University of Central Florida receives $1.9M for MS research

A National Institutes of Health grant will help University of Central Florida researchers explore new ways to potentially reverse the damage caused by multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders.

Stephen Lambert, an associate professor in the College of Medicine and a member of UCF’s Hybrid Systems Laboratory, has received $428,000, the first installment of a four-year, $1.9 million project. His team will study the breakdown of myelin, a substance that coats and protects nerves inside the brain and spinal cord, enabling electrical signals to reach distant nerve cells and muscles.

About 400,000 Americans and about 2.5 million people worldwide suffer from MS, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The drugs that are available now focus mainly on controlling the inflammatory nature of the diseases to limit the development of neuronal damage. They do not reverse the damage caused by the diseases.

“The process of myelination is extremely complex. By reproducing these complex phenomena in our laboratories, we can learn more about what causes debilitating diseases that affect so many people around the world,” Lambert said. “We hope our research will ultimately lead to new drugs that reverse the damage caused by these diseases and help patients lead longer, healthier lives.”

Most of the research will take place in the Hybrid Systems Lab in UCF’s NanoScience Technology Center. At the center, a research team led by UCF bioengineer James Hickman showed for the first time last year that specialized myelin coating could be produced in the lab environment without the use of any type of growth serum.

The finding is significant because it allows researchers to more clearly study the causes of breaks in myelin and also the impact of proposed chemical treatments. Both could potentially lead to a greater understanding of the causes of neurological disorders such as MS and diabetes-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Hickman’s previous work focused on cells in the peripheral nervous system and the nerves that connect the body’s limbs and organs to the brain. The new research will, for the first time, explore the breakdown of myelin in the areas inside the brain and the spinal cord using nanotechnology tools.

“The application of the high-tech tools developed in my lab at the NanoScience Center to this complex problem brings us that much closer to developing new drugs and, at some stage, a cure for diseases such as MS,” Hickman said.

2010
05/11
CATEGORY
Research
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The future of stem cell research and multiple sclerosis

Yesterday Nature Reviews Neurology published an international consensus on the future of stem cell transplantation research for people with MS, paving the way for more coordinated global research efforts and potentially better, and quicker, patient access to stem cell clinical trials.

The guidelines, which have been written and approved by some of the most well respected international MS researchers, as well as MS Societies from around the world, spell out hope for the future of MS stem cell research and debunk myths about overseas stem cell clinics claiming to cure the condition.

Professor Gianvito Martino from the San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan, Italy, and Professor Robin Franklin from the University of Cambridge, UK, are lead authors for the guidelines, which:

- outline the promise stem cell transplantation has shown in early stage clinical trials and ways they could be used to treat MS in the future

- describe the different types of stem cells that might be used to treat different types of MS

- detail methods of delivering these stem cell therapies into patients

- highlight best practice in conducting clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapies in MS

A stem cell public information booklet “Stem Cell Therapies in MS” produced in partnership by MS Societies from the UK, USA, Italy, France and Australia and the MS International Federation summaries the guidelines for people affected by MS.

Researchers have agreed that stem cells are likely to have a significant role to play in the treatment of MS, but also warn that expectations should be realistic.

Professor Gianvito Martino said: “At this stage it is unreasonable to claim that stem cells are a magic cure for MS. It is, however, likely that they will one day play an important role in treating the condition.”

Professor Robin Franklin added: “It is only by working together will we get the answer as to whether stem cell transplants hold promise in the treatment of MS. The guidelines will help the research community get to that answer more quickly than we would by working in isolation.”

The guidelines are the result of an international stem cell consensus meeting held in London in May 2009 organised by the MS Society in the UK and USA, and supported by MS Society of Italy, France, Australia and the MS International Federation.

Dr Jayne Spink, Director of Policy and Research at the MS Society in the UK, said: “The MS Societies around the world are in a unique position to facilitate co-ordination and collaboration regarding international stem cell research. This should help the research to progress more quickly.”

She added: “We have coordinated the production of these guidelines along with the public information booklet to provide accurate information that should help counteract the confusion caused by unscrupulous stem cell clinics falsely marketing MS cures.”

2010
05/07
CATEGORY
Research
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First biomarker for multiple sclerosis therapy discovered

London, March 29 : Scientists have discovered the first biomarker for multiple sclerosis (MS) that might predict which patients will respond to a standard therapy and which will not.

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), along with researchers at Stanford University, found that patients with a particular type of T helper immune cells responded well to interferon-_, the usual first-line therapy for the disease, while those with a different T helper immune-cell type either did not respond or experienced worsening symptoms. Read more

2010
03/30
CATEGORY
Research
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MS Awareness Week top 7 ways to learn more – Day 7

We will round out our top 7 resources with a list of the MS Society’s around the world courtesy of WorldMSDay.org . No matter where you live there is a society of foundation near you. They can help connect you with local resources and programs. No matter the name these non-profits are there for your support. Use them, they will love to hear from you.

2010
03/14
CATEGORY
Awareness
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MS Awareness Week top 7 ways to learn more – Day 6

Sometimes all you need to to talk, vent, bitch and whine. Nobody knows about MS quite like someone else that suffers from the same disease. That is where MS Friends comes in. Ms Friends offers  24/7 telephone peer support helpline, staffed with people who have Multiple Sclerosis, a lifeline that is immediate. You can reach them at:

1-866-msfriends (1-866-673-7436)

2010
03/13
CATEGORY
Awareness
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MS Awareness Week top 7 ways to learn more – Day 5

A great way to gain additional knowledge about multiple sclerosis and the resourecs aviable to you is through programs sponsored by the pharmaceutical companies. I know, I know big pharma is the boogie man right? Not in my experience. I have yet to go to a presentation where I felt like it was a sales pitch. Rather every program has been informational and anything but a hard sell.

Each of the players in the field of MS host lunch and or dinner programs with guest speakers that may include prominent doctors in the multiple sclerosis field. They are completely free and often times include a meal which never hurts. I have attended several programs with topics ranging from drug development and the ms therapy pipeline to vitamin-d and its benefits.

You can learn more by checking out the programs and schedules online.

2010
03/12
CATEGORY
Awareness
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MS Awareness Week top 7 ways to learn more – Day 4

For more insight into MS you can check out Jim Sweeney’s My MS and ME. He is able to explain multiple sclerosis and its effects with humor and without flinching. A great program to listen to whether you are affected by MS or not. The link to listen is easy to miss. Directly under the big blue photo of Jim are links that say “Listen Now”. Or you can just link to them from here. Part One and Part Two. Read more

2010
03/11
CATEGORY
Awareness
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MS Awareness Week top 7 ways to learn more – Day 3

Just recently Biogen Idec the makers of two very popular MS medications launched a program that provides a free copy of a yoga DVD targeted at people affected by MS. The program was developed by Baron Baptiste (who has MS) and Dr. Elliot Frohman (who we have presented on our podcast recently.) The program cover all ability levels and is a great resource for anyone with MS. You can get your free copy at My MS Yoga.

2010
03/10
CATEGORY
Awareness
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MS Awareness Week top 7 ways to learn more – Day 2

When I was diagnosed in 2006 my life was turned upside down. I wanted to talk but I needed to listen. I registered at Patients Like Me and did just that, I listened. It was comforting to hear some of the exchanges between people like me. I received tips about supplements and therapies, exercise and symptom management. Some discussions were difficult for me to read because it was all so fresh in my mind. So I held off until months later when I could handle it.

The best part of this site for me is the ability to track your status. You enter you symptoms, your medications, supplements, relapses and the like. It is a great tool for getting to the honest truth about how you are doing.

I visit periodically, when I have updates or something new to share. If you have MS I encourage you to visit. Patients Like Me

2010
03/09
CATEGORY
Awareness
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MS Awareness Week top 7 ways to learn more – Day 1

March, 8-14 2010 is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness week. When I was diagnosed in 2006 I went on a research binge to find out more about MS, life with MS and resources for people affected by MS. My effort for awareness week this year is to share some of the resources that have been helpful for me and people that want to understand what MS is.

For the first in this series I want to share a short format documentary from the Community Stories Seattle podcast. My brother who lives in Seattle found this for me. It is difficult for me to watch because it hits so close to home. This is a great introductory into the world of MS and a perfect way for anyone not affected by MS to learn about MS.
Read more

2010
03/08
CATEGORY
Awareness
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