Recent breakthroughs in MS research are deepening our understanding of this complex and unpredictable disease. Scientists are uncovering key insights into how MS develops and progresses, offering new ways to address its challenges. These advancements are not only improving quality of life for people living with MS but also fueling hope for more effective treatments to better manage the disease. Explore some exciting new advancements in MS research below!
The Path to an MS Diagnosis
Can AI help doctors interpret MRI scans more accurately?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an important tool for tracking MS progression and guiding treatment decisions. Researchers in Australia have found that AI may improve the interpretation of these scans. Their study showed that AI was more effective than routine MRI reports in detecting new or growing lesions and brain volume loss, offering a more precise way to monitor changes in MS.
What is AI? Artificial intelligence (AI) uses computers to perform tasks that usually require human intelligence. This includes things like recognizing patterns, making decisions, and solving problems. It can analyze large amounts of data, spotting patterns and details that people might miss, and it does this faster and more reliably.
Late MS diagnosis linked to faster progression
A Turkish research team analyzed data from 658 people with MS and found that those diagnosed at age 55 or older experienced greater disability, poorer lower-body function, and were more likely to need advanced treatments compared to those diagnosed at a younger age. They concluded that individuals with late-onset MS require more careful attention from doctors when evaluating and selecting treatments, though they stressed that these findings should be confirmed in a larger study.
Hope for MS Treatment
Promising results with Tecfidera
A final analysis from the Phase 4 ESTEEM clinical trial, which tracked over 5,100 MS patients, confirmed that most patients on Tecfidera remained free from disability progression for years, with relapse rates dropping by 90%. After six years, 87% of patients experienced no sustained disability progression, with about 16.7% showing improvement in their symptoms. The treatment also demonstrated no unexpected safety concerns. The data underscores Tecfidera’s effectiveness and safety as a treatment option for relapsing MS.
Tecfidera has been approved in the U.S. for over a decade as a treatment for relapsing forms of MS. It is believed to work by modulating immune cell activity to reduce inflammation in the brain and spinal cord.
A Closer Look at MS Progression
Inflammation fuels MS
Research shows that inflammation outside the brain, caused by factors like infections, smoking, and obesity, may contribute to MS progression. Investigators in the United Kingdom studied 50 people with progressive MS over two and a half years, analyzing weekly urine samples to detect infection-related inflammation. They found a link between infection-induced inflammation and nerve cell loss in the spinal cord. This highlights the importance of early treatment for infections, vaccinations, and addressing urinary symptoms with healthcare professionals. These findings could pave the way for new treatments to slow MS progression. For example, the brain and spinal cord are usually protected from external inflammation in the body. Researchers can now investigate why this barrier breaks down and explore ways to prevent it.
Can moderate drinking reduce MS progression?
A Swedish study of over 9,000 people with MS found that low to moderate alcohol consumption was linked to a reduced risk of physical worsening compared to not drinking. Participants were divided into four groups: non-drinkers, low, moderate, and high alcohol consumption. The study tracked participants for up to 15 years, using disability scales to monitor MS progression. The reduced risk of worsening was seen only in those with relapsing-remitting MS and was more noticeable in women than men. High alcohol consumption did not show a significant effect on disease progression. This study’s findings are interesting, but given conflicting previous research and alcohol’s negative health effects, they shouldn’t encourage more drinking.
The impact of cardiovascular disease on MS
A recent study found that MS and cardiovascular disease often co-exist, leading to faster MS disability progression. Researchers at the University at Buffalo tracked 276 people with MS over an average of 14.9 years. Those with cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and heart disease, experienced disability progression 2.5 years earlier than those without it. These results were statistically significant and highlight the importance of maintaining good heart health as a key strategy for managing MS and slowing disability progression.
Understanding MS in Children
A new study confirms that children and adolescents may experience a prodromal period of early MS symptoms, such as sensory disturbances and vision problems, in the five years leading up to diagnosis. Pediatric patients with MS were more likely to have these symptoms than children without MS or those with other autoimmune diseases. While a prodromal period has been well-documented in adults, this study is one of the first to suggest it may also occur in younger patients. Understanding these early signs could lead to earlier diagnoses and better long-term outcomes.
A prodromal period refers to the early phase of a disease, during which non-specific symptoms or signs appear before the main, more obvious symptoms develop. These early signs can be subtle and often don’t clearly point to the condition, but recognizing them may help in diagnosing the disease earlier.
MS Through Her Eyes
MS and contraceptives
A 2024 study analyzing health records of over 4,400 women found no link between oral contraceptive use and the development of MS. Researchers reviewed long-term data from primary care clinics in London, comparing contraceptive use in 891 women diagnosed with MS to 3,564 controls. They assessed exposure to combined estrogen-progesterone or progesterone-only pills at various time intervals before diagnosis and found no association. While previous studies reported mixed results, this large, population-based study provides reassurance that oral contraceptives do not appear to influence MS risk.
Safe choices for moms
An analysis of over 3,000 pregnancies found that most MS disease modifying therapies (DMTs) do not increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defects. However, some may be linked to low birth weight, particularly S1P modulators (Gilenya, Mayzent, Ponvory, or Zeposia), anti-CD20 antibodies (Ocrevus, Kesimpta, or Briumvi), and Tysabri. Serious infections were rare, and overall, DMT use didn’t lead to major complications. The researchers state that while these results could help people with MS make decisions about using DMTs during pregnancy, the results aren’t conclusive due to limited data for each specific treatment.
Advances in MS research bring new hope for those affected by the disease, highlighting promising treatments, early diagnostic tools, and lifestyle factors that can help manage MS. ACP plays a vital role in this progress by facilitating innovative research that directly impacts people living with MS. Through its collaborative, people-centered approach, ACP empowers individuals to contribute to studies that advance scientific understanding, develop new treatments, and improve overall quality of life. One key initiative, iConquerMS, amplifies this effort by giving people living with MS a direct voice in shaping research priorities, ensuring that studies align with the needs of the MS community. By continuing to support and amplify such research efforts, ACP is helping to shape a future where MS can be more effectively managed, and ultimately, cured.
