Penn State: Internet-based therapy may help depression in people with multiple sclerosis

Penn State: Internet-based therapy may help depression in people with multiple sclerosis. “Major depressive disorder affects up to 50% of all individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) at some point during their lifetime and can lead to lower quality of life, greater disease progression and higher mortality. Patients enrolled in a phase 3 trial of an internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy program modified specifically for MS showed a large drop in depressive symptoms compared to a control group. The online program may offer an effective and easily accessible way to manage depression and lead to better quality of life for persons with MS, according to an international team of researchers.”

Managed Healthcare Executive: Smartphone Tapping Speed New Tool in Assessing MS, Study Finds

Managed Healthcare Executive: Smartphone Tapping Speed New Tool in Assessing MS, Study Finds. “How quickly individuals can tap on a smartphone keyboard may be a useful tool for monitoring multiple sclerosis (MS) severity and determining progression of the disease. Juan Luis Chico-Garcia, M.D., with the Hospital Ramon y Cajal, Neurology in Madrid, Spain, presented the research at the 38th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), October 26–28 in Amsterdam and virtually.”

University of Sydney: World-first multiple sclerosis global image database launched

University of Sydney: World-first multiple sclerosis global image database launched. “The new MSBase Imaging Repository (MSBIR) integrates state-of-the-art informatics with an AI analytics engine, fostering a new generation of imaging biomarkers for precision monitoring of MS. It is designed to securely house raw de-identified imaging data for MS patients from multiple sites globally that can be accessed by registered contributing research groups, bringing capacity and scalability to clinical MS imaging research.”

EurekAlert: New antibody technology for monitoring MS patients may have potential in COVID-19 testing

EurekAlert: New antibody technology for monitoring MS patients may have potential in COVID-19 testing. “A new study led by Queen Mary University of London has demonstrated the effectiveness of using a novel light technology to monitor the presence of anti-drug antibodies in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), which can lead to drug resistance and treatment failure. The researchers say that they have also applied the technology to COVID-19 for potential use in antibody testing to determine whether someone has previously been infected with the virus.”

Multiple Sclerosis News Today: New Database to Compile COVID-19 Data About People with MS and Related Diseases

Multiple Sclerosis News Today: New Database to Compile COVID-19 Data About People with MS and Related Diseases. “The database, called COViMS (COVID-19 Infections in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Diseases), will record information on people in North America with MS and other demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system — namely neuromyelitis optica and MOG antibody disease — and who develop COVID-19. There has hitherto been no such database for this purpose.”

Database of MS Clinical Trial Information

A new database of multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical data is now available. “A new database containing nearly 2500 patient records from the placebo arms of nine multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical trials is now available for research by qualified investigators. A review board will screen requests for access to the MS placebo arm database, using the process established for another successful C-Path effort in sharing placebo data, namely, the Alzheimer’s disease database….”