Yesterday there was a debate on whether we should use anti-CD20 antibodies as immune reconsititution therapies. Of course the answer needs a trial, but what do peole think was the outcome. Sadly, it seems that a substantial number of the clinical fraternity don’t get or buy it. My head is so briuThe only way to covince them is data, but in the absence of a trial how much more evidence do...
#MSCOVID19: woods for the trees
Barts-MS rose-tinted-odometer: ★★★★ I am sure you know the term “I can’t see the woods (or the forest) for the trees”. This means you are unable to understand a situation clearly because you are too involved in it. I think this is what has happened to the MS community when it comes to managing multiple sclerosis during the coronavirus pandemic. We are so fixated on the...
The Yin or the Yang, which is correct? A bit of both?
Arneth B. Contributions of T cells in multiple sclerosis: what do we currently know? J Neurol. 2020 Oct 20. doi: 10.1007/s00415-020-10275-x. Epub ahead of print. Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex autoimmune disorder characterized by neurologic dysfunction. The symptoms worsen as the disease progresses to the relapsing stage. Aim: This study aimed to examine the role of T...
Are you a super-responder?
Barts-MS rose-tinted-odometer: ★★ For every DMT there are patients who respond and there are those who don’t respond. Trying to predict who will be a responder and non-responder is not possible upfront. This is why we talk in averages, i.e. what happens to populations of patients and extrapolate backwards to the individual. If only we have individualised or personalised prediction tools. ...
Gut time
Why don’t I bother reporting microbiome studies as the next great cure and why not report all the supportive (scientifically interesting) animal studies which give us “Cure of the week”. Simple…the data seems to be something that is produced via the intestine and the effects are simply not good or consistent enough….for it to be ready for prime time. This week...
Botox for hand tremors
Image from Verywell Health Hand tremor in MS can be very debilitating leading to an inability to hold things, as well as leading to hand weakness. In many instances, this is due to involvement of the cerebellum (part of the brain dealing with coordination), rather than the basal ganglia that is involved in Parkinson’s. MS-related tremors tend to respond poorly to oral medications used for...
triMS.online: diversity and youth
Barts-MS rose-tinted-odometer: ★★★★★ What do you do you do when you realise that your baby has grown up! Several years ago someone on this blog recommended launching OCTRIMS, i.e the Online Consortium of Treatment and Research In Multiple Sclerosis. I diligently registered the domain name and approached ECTRIMS for support and they said no they weren’t prepared to support an online offering...
#BlackSwan: anecdotal evidence we can’t ignore
Barts-MS rose-tinted-odometer: ★★★★★ What is a black swan event? “The black swan theory or theory of black swan events is a metaphor that describes an event that comes as a surprise, has a major effect, and is often inappropriately rationalised after the fact with the benefit of hindsight”. (Source Wikipedia) The case study below is another example of a mounting number of case studies of...
#MSCOVID19 Flu Jab
It seems that there have been fewer cases of Flu in Australia this Winter, possibly because people have been socially distancing. I am on the waiting list for this years flu jab and am not going to get an offer until the Heath Care professionals and others have been offered their Jab. Are you an anti-Jaxer but want to avoid COVID-19. But maybe vaccination against Flu can reduce your risk f COVID...
#MSCOVID19: it’s over, but it is not
Barts-MS rose-tinted-odometer: ★★★★★ I have just completed the Virtual New York City Marathon in London and have clearly survived to tell the tale. Not only did I prove many doubters wrong, I even managed to surprise myself by dipping under the 3:20 mark (3:19:07 when I clocked 42.2km on my Garmin). It was only 3 years ago, due to chronic right hip pain, that I decided my running career was over...