Free NYC MS Symposium This Sunday

[KyleW]

This Sunday there will be a free "Healing MS Symposium at the NY Hilton. It is sponsored by The Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of New York.

"This free educational symposium is open to all people with MS as well as their caregivers. Presenters will discuss how to apply the latest developments in research to proactive MS care."

For more info and registration you can go here: http://www.msinfocus.org/

I'm going :-)

[KyleW]

Recap

The turn out was impressive, given the October blizzard the day before. There were speakers that addressed all aspects of MS management.

The topics included Pre-habilitation PT, what can we do to prevent issues from surfacing. There was also a presentation from a Naturopathic Doc concerning how things like diet and supplements can help mitigate MS. A neuro-psychologist spoke about how we might address cognitive issues related to MS, including base line evaluations and 'exercises' that can be helpful, like crossword puzzles

Lastly there was an update of the ongoing research at Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of New York. A summary of this appears below.


Identifying the cause of MS:
We are working to understand the mechanism that triggers the inflammatory autoimmune response in MS patients. One study is examining the possible role of the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and how it may interact with genetic susceptibility genes leading to immune abnormalities. We are also investigating the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) to find unique determinants that may explain why this form of the disease primarily affects the spinal cord.

Understanding the mechanisms of the disease and its progression
MSRCNY researchers are studying a variety of factors possibly related to the progression of MS including:
A study of three proteins found in CSF and their possible role as bio markers of disease activity and / or progression.
Comparing CSF from patients with the most benign form of MS with CSF of patients with severe treatment-unresponsive disease. This study seeks to find biochemical differences that may help explain disease worsening.
Examining mitochondria - the energy producing structures in human cells - and their function in patients suffering with MS-related fatigue.

Studying environmental factors related to MS and examining the disease related effects of Curcumin, Vitamin D, Estriol and Testoterone.
Conducting CSF and serum studies designed to establish a series of biochemical criteria to accurately reflect inflammatory disease activity (Activation Panel) as well as criteria that will be markers of the pace of degenerative disease (Degeneration Panel).

Examining New Treatment Strategies
Utilizing the research center's unique CSF data base, our clinical researchers are examining, at the molecular level, the effects of a variety of drug therapies on disease activity and progression. The study seeks to develop specific understanding of how these drugs alter the course of the disease for patients manifesting different symptoms.

In a manner similar to allergy tolerance therapy, our new Tolerance Study uses individual patients' immunological make-up to induce tolerance to disease triggering antigens, thus reducing autoimmunity.

Neural cell repair and regeneration studies:
This project is perfecting a treatment using the patient's own adult stem cells to regenerate nerve cells, enabling normal myelin repair that will help patients recover lost functions. This research is awaiting approval by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for a Phase I Human Study.
We are also studying the use of embryonic stem cells and umbilical cord blood stem cells which are more flexible and adaptable than adult bone marrow stem cells as agents of neural regeneration.

Adult Stem Cell Neural Repair and Regeneration:
Under the supervision of Saud A. Sadiq, MD, Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of New York and Senior Research Scientist, the Adult Stem Cells Neural Regeneration Project is perfecting a process for replacing damaged nerve tissue. We have shown that adult stem cells derived from the patient's own bone marrow can develop into brain cells such as neurons, glial cells that support brain architecture or myelin producing cells.

We also have preliminary evidence that neural stem cells can be transferred back into patients' spinal fluid, where they initiate repair of damaged tissue. In short, by providing new tissue to replace tissue damaged by the disease, this process has the potential to serve as a remedy for Multiple Sclerosis.

This process has the potential to alter the course of MS treatment and may also be applicable to a range of other neurological diseases, in addition to MS, such as cerebral palsy, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) and traumatic brain and spinal cord disease.