a sustained-release formula of 4-aminopyridine, which blocks tiny pores, or potassium channels, on the surface of nerve fibers. This blocking ability may improve the conduction of nerve signals in nerve fibers whose insulating myelin coating has been damaged by MS. The first studies of this potassium-blocking approach in people with MS were supported by the National MS Society.

A recent survey among more than 1,000 individuals with MS and many of their family members examined the impact of difficulty walking on quality of life among patients with MS and their families. Some two-thirds of patients reported difficulty walking and of these, 70% reported that such difficulty was the most challenging part of their MS, and most reported that difficulty walking restricts their daily activities significantly, including their ability to travel. (Read more about survey results http://www.nationalmssociety.org/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=199)

Most Frequently asked Questions:

Q. What is Ampyra? (pronounced ahmPEERah)

A. Ampyra, formerly known as fampridine SR, is a tablet containing a sustained-release formula of 4-aminopyridine, which blocks tiny pores, or potassium channels, on the surface of nerve fibers. This blocking ability may improve the conduction of nerve signals in nerve fibers whose insulating myelin coating has been damaged by MS. The first studies of this potassium-blocking approach in people with MS were supported by the National MS Society

Read Many other Important Questions, by clicking HERE to be re-directed to the MS Society webpage

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Remain Up-to-date with MS Views and News, when registered at our website to receive our weekly MS related e-newsletter, following us on facebook and reading our twitter tweets.. Click the registration link found HERE to register. Also, review our blog each day.

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Important MS Resourcing Links

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Many have asked if they can have access to previous "Stu's Views and MS Related News", e-Newsletters. The answer is quite simple. To access our e-newsletters archives, published since January 1, 2009 click here

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Access hundreds of MS Organizations and MS Bloggers via our MS Blog.

Familiarize yourself with our MS blog by clicking this link: http://wwwmsviewsandrelatednews.blogspot.com

Bookmark or save it to your favorites for easier access.

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Here too is easy access to The National MS Society and the MS Foundation

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Use our web resources section on this website or our shared websites and links found on our blog to contact others from around the world.

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''MS Views and News" believes that knowledge is Power, which is why we strive to provide education materials about MS that affect the patient, caregiver and others with interest in MS

Learning all you can about MS will help you better evaluate your options for managing symptoms, treatments, coordination with your health care team, and living well with your MS.

In What we know about MS, you can explore:

• What is MS?
• What causes MS?
• Who gets MS?
• Symptoms of MS
• Diagnosing MS
• Treatments
• FAQs about MS
• A glossary of MS terminology

What about the MS I live with?

MS affects each person differently so understanding the basics about MS is just the first step in learning how to live your life well with your MS.

Whether you have a confirmed diagnosis of MS or are still waiting to find out what your diagnosis might be, you can read about the challenges and opportunities related to each of the different courses and stages of MS:

• Possible MS
• Newly Diagnosed
• Relapsing MS
• Progressive MS
• Advanced MS
• Pediatric MS

Source for the information found here, is the National MS Society

Updated January 7, 2010

Summary: Recent reports are calling attention to the idea that a phenomenon called CCSVI, a reported abnormality in blood drainage from the brain and spinal cord, may contribute to nervous system damage in MS. This hypothesis has been put forth by Dr. Paulo Zamboni from the University of Ferrara in Italy. Based on the results of his initial preliminary findings, Dr. Zamboni states that this pilot study warrants a subsequent larger and better controlled study to definitively evaluate the possible impact of CCSVI on the disease process in MS..

It has been proposed by Dr. Zamboni, but not yet proven, that CCSVI may be corrected through endovascular surgery, which involves inserting a tiny balloon or stent into blocked veins in order to permit the flow of blood out of the brain and spinal cord, a procedure that has been called “liberation therapy” in some reports..

UPDATE: The National MS Society is undertaking the funding of new research on CCSVI in MS and has invited investigators worldwide to apply for grants that would explore this lead. In response to a January 6 deadline, the National MS Society and the MS Society of Canada received numerous letters of intent from investigators from seven countries. These letters of intent, which briefly describe the proposed research, will be reviewed and those that meet grant guidelines will be invited to submit full research proposals..

CCSVI Research Funding Timeline
January 12, 2010 – Investigators whose letter of intent meet guidelines are invited to submit full research proposals with a deadline of February 9, 2010. 
May 2010 – International panel of experts conducts an expedited review of all applications received through this special request for applications. 
June 2010 – Funding decisions announced.
July 1, 2010 – Anticipated start date for funding of any successful research applications..

The applications will undergo an accelerated review process by an international panel being convened in cooperation with other MS Societies to ensure an expedited, coordinated response. If this hypothesis is confirmed, it may open up new research avenues into the underlying pathology of MS and new treatment approaches to therapy..

Continue reading this article and learn more of  the Frequently Asked Questions About CCSVI and MS by clicking here, to be re-directed to the National MS Society website.

Source: Buffalo Edu News

Release Date: November 16, 2009

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Magnetic resonance images (MRI) of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in childhood show that pediatric onset multiple sclerosis is more aggressive, and causes more brain lesions, than MS diagnosed in adulthood, researchers at the University at Buffalo have reported.

Interestingly, however, patients with pediatric-onset MS -- which comprise up to 5 percent of total MS cases -- develop disabilities at a slower pace than patients with adult-onset MS, the data showed.

"Patients with pediatric-onset MS have three times as many relapses annually than patients with adult-onset disease, which suggests there is greater disease activity in this population," said Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, MD, associate professor of neurology in the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and corresponding author.

» Read More

The following official websites of various MS organizations provide information, education, and support to individuals with, or affected by Multiple Sclerosis (those affected include the patient, caregiver, family, friends, colleagues, health care providers and other persons with interest). Topics include MS research, disease treatments, symptom management, MS center locations, additional resources, and social/community support.

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Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC)
www.mscare.org or www.narcoms.org

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Multiple Sclerosis Foundation

http://www.msfocus.org

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National Multiple Sclerosis Society

http://www.nmss.org

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The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre -UK

Can Do MS

http://www.candoms.org

(formerly the Heuga Ctr)

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Stuart's Library of MS Archives