ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science

The worst of multiple sclerosis can be avoided or delayed with early treatment

The study is the first to provide evidence that currently-available treatments can delay the progress of MS.

Alexandru MicubyAlexandru Micu
January 18, 2019 - Updated on January 19, 2019
in Biology, Health, Mind & Brain, Neurology, News, Science
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

Against multiple sclerosis, early treatment is key.

MS army photo.
Image credits U.S. Air Force / Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes.

A new study led by researchers from the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the University of Melbourne found that early treatment — particularly within five years of onset — is effective in delaying the progress of multiple sclerosis (MS). Such measures can delay progress to the second stage of the disease, which is characterized by progressive levels of physical and mental disability.

The study is the first to provide evidence that currently-available treatments can delay the progress of MS.

Preventive measures

The study used data from 1555 patients from 68 neurological clinics across 21 countries. Tomas Kalincik, Associate professor at the University of Melbourne and study co-lead author, says that the findings showcase how important proactive treatment is in dealing with MS. The research focused on patients with relapsing-remitting MS commencing or clinical monitoring between 1988-2012 with minimum 4 years’ follow-up.

“People who converted from relapsing MS to secondary progressive MS experience gradual and mostly irreversible worsening of disability,” he explained.

“Most of the therapies that we use to treat MS have no effect once people have converted to secondary progressive MS.”

Currently, more than 23,000 Australians are living with MS, the paper explains. The conversion to the secondary progressive stage of MS is characterized by worsening of physical and mental capacity. The team, therefore, argues that preventive treatment is a very powerful tool in improving the quality of life for MS patients.

“This study shows that the therapies they have been treated with for many years, significantly improve the quality of their lives over the long-term,” Kalincik said.

Patients included in the study that underwent “initial treatment with fingolimod, natalizumab, or alemtuzumab” had a reduced risk of developing second-stage MS over a 5-year period. All drugs studied here showed different results, although all were effective. For example, patients initially treated with glatiramer acetate or interferon beta had a 12% chance of conversion to secondary MS, compared to 27% for the control group. Early fingolimod treatment reduced this risk to 7% compared to 32% for controls, and natalizumab to 19% compared to 38% for controls.

Kalincik said he hopes the results will reassure both neurologists and patients with MS that the disease can be managed, and the worst of it avoided — if treatment is started in time. The findings should also help point to the optimal path for treatment, the study adds.

RelatedPosts

Our brains don’t pick the shortest route between two points — they pick ‘the pointiest’ one
Rainforest plant may treat pancreatic cancer through ‘antiausterity’ properties
COVID-19 may cause brain fog by forming ‘zombie’ cells. Scientists found drugs that may reverse it
Telepathy achieved – two human brains linked in complex experiment

The paper “Association of Initial Disease-Modifying Therapy With Later Conversion to Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis” has been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Tags: brainMultiplesclerosistreatment

Share18TweetShare
Alexandru Micu

Alexandru Micu

Stunningly charming pun connoisseur, I have been fascinated by the world around me since I first laid eyes on it. Always curious, I'm just having a little fun with some very serious science.

Related Posts

Home science

What side do cats prefer to sleep on? The left side, and there’s a good reason for that

byMihai Andrei
7 days ago
Close-up photo of a tiny wasp.
Animals

Wasp Mums Keep Remarkable Mental To-Do List For Multiple Nests Despite Tiny Brain

byRupendra Brahambhatt
1 week ago
Mind & Brain

Your Brain Uses Only 5% More Energy Whether You’re Actively Thinking or Not. So, What Causes Mental Fatigue?

byTibi Puiu
3 weeks ago
Future

Can you upload a human mind into a computer? Here’s what a neuroscientist has to say about it

byDobromir Rahnev
1 month ago

Recent news

Your gut has a secret weapon against ‘forever chemicals’: microbes

July 3, 2025

High IQ People Are Strikingly Better at Forecasting the Future

July 3, 2025

Newborns Feel Pain Long Before They Can Understand It

July 3, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.