Latest Conference Coverage

Designing an MS Clinical Trial Focused on Minority Populations: Mitzi Joi Williams, MD

Outlining the development of the CHIMES trial in multiple sclerosis, the founder and CEO of Joi Life Wellness Group Multiple Sclerosis Center spoke on tactics to get underrepresented populations involved. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

Developing the CHIMES Trial for Minority Patients With MS: Mitzi Joi Williams, MD

The founder and CEO of Joi Life Wellness Group Multiple Sclerosis Center outlined the motivations behind the trial, as well as potential reasons for underrepresentation. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

Takeaways for MS Clinicians on COVID-19 Vaccination: Amit Bar-OR, MD, FRCPC, FAAN, FANA

The chief of the Multiple Sclerosis Division, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania emphasized current recommendations, which suggest patients with MS get vaccinated for COVID-19. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Greatest Recent Advancements in MS, Looking Toward the Future: Ilya Kister, MD

The professor of neurology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine provided his thoughts on the most notable strides within the multiple sclerosis field in the past year. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Quality of Life Improvements in MS Following Wellness Program: Brian Hutchinson, PT, MSCS

The director of the Multiple Sclerosis Achievement Center in Sacramento discussed 3-year data from an assessment of the program, outlining key findings and future research efforts. [WATCH TIME: 6 minutes]

Incorporating Telehealth Into the MS Care Model: Marisa McGinley, DO

The staff neurologist at the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research at Cleveland Clinic shared her perspective on the use of telemedicine in MS care, what challenges it can address, and the need to optimize its use. [WATCH TIME: 6 minutes]

COVID-19 Vaccinations and Multiple Sclerosis DMTs: Amit Bar-Or, MD, FRCPC, FAAN, FANA

The chief of the Multiple Sclerosis Division at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, discussed recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination in this patient population, specifically for those on disease-modifying therapies. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

Evaluating Nutritional Health and Care for Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Mona Bostick, RDN, LDN, MSCS, gave her perspective on nutrition in MS, popular elimination diets, and the role registered dietitians can play in the multidisciplinary care model.

Physical, Cognitive, and Social Programs for Patients With MS: Brian Hutchinson, PT, MSCS

The director of the Multiple Sclerosis Achievement Center outlined the design of the wellness programs, which are held in 2 different formats. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Discussing COVID-19 Vaccinations and Disease-Modifying Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis

Amit Bar-Or, MD, FRCPC, FAAN, FANA, commented on his presentations at CMSC 2021, one of which focused on COVID-19 vaccination, which experts do not believe poses risks for those on disease-modifying therapies.

Discontinuing Disease-Modifying Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis: Deborah Miller, PhD

The staff member at the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis discussed reasons why patients may stop treatment, as well as strategies for maintaining communication with the healthcare team in the event of discontinuation. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Wellness Programs in Multiple Sclerosis Elicit ‘Stepwise’ Changes

Brian Hutchinson, PT, MSCS, commented on the Multiple Sclerosis Achievement Center program, which includes patient data spanning a 3-year period.

Talking Transitional Readiness for Teens With Multiple Sclerosis: Vikram Bhise, MD

The associate professor of pediatrics and neurology at Rutgers–Robert Wood Johnson Medical School commented on the need to recognize when adolescent patients are ready to learn more about their condition. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Clinicians’ Role in Ensuring Transitional Readiness in Pediatric MS

Vikram Bhise, MD, outlined useful questions to include in conversation when discussing the transition to adulthood for patients with pediatric multiple sclerosis.

Common Themes and Conversational Strategies for Pediatric MS Care Transition

Vikram Bhise, MD, discussed findings recently presented at CMSC 2021, where teenagers with multiple sclerosis were interviewed to identify perceptions of QOL during the transition to adulthood.

Dietitians and the Multidisciplinary MS Care Tea m: Mona Bostick, RDN, LDN, MSCS

The founder of Food Matters 365, in Greensboro, North Carolina, commented on the benefits of adding a dietitian to the healthcare team for patients with multiple sclerosis. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Transition Readiness, Quality of Life in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis: Vikram Bhise, MD

The associate professor of pediatrics and neurology at Rutgers–Robert Wood Johnson Medical School discussed findings from a qualitative study that aimed at understanding priorities and concerns within this patient population during a transitional period.

Diet and Comorbidities in Multiple Sclerosis: Mona Bostick, RDN, LDN, MSCS

The registered dietitian at Food Matters 365 in Greensboro, North Carolina, discussed the role nutrition can play in treating comorbidities, sharing her thoughts on popular elimination diets. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

Addressing and Assessing Fatigue in MS From a Multidisciplinary Approach

Anna Kratz, PhD, associate professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and a research nonclinical psychologist, University of Michigan Medicine, offered insight into the multidisciplinary approach to managing fatigue for patients with multiple sclerosis.

Better COVID-19 Outcomes in MOGAD Than NMOSD, Registry Data Show

Data presented at CMSC 2021 suggest worse COVID-19 outcomes were associated with patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and other comorbidities.

Daily Spasticity Burden Represents Great Challenge for Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

In total, 72% of responders reported spasticity as a top 5 most problematic symptom, with 17% ranking it as the single most difficult symptom of MS to manage.

Promising Neuroimaging Biomarkers for Multiple Sclerosis: David Li, MD, FRCPC

The director of the Multiple Sclerosis/MRI Research Group at the University of British Columbia spoke to some of the newer biomarkers and measures being assessed in the clinical management of multiple sclerosis. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Community Q&A: Ellen Mowry, MD, on the TREAT-MS Trial

The director of the Multiple Sclerosis Experimental Therapeutics Program at Johns Hopkins Medicine offered insight on the TREAT-MS trial to attendees of the CMSC 2021 annual meeting.

North American, European Registry Data Show Impact of COVID-19 in Multiple Sclerosis

Data further investigated the impact of how individual disease-modifying therapies affect outcomes for this patient population.

Effects of Swank, Wahls Diets in Multiple Sclerosis: Tyler Titcomb, PhD, RDN, IFMCP

The post-doctoral scholar at the University of Iowa outlined his presentation at CMSC 2021 which focused on the use of elimination diets to improve symptoms of MS. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

Inadequate Medical Information Available Regarding Cannabis Use in MS

All told, 48% of patients with MS reported that their most common primary person for guidance on cannabis use in MS was themself or no one, followed by a dispensary professional and MS physician.

Multiple Sclerosis MRI Protocol Card: David Li, MD, FRCPC

The director of the Multiple Sclerosis/MRI Research Group at the University of British Columbia spoke to the portable Standardized MRI Protocol card that is being distributed in an effort to better inform the community to follow the newly published guidelines. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

Induction vs Escalation for MS: Should Patients Be Started on High-Efficacy DMT?

In the presidential lecture series at CMSC 2021, Ellen M. Mowry, MD, called into question whether or not the induction treatment approach in multiple sclerosis does in fact present a higher chance of preventing long-term disability.

Optimized Conversations Suggested to Improve Patient Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis

Investigators provided 4 strategies for health care providers to implement when speaking to patients with MS, in an effort to improve communication between both parties.

Ocrelizumab Shows Similar Safety Among Older, More Disabled Patients With MS

Real-world data from a single-center study with more than 4 years of follow-up showed similar rates of moderate infections and malignancies to the general population with multiple sclerosis.