Fwd: [MS_Community] Central Nervous System Damage Is Minimal Among Early-onse...

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In a message dated 03/29/2004 7:43:26 AM Eastern Standard Time, adlerjayne@... writes:

Central Nervous System Damage Is Minimal Among Early-onset MS Patients, Findings Show (3/26/04)Findings from a new study suggest damage to the central nervous system in early-onset MS is modest in comparison to the damage of the brains and spinal cords observed in patients with adult-onset MS.Basing their hypothesis on several studies that have shown a more favorable course of disease among patients who develop MS during adolescence than patients who are diagnosed with the disease in adulthood, the researchers investigated the extent of damage in the brains and spinal cords of 13 children with early-onset MS. The patients were an average of approximately 14-years-old and had been relapse- and steroid-free for at least six months.The researchers compared central nervous system damage between the MS patients and 10 healthy adolescent volunteers. The volunteers' average age was 14.8 years.The brains and spinal cords in the MS patients were relatively damage-free when compared to those in the healthy volunteers. Although the researchers could not provide an explanation for the study's findings, they noted that they are in concurrence with results from other studies of early-onset MS.One factor that may contribute to the study's findings could be the relatively short disease duration among this patient group, they suggested, although this is not likely to play a major role.The study appears in the March issue of Archives of Neurology. A complimentary medical news service provided by Teva Neuroscience, this news service has been developed independently and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Teva Neuroscience. MS Update is a current news service provided by FAXWATCHâ„¢. The staff of medical writers at FAXWATCHâ„¢ independently summarize and abstract the most current articles on subjects in multiple sclerosis from the major peer-reviewed medical publications, such as ls of Neurology, JAMA, New England Journal of Medicine and Journal of Neurology. In all cases, FAXWATCHâ„¢ cites the original source of its material.A support group for people with ms & their friends & relations. We try & keep informed of developments in ms research & stay abreast of legislative issues that may effect us.