Latest Conference Coverage

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.

Ocrelizumab Has Long-Term, Positive Effects on MS Symptoms, Productivity

The results demonstrate a positive change in patients with previous disease-modifying drug failures.

Quality of Life Improved Significantly Following Wellness Program for Multiple Sclerosis

Patient data were evaluated over a 3-year period, with analyses from baseline, year 1, and year 2 presented at previous CMSC meetings.

Swank, Wahls Diets May Reduce Fatigue and Cognitive Dysfunction in MS

Both diets resulted in patients with MS reporting significant changes on Perceived Deficits Questionnaire scores for fatigue and cognitive dysfunction after 12 weeks of intervention.

ECTRIMS 2021: Key Takeaways, Data Highlights, and Ongoing Research

The NeurologyLive staff compiled highlights from our discussions with experts in one convenient location, following ECTRIMS 2021.

Telehealth and Integrative Medicine for Multiple Sclerosis: Megan Weigel, DNP, APRN-C, APHN-C, MSCN

Discussing a 6-week, virtual program conducted over Zoom, the founder of First Coast Integrative Medicine, spoke on the use of telehealth and future research efforts for integrative medicine in MS. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Episode 49: Altering the View of MS With a Topographical Model

"Mind Moments," a podcast from NeurologyLive, brings you an exclusive interview with Stephen Krieger, MD.

Cleveland Clinic: Institutional Perspectives in Neurology, Chaired by Devon Conway, MD

Chaired by Devon Conway, MD, the presentations also feature Cleveland Clinic experts Kedar Mahajan, MD, PhD; Marisa McGinley, DO; and Amy Kunchok, MD. [WATCH TIME: 1 hour, 33 minutes]

Discussing the Need for Patient Monitoring After Stopping Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

Deborah Miller, PhD, commented on strategies to maintain patient-provider communication following the discontinuation of disease-modifying therapies in MS.

‘Inspire MS’ and Integrative Medicine for Multiple Sclerosis: Megan Weigel, DNP, APRN-C, APHN-C, MSCN

The founder of First Coast Integrative Medicine spoke on a 6-week virtual program that introduced IM modalities, including guided journaling, nutrition, and yoga. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Long-Term Ocrelizumab, Satralizumab Data Offer Insights into MS and NMOSD Care

Ashish Pradhan, MD, the executive director and disease area lead for MS and NMOSD, Genentech, offered insight on a number of presentations at the 2021 ECTRIMS Congress.

Advances in MS Treatment, ECTRIMS 2021 Takeaways: Lawrence Steinman, MD

Discussing this year’s virtual ECTRIMS conference, the Zimmermann Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, and Pediatrics at Stanford University provided his opinion on recent developments in the MS field. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Impact of Ublituximab for Patients With Relapsing MS: Lawrence Steinman, MD

The Zimmermann Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, and Pediatrics at Stanford University discussed the treatment’s potential in the multiple sclerosis space, where there are other competing drugs with similar safety profiles. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

The Value of Integrative Medicine Approaches for Multiple Sclerosis

Megan Weigel, DNP, APRN-C, APHN-C, MSCN, discussed findings from a study of integrative medicine via a virtual, 6-week workshop, which produced varied results.

Treating the Root of Multiple Sclerosis With ATA188: Bridget A. Bagert, MD, MPH

After showing potential remyelination effects, the director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Ochsner Health offered her perspective on the latest data for ATA188 in progressive MS. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Assessing Antibody, Cellular Response to COVID-19 Vaccines in Ocrelizumab-Treated Patients: Ilya Kister, MD

The professor of neurology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine discussed the trial design of VIOLA, a new prospective study evaluating responses to COVID-19 vaccines in patients with MS on ocrelizumab (Ocrevus; Genentech). [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Epidemiologic and Clinical Highlights in MS Care From ECTRIMS 2021

In the final day’s plenary session at ECTRIMS Congress, Ruth Ann Marrie, MD, PhD, FRCPC, FCAHS, gave a look into some of the notable presentations from the annual meeting.

Eculizumab Shows Better Prolonging of Time to NMOSD Relapse Than Other Treatments

An indirect comparison study evaluated relative treatment effects of eculizumab (Soliris; Alexion), inebilizumab (Uplizna; Horizon), and satralizumab (Enspryng; Genentech), the 3 FDA-approved options for NMOSD.