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MS Research Update |
Children decrease risk of MS:
A recent Australian study of 282 people with a first attack of demyelinating disease found that women with children had a lower risk of getting MS than women without children. The risk of getting MS for a woman with one child was half that of a woman without children. Additional children lowered the risk further; women with 4 children had only 20% of the risk of getting MS compared to childless women. There was no effect of having children on the risk of MS in men. Link to article abstract
Comments: There are many possible explanations for this finding. Hormone changes during pregnancy decrease immune system activity and the immune reaction to a number of viruses. However, these are unlikely to explain the results because the onset of MS was often years after childbirth, long after the immediate effects of pregnancy on the immune system had resolved. A more likely explanation is microchimerism. During pregnancy, the baby leaks stem cells into the mother's bloodstream. Many of these stem cells become regulatory T cells, whose function is to control the immune system. During pregnancy, these cells prevent the mother's immune system from attacking the growing baby. A small number of these cells become permanent residents of the mother's bone marrow. Having some of these cells permanently living in the mother is called microchimerism. The amount of these cells living in the mother (increased microchimerism) increases with each pregnancy. It is possible that these cells continue to exert control over the immune system, influencing the risk of MS is subsequent years. Further studies will be needed to determine if this is the explanation.
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MS Center Highlight | |
MS Walk - Join our team!
 Join or donate to the 2012 Swedish Smyelin Striders MS Center Walk team! The annual MS Walk raises awareness of multiple sclerosis in our community and also raises funds to support programs and services of the National MS Society Greater Northwest Chapter. The NMSS Greater NW Chapter serves more than 12,000 people with MS living in Alaska, Montana and Central and Western Washington. This year, the Walk will take place on Sunday, April 15 at the Alaska Airlines Stadium at University of Washington campus. Registration starts at 9am and the Walk at 10am. To join or donate to our Swedish MS Center team go to NatMSSociety for more information or contact Reiko Aramaki at the MS Center at reiko.aramaki@swedish.org.
The MS Center will have a "Strike for MS" bowling fundraising event on Saturday, March 24th from 1-3pm at Roxy's Bowling Lanes in West Seattle.The event will help raise funds for the annual National MS Society MS Walk on April 15th. All patients and their family and friends are welcome to join us at the event. Tickets will be $12 for each person and includes unlimited games and free shoe rental. We will also have raffle prizes during the event. If you would like to attend the event or would like to donate items for the raffle prize for the event, email Reiko Aramaki at reiko.aramaki or Janice Huertas at janice.huertas. The address for Roxy's Bowling Lanes is 2823 SW Roxbury St, Seattle, WA 98126. Come join us at this fun event! |
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MS Center Research | |
Pregnancy in MS: For the past 2 years, the MS Center has been studying microchimerism in MS (see lead article above). Women who are pregnant have blood samples evaluated for fetal cells before pregnancy, during each trimester of the pregnancy, and after delivery. These cells are measured in the laboratory of Lee Nelson, MD at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. We are demonstrating that we can measure the fetal cells in pregnant women with MS. This is a small pilot study, and the information learned from this will be used to apply for a larger grant to research this in more detail.
The study has the potential to explain why women have fewer attacks during pregnancy. If this explanation is correct, it also has implications for future treatments of MS using cells rather than drugs to alter immune function.
Information on this study and other studies conducted at the MS Center may be found on our website at: MS Center Research |
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Construction Progress on Swedish MS Center |
Construction is nearly complete on the new MS Center. We are scheduled to see our first patients in the new clinic on April 9, 2012. Here's one last look at the space at the start of the construction. Next month, we should have a picture of the new clinic for you to compare.
You can support the new center by making a gift to help people living with MS in the Puget Sound region. To support the expanded MS Center, contact Kate Purcell, Director, Major Gifts; Direct line: 206-386-3194; Email: kate.purcell@swedish.org |
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Multiple Sclerosis News Digest | |
BG12 submitted to FDA: On 2/28/12 Biogen Idec announced their submission to the FDA for approval of BG12. BG12 is an oral medication given twice a day to slow the progression of MS. Results from 2 phase III studies have shown encouraging results on both effectiveness and safety. The FDA will now decide whether to accept this application (often takes up to 2 months). If accepted, the FDA usually takes about 6 months to decide whether the medication will be approved. If approved, this will be the second oral medication to slow the course of MS. Link for details
Positive results for firategrast : A phase II study of firategrast had positive results with a decrease in new lesions on MRI. Side effects were minimal. This medication is an oral drug that blocks white blood cells from being able to exit the blood vessels, thus gaining access to the brain. This is similar to the way that Tysabri (an intravenous infusion) works in MS. At least 2 phase III studies will be needed before it can be released to the market. These studies will need to address clinical effectiveness including results for MS attacks and disability. Link to article abstract |
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Multiple Sclerosis Center Events | |
Eastern Washington Clinic Days: The clinic has designated days especially for patients visiting from Eastern Washington. This makes it easier to share the trip with friends or carpool.
Annual Swedish MS Center Art Show: The third annual MS Center Art Show is planned for June 16, 2012 from 10AM to 6PM. Artists, start planning your artwork for the event! Link for details
MS Roadshow visits Seattle: After successful events in Yakima and Olympia, the MS Center, in conjunction with the National MS Society, will present the MS Roadshow on 4/7/12 from 12:45 to 5:00PM at the Swedish Cherry Hill Campus, in Seattle. Link for details
Future Roadshows are planned for Bellingham (June) and Port Angeles (September).
Celebrate Swedish: Celebrate Swedish is Link for details |
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