| For those who must learn to cope with the fact that | | | | How Does this New Multiple Sclerosis Treatment |
| they have been diagnosed with the incurable disease | | | | Work? |
| of multiple sclerosis the future may seem bleak. While | | | | As most of us know MS is a disease of the central |
| there is currently no known cure for MS there is | | | | nervous system that causes a variety of symptoms |
| constant research being done to find a successful | | | | including muscle spasticity and paralysis as well as |
| new treatment for multiple sclerosis that will help | | | | poor balance and coordination. It can also result in loss |
| keep the symptoms in remission for more patients. In | | | | of vision and slurred speech to name but a few of |
| January of 2010 the FDA approved the use of a new | | | | the symptoms. These symptoms are a direct result |
| drug for the treatment of MS. | | | | of the body's own immune system attacking the |
| Finally a New Multiple Sclerosis Treatment | | | | myelin layer that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. |
| On the 23rd of January the USFDA approved the | | | | The use of Fampridine SR is thought to actually |
| drug Fampridine SR as a new multiple sclerosis | | | | improve the transmission of signals in the patients |
| treatment. Following 10 years of research and study | | | | nervous system that have previously been affected |
| at the University of Rochester Medical Center, this | | | | by their MS. This new multiple sclerosis treatment |
| new medication has been found to actually enhance | | | | blocks the potassium ion channels in their nerve cells |
| lost neurological feelings in many patients who have | | | | and thereby restores the levels of signal conduction |
| MS. It was these successful results that led the FDA | | | | from one cell to another. In tests 35% of the |
| to finally approve this new medication for use by the | | | | patients experienced an increase of at least 25% in |
| general public. | | | | their walking speed. They also noticed that they |
| According to Dr. Andrew Goodman, chief of the | | | | could walk further and were able to stay on their |
| URMC MS Center, physicians finally have access to a | | | | feet for much longer periods of time. |
| drug that when using in combination with other | | | | As with any new multiple sclerosis treatment results |
| therapeutic treatments that may help improve the | | | | are going to vary from patient to patient. The only |
| mobility of patients who suffer from multiple sclerosis. | | | | real side effect that has been seen is a slight |
| He hailed the development and approval of the drug | | | | increase in the risk of seizures. However during ten |
| as a "good day for people who suffer from MS." He | | | | years of clinical trials the number of incidences has |
| went on to say that it may help many to regain | | | | been relatively low when the drug was administered |
| some of the independence they once enjoyed. | | | | at the recommended dosage. |