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Learning More About MS
Issue: #2October 2011

Study Reveals Genes Associated with MS

The genetic risk of MS has been further studied in a recent report in the Journal, Nature. Genes were studied in from 9.772 MS cases by researchers from 23 research groups from 15 countries. This study brings to 59 the number of genes linked to MS.

 

Follow link for the complete study in the journal Nature.  

 

This study has several lessons for MS. First, MS is not an inherited disease. There is an increased risk of MS in relatives of MS patients, but this risk is small. For example if a parent has MS, the risk of MS in a son is about 1% and a daughter 5%. Most of the risk of getting MS is not due to genetic risk. Second, the genes that were identified account for only a small part of the risk of getting the disease. Each of these genes accounts for less than 1% of the risk, with the exception of one gene named HLA DR2 that accounts for 4% of the risk. Even combining of all of the genes accounts for only a small portion of the risk. Third, the most important finding of this study was that all of the genes were related to control of immune system function. No other types of genes were related to MS such as metabolic pathways, pathways involved in degeneration, vascular pathways, etc. This suggests that the cause of MS is likely related to immune system function and that we should continue to concentrate on immune system research.

 

Multiple Sclerosis News Digest

FDA Approves Bladder Medication  

The FDA approved the use of Botox to treat certain types of bladder dysfunction. This treatment provides additional help for patients with bladder spasms due to MS. It is especially useful for those who fail oral medications for this symptom. Link

ECTRIMS

The European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis will be held in Amsterdam October 19-22, 2011. Results from several major studies are expected to be released at this meeting. Several members of the MS Center at Swedish will be in attendance.

 

MS Center Road Show

The MS Center, together with the National MS Society, will be hosting a "MS Road Show" on Saturday, October 15, 2011 from 12:45 - 5:00 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel in Yakima, WA.

 

Presentations will include a two lectures:

MS 101 by Dr. Angeli Mayadev

Update on MS Research by Dr. James Bowen.

 

This will be followed by two workshop sessions, one hour each. Two workshops will be held during each session:

Exercise and MS / Mood and Sleep Management

Sex and Intimacy / Social Security and Vocational Issues

 

Register through the National MS Society by calling 1-800-344-4867 and press 1.

or www.MSNorthwest.org and visit the Chapter Calendar.

 

Future programs are planned in the following communities:

February 2012: Olympia, WA

April 2012: Seattle, WA

June 2012: Mt. Vernon, WA

September 2012: Port Angeles, WA

 

Research Study of the Month

New MRI technique studied

 

The MS Center and our partners at the University of Washington are studying a new MRI technique in MS patients. This technique is called cross-relaxation imaging. It is able to estimate the health of myelin for the entire brain. Patients participating in this study undergo an MRI scan. The results from the scan will be compared to their type of MS and their physical function. The MRI scan is paid for by the research study and patients are paid a small stipend for their time. At this point the study is concentrating on those with secondary progressive MS.

 

Patients interested in any of our research studies can contact the main clinic number at (206) 320-2200 and ask to be connected to the research department.

 

New MS Center Moves Forward  

Swedish gym rendering
Our new MS Center's 11,700 square foot facility will be accepting construction bids during October with construction expected to begin in November 2011. We are on track to move into the new facility in the Spring of 2012. This facility will provide the latest medical treatments, and an expanded gym with more equipment to meet the exercise needs of MS patients. You can support the new center by making a gift to help people living with MS in the Puget Soundregion. To support the expanded MS Center, contact Kate Purcell, Director, Major Gifts, Direct line: 206-386-3194; Email: kate.purcell@swedish.org