by Dr. Deneb Bates

The findings of several recent studies on diet and MS were presented at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting.

Past studies done with EAE, the animal model of MS, have shown benefits from different dietary approaches, including low-calorie, low-fat, and low-salt diets.  In an effort to better understand genetic and environmental risk factors for developing MS, several studies were done analyzing the dietary intake of pediatric patients with MS,...

Dr. Armistead Williams discussed the most recently FDA-approved MS medication, Alemtuzumab, at today’s grand rounds. His discussion of this medication included the following points: Two courses of this potent drug can give people with RRMS 5 years of benefit. The risks include infections and developing a new autoimmune disease, 1 in 3 will get autoimmune thyroid disease and 3% will develop a more serious disease. We have not proven yet that this medication will alter the long term risk of...

Summer is almost here! Sunlight is the best natural source of vitamin D, a nutrient that helps regulate the immune response and may be especially beneficial for people with MS. 

What’s the best way to get a natural dose of this necessary nutrient? 

It’s very difficult to get enough vitamin D from sunlight most months of the year unless you live close to the equator. Now that the sunlight is finally getting stronger in the northern latitudes, try to spend some time outside...

The IMSMP welcomed Cristina Dorazio, Ph.D., a psychologist in private practice in NYC, to present a Grand Rounds presentation on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 on “The Power of Mindfulness: Implications for Your Practice”.  Dr. Dorazio explained the fundamentals of mindfulness, the practice of focusing one’s attention purposefully in the moment and paying attention to the breath as a way to calm anxiety.  She shared scientific studies that have shown a correlation between the use of mindfulness...