Multiple sclerosis news

The MS secret that sparked a movement
"It’s not the cards you’re dealt that matters, it’s how you play them that counts.” For Jessie Ace, this is a mantra that inspires her every day. It has helped her overcome her career dreams and confidence being shattered by her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis, and underpins the positivity that now enables her to inspire so many others with chronic illness around the world.
Drug decision boosts Scotland’s MS options
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted fampridine (Fampyra) for MS patients. The medicine, produced by Biogen Inc, is available to people scoring 4-7 on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Scotland is the second UK nation to offer this treatment on the NHS following a decision in Wales to make fampridine available on the NHS for adults with MS.
Short term gains of brain training in MS
Around half of all people with MS have difficulties at some time with aspects of thinking such as memory, concentration or problem solving, known as cognitive problems. In this study, (Lincoln, Bradshaw, Constantinescu et al, 2020) a programme designed to improve cognitive skills (CRAMMS) was tested in a large clinical trial. A total of 449 people were recruited from five MS centres in England. Just over half were assigned to the cognitive rehabilitation programme (CR group) and the remaining 204 received standard advice on how to manage cognitive difficulties from an MS nurse or occupational therapist (SA group).
MS challenge back for 2020
Miles for MS is the MS Trust’s accessible distance challenge which takes place throughout May. Participants set their own distance challenge to complete over the course of the month, track their distance and collect sponsorship as they go. In a recent survey, the MS Trust asked some of its 2019 Miles for MS participants what they gained from taking part in the event. Most (91 per cent) of those who took part in the survey said they “intend to exercise more as a result of taking part in Miles for MS”.
Treatment boost for MS patients in Scotland
Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) has become the first treatment for primary proressive MS to be approved in Scotland – following its approval in England last year. The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has given the green light for the drug to be prescribed by the NHS for people with early inflammatory primary progressive MS. As reported by the MS Trust, this includes patients with:
Symptoms of primary progressive MS for less than 15 years and
An ability to walk at least 20 metres, with or without walking aids and
Evidence of MS inflammatory activity on MRI scans.
MS Trust CEO David Martin said: “The MS Trust is delighted that Ocrevus has been approved for primary progressive MS. As the first approved treatment for progressive MS in Scotland, this is a landmark decision. But we know this is just the start.
Chance to influence MS drug appraisal decision
Siponimod, a tablet taken once daily to treat secondary progressive MS (SPMS), is currently under investigation by NICE to assess whether it should be available via an NHS prescription in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland will carry out separate appraisals. National charity the MS Trust plans to make a compelling case to NICE in favour of the drug being available on the NHS – and needs input from people with MS and those who work with MS patients.
MS register gets £1m funding boost
The UK MS Register, based at Swansea University, was established in 2011 as the first nationwide register of its kind. It seeks to gather information from people with MS about what it’s like to live day-to-day with the condition. This information provides rich, anonymised data for the purposes of medical research, which could unlock some of the mysteries behind the disease.