Scripps Research Scientists Develop Compound That Effectively Halts Progression of Multiple Sclerosis

The Discovery Also Holds Promise for Other Autoimmune Disorders

JUPITER, Fla., April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have developed the first of a new class of highly selective compounds that effectively suppresses the severity of multiple sclerosis in animal models. The new compound could provide new and potentially more effective therapeutic approaches to multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases that affect patients worldwide.

The study appeared April 17, 2011, in an advance online edition of the journal Nature.

Current treatments for autoimmunity suppress the patient's entire immune system, leaving patients vulnerable to a range of adverse side effects. Because the new compound, known as SR1001, only blocks the actions of a specific cell type playing a significant role in autoimmunity, it appears to avoid many of the widespread side effects of current therapies.

"This is a novel drug that works effectively in animal models with few side effects," said Tom Burris, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Molecular Therapeutics at Scripps Florida who led the study, which was a multidisciplinary collaboration with scientists including Patrick Griffin, William Roush, and Ted Kamenecka of Scripps Research, and Paul Drew of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. "We have been involved in several discussions with both pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms who are very interested in developing it further."

Read the whole article here

JC Virus Test Positive

Today I got the test results for my JC Virus Test...it was positive. So I've only had 1 Tysabri infusion and I know that going into the Tysabri treatment I already am more supseptible to PML. This leaves me with many more questions regarding my future MS Treatment. I'm open to opinions & suggestions.

Also, I've been having what I am calling "episodes" of Pain/Numbness which always starts on the side of my head and goes down my neck/shoulder and left arm/hand until I can't move my left arm/hand and it's constant pins/needles and pain for up to 1 hour. I've increased my Neurontin and I'm trying to rest more.

I'm also experiencing buzzing from even just walking say 1/2 mile. The buzzing could be anywhere in my body. Legs, Torso etc.

My Neuro wants me to do IVSM again (I just had it in Feb) and I'm not sure if I should since I have the JC Virus + Steroids + Tysabri = No immune system! And shouldn't we limit the amount and how often we receive IVSM? Do I not do it and deal with the symptoms and hope Tysabri helps them subside? I welcome opinions here as well...

I hope everyone else is doing well.

Mid South Marchers

This weekend I will lead the Mid South Marchers in the MS Walk. Only thing is I won't actually be walking but I have 8 people walking for me! :) As the Team Captain I need to organize everyone so we can get our team picture taken and hang at our tent etc. Out of our 10K goal, so far we raised 6700+ online! I have no idea what funds will be brought in tomorrow regarding cash and checks! We are currently #1 in the Nashville area! But we also have till May 31st to get all our monies in so I am hoping we meet our 10k goal.

In other news, my sister Mary is visiting and walking for me, she's raised 1200+ on her own so I need to give Kudos to her! I will meet about 500 of my 1K goal. But that's still good. :)

I'm starting to get used to what I call "spells"...I'll be walking along and all of a sudden my entire left side from my head down my neck down my arm to my hand gets painful, pins/needles and numb for about 10 minutes. It still freaks me out when it happens (1x a day) because I never know when it's coming. I assume it's MS because my doctors office is ignoring my calls and emails. I need to find a caring Neurologist or Nurse...Do they exist?

Tysabri Infusion #1 + the Stress of my sister visiting, MS walk and next week flying to my niece's baptism has left me full of anxiety and now I have a cold sore - which only happens when my immune system is low and I'm stressed to the rafters. I just want it to be Easter and I'm sitting at home bored again. lol

So, I am trying to stay positive even though I feel like I'm on the brink of a nervous breakdown these days with so much to do and so little time to do what I really need which is REST. This is not a rant, just an update per Libby's request! :)

I hope this finds you all well and ready for spring up North I hear nothing has even begun to bloom yet...we are enjoying the 70's down here and everything has been blooming for weeks. :)

Last weekend my husband, father in-law and 20 Year old Nephew put a Paver Patio in our backyard and reseeded the entire lawn...so hopefully in a few weeks we will have a great green backyard and can enjoy our fire pit on our new Patio!

I did have some excitement this past week when a Tornado came through and I "heard the train a coming" when they get close they really do whistle like a train. The dogs and I went into the closet on the lowest level of our house (we don't have a basement like is common up north) and sat in the dark praying. Luckily God heard my very loud prayers and we were spared. Not everyone in Nashville was so lucky. It's the one thing I dislike about living here (that and the 90-100 degree humid summers) other wise I would love it. I do live in the happiest state in the union they say! Read THIS

Have a great weekend!