Source Multiple Sclerosis News Today: The National Stem Cell Foundation (NSCF) announced the start of a pioneering project to investigate the impact of microgravity on the neurodegeneration associated with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) and Parkinson’s disease.

The project, a collaboration between the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute, the Summit for Stem Cell, and investigators with Aspen Neuroscience, will send 3-D brain organoids derived from patients with these disorders, for a first time, to the International Space Station (ISS) on SpaceX CRS-18.

This flight, set to launch on July 21 from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, is a test run for a 30-day study of neurodegeneration in microgravity set to take place on the space station this fall.  Read on.

Source Multiple Sclerosis News Today: A new study demonstrates that intracellular sigma peptide (ISP) can promote remyelination in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS). 

Importantly, this study was independent of NervGen, a pharmaceutical company that is developing an ISP-like compound — NVG-291 — for the treatment of nerve injury and MS.

The study, “Modulating proteoglycan receptor PTPσ using intracellular sigma peptide improves remyelination and functional recovery in mice with demyelinated optic chiasm,” was published in the journal Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience.

ISP is an inhibitor of the protein tyrosine phosphatase sigma (PTPσ), which slows the healing process when there is inflammation in the central nervous system. By blocking this healing-preventing receptor, ISP can promote nervous system healing and remyelination — the repair of myelin, the nerve cell “sheath” that becomes damaged in MS. Read on.

Source MS Society: Join us for an afternoon with Dr Claire Rice, Neurologist and MS Researcher in Bristol. Claire will give an overview about stem cell treatment for MS including its current role in disease management and research priorities.

There will also be the opportunity to meet others and visit information stands

The event is free but please register here or contact Karin Gray.

The talk will start at 2 pm with registration and refreshments from 1.30 pm.

Venue: Jury’s Inn, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, GL51 0TS.

Find out more and book your place here.

Source Walking for Health: If you have problems with your health, or if you’ve had them in the past, it can be hard to stay active. But walking could make all the difference.

 It’s a low impact exercise, so it’s easy for you to get involved – even if you’re not feeling your best. In fact, walking could help you feel great again!

Walking for Health offer organised walks from “First Steps” which are from 30-minutes duration to longer more challenging walks.  Find out more here.

Source Neurology Advisor: For patients with progressive multiple sclerosis, a diet-induced lipid profile change improved fatigue, according to a study published in PLoS One.

The aim of this pilot study was to examine lipid and cholesterol biomarker profile changes after a diet-based multimodal intervention was implemented, to assess the association between lipid profiles and fatigue in patients with progressive multiple sclerosis. Analysis of safety, adherence, and nutritional adequacy was also completed. Data from a phase 1 pilot trial of an integrative 12-month diet-based multimodal intervention was obtained via subanalysis. The diet was a modified Paleolithic diet with recommended foods that included leafy green vegetables and deeply coloured fruits and vegetables.  Read on.

Source MS Trust: Action potential simulation is a complementary therapy which some people use as a treatment for pain in MS. It’s available at some MS Therapy Centres in the UK. (Note: We offer this at BMSTC, find out more about our service here.)

 Action potential is the term used to describe the moment when signals – tiny bursts of electricity – are transmitted along your nerves, sending messages to different parts of your body. The electrical current used in APS therapy works to relieve pain by recreating (simulating) these signals.

APS therapy involves having electrodes (small adhesive patches) attached to your skin which transmit very small electrical currents through your body. The location of the electrodes depends on where in your body you experience pain. The electrodes are connected to a small machine. The treatment usually takes around 30 minutes and requires you to sit next to the machine while the electrodes deliver the electrical currents. The treatment doesn’t hurt and is considered to be safe. Read on. 

Source MS Trust: A recent review has outlined the progress made so far in understanding the biology of remyelination, what goes wrong in MS, some of the research problems that need to be tackled and the prospect for treatments in the not-too-distant future.

Considerable progress has been made in understanding the biology of remyelination. This has identified potential treatments, such as clemastine, opicinumab and bexarotene which are being tested in clinical trials.

The review shows that a good deal of progress has already been made, although there is still much to be done. The authors finish by identifying questions that further research needs to address in order to build on this work.  Read on.

Source MS Trust: People with neurological conditions are facing long waiting times, limited access to specialists, poor mental health support and a failing social care system, according to a new survey by The Neurological Alliance.

The National Neurology Patient Experience Survey presents a picture of the experiences of people living with a neurological condition in England.  This year the survey received over 10,000 responses, making it the largest survey of its kind. It covered a wide variety of topics, from diagnosis and information, to access to social care and mental wellbeing. Read on.