May
29
MSWorld, Inc. Launches Online Cognitive-Based Memory Video Game on Inaugural World MS Day
Filed Under News | 5 Comments
NEW YORK–BUSINESS WIRE–MSWorld, Inc., a global online support community for people living with multiple sclerosis MS, has launched a mystery-themed, memory-based video game, titled “The Case of the Missing Matches,” in recognition of the first World MS Day. Beginning today, “The Case of the Missing Matches” video game can be accessed at: http://www.msworld.org/html/memory.htm.
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society NMSS, approximately 50 percent of patients with MS will develop problems with cognition. There is a mounting body of evidence that stimulating the brain with cognitive and action-based video games may help keep the brain healthy. In fact, recent publications indicate that in many areas of perception and cognition, video game experience leads gamers to possess perceptual and cognitive skills far beyond those observed in non-gamers.1
“’The Case of the Missing Matches’ was developed to be fun for anyone, and the fact that it is memory-based provides what we hope is a helpful exercise for our members,” said Dave Anderson, Vice President of MSWorld, Inc. and co-developer of “The Case of the Missing Matches.” “As a person living with MS, my hope is that this new tool may help the community of people with MS to test and strengthen their cognitive abilities.”
MSWorld, Inc. selected the inaugural World MS Day to launch “The Case of the Missing Matches” to inform the public about the availability of this new resource on their Web site. MSWorld, Inc. invites everyone, including their nearly 30,000 registered members, to visit their Web site to play this new game.
read the rest via MSWorld, Inc. Launches Online Cognitive-Based Memory Video Game on Inaugural World MS Day.
May
21
The NIH has granted Temple University researchers $1.5 million to test a laboratory-made version of cannabinoids for slowing the progress of multiple sclerosis. Cannabinoids are found in nature in the marijuana plant. Researchers believe that this class of chemicals can create immune suppression, which just might help in multiple sclerosis. Much like steroids (but with fewer side effects and much more selectively), cannabinoids can “switch off” a portion of the immune response and bring down inflammation and “hyperactivity” of immune cells, possibly preventing (or slowing) some of the damage caused to the myelin by immune cells. It does this by interacting with the receptors on specific immune cells.
read the rest via Chemical in Marijuana to Slow Multiple Sclerosis?.
May
21
LONDON, May 20 (Reuters) – A pioneering cannabis-based medicine for multiple sclerosis from GW Pharmaceuticals (GWP.L) has been filed for approval in Europe, paving the way for its potential approval at the end of 2009 or early in 2010.
Following numerous delays, the submission to regulators in Britain and Spain is a landmark for the British drugmaker, which also announced on Wednesday it had made a maiden net profit of 4.0 million pounds ($6.2 million) in the six months to March 31 from a 4.2 million loss a year ago.
Shares in the company rose 7.6 percent to 85 pence by midday after touching a high of 89.5p.
Clinical trials have shown GW’s drug Sativex, which is sprayed under the tongue, reduces spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients who do not respond adequately to existing therapies.
If it is approved, Sativex will be marketed in Britain by Germany’s Bayer (BAYG.DE) and in the rest of Europe by Spain’s Almirall (ALM.MC).
Following the filings in Britain and Spain, submissions for approval will made in other European countries during 2010.
Further clinical trials need to be completed before the medicine is ready for submission for approval in the United States, where GW’s partner is Otsuka.
Sativex became the world’s first cannabis medicine to win regulatory approval when it was approved in Canada in 2005.
The drug — extracted from marijuana plants grown at secret locations in the English countryside — has been hit by a string of delays in Europe, where GW originally hoped to win approval in 2003.
Despite past disappointments, analysts are hopeful that this time GW will win a green light.
“Since the pivotal trial was designed largely by the regulators we feel there is relatively low risk of a rejection,” said KBC analyst Paul Cuddon.
The spray contains two active cannabinoids, CBD and THC. The latter substance is responsible for the euphoria associated with smoking cannabis.
GW also said it was planning a mid-stage Phase II clinical trial with a new cannabinoid medicine for the treatment of dyslipidaemia, or raised levels of fat in the blood, in type II diabetes patients.
Other potential use for cannabinoid medicines could include treatments for cancer and schizophrenia.
“We’re looking at developing other products from the plant which are not psychoactive … The plant has 60 or 70 of them, many of which have a very interesting pharmacology,” R&D Director Stephen Wright told Reuters.
read the rest via Pharma files cannabis drug for MS in Europe | Reuters.
May
21
May 21, 2009 — NeedyMeds, a national nonprofit, added a new resource page to its Web site tailored for those with multiple sclerosis. The page is a multiple sclerosis-specific source of help for those looking for information on the disease and financial resources to help assist with the cost of medications.
The resource page, created in collaboration with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, provides information on this disease including an overview, frequently asked questions, research, and more. In addition, the page lists financial resources that help with the cost of the drugs used to treat multiple sclerosis, free clinics, and programs that provide other types of financial assistance.
This comprehensive information source is found at www.needymeds.org/resourcepages/ms.shtml or on the NeedyMeds homepage at needymeds.org.
NeedyMeds has the most comprehensive and reliable database of patient assistance programs available. All the information is free, easy to access, and updated regularly. There is no registration process or need for users to enter any personal information.
read the rest via New Source of Information on Multiple Sclerosis Medications.
[Editorial comment: Anything that helps with the high cost of medications is a good thing, of course, but "Needymeds.org" is one of the most offensive web addresses I have ever seen.]