Multiple Sclerosis Discovery Forum

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Multiple Sclerosis Discovery Forum (MSDF) is a non-profit online resource [1] created to speed progress toward a cure for multiple sclerosis (MS) and other demyelinating diseases by enabling faster sharing of information and free discussion among MS researchers in academia, industry, and the clinic.

Launched in April 2012, [2] MSDF deploys science journalism as a primary tool in fostering communication and collaboration among MS researchers from all corners of the scientific enterprise. The site combines news and features with technical resources, such as a weekly editor-curated index of MS-related papers from PubMed and a database with the latest scientific and regulatory information about drugs being marketed or in the pipeline for treatment of MS. Other resources include interactive data visualizations, meetings and events, and discussion forums.

MSDF is modeled after online scientific community Alzheimer Research Forum (AlzForum). [3] Since 1996, AlzForum has become an location for information and interaction for investigators working on age-related neurodegeneration. More recently, similar independent neutral Web-based neurology disease forums have followed, including Schizophrenia Research Forum [4] and Pain Research Forum. [5]

As with its sister forums, all content on MSDF is provided free of charge to the research community, and editorial independence from sponsors and donors is strictly maintained. MSDF articles have unique digital object identifiers (DOI) to provide stable linking over time and to facilitate discussion and altmetrics tracking of scientific articles in social media forums, s. MSDF articles are indexed by Google News.

MSDF covers the plausible but unproven questions of whether the dozen new anti-inflammatory therapies can be deployed more effectively against disease progression, as well as the upsurge in research to understand the pathological mechanisms and treatments for progressive MS. Related demyelinating conditions include neuromyelitis optica (NMO), transverse myelitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and optic neuritis. Their misdiagnosis as MS can lead to inappropriate and even harmful therapeutic choices, such as was discovered with NMO, now clearly understand to be a different disease.

MSDF is a joint activity of Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis (ACP) and the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND).

Related Research Articles

Optic neuritis describes any condition that causes inflammation of the optic nerve; it may be associated with demyelinating diseases, or infectious or inflammatory processes. It is also known as optic papillitis, neuroretinitis when there is a combined involvement of optic disc and surrounding retina in the macular area and retrobulbar neuritis. It is most often associated with multiple sclerosis, and it may lead to complete or partial loss of vision in one or both eyes. Other causes include:

  1. Idiopathic
  2. Hereditary optic neuritis
  3. Parainfectious optic neuritis
  4. Infectious optic neuritis (sinus related or associated with cat scratch fever, tuberculosis, lyme disease and cryptococcal meningitis in AIDS patients
  5. Autoimmune causes
Multiple sclerosis Disease that damages the myelin sheaths around nerves

Multiple sclerosis (MS), also known as encephalomyelitis disseminata, is a demyelinating disease in which the insulating covers of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged. This damage disrupts the ability of parts of the nervous system to transmit signals, resulting in a range of signs and symptoms, including physical, mental, and sometimes psychiatric problems. Specific symptoms can include double vision, blindness in one eye, muscle weakness, and trouble with sensation or coordination. MS takes several forms, with new symptoms either occurring in isolated attacks or building up over time. Between attacks, symptoms may disappear completely, although permanent neurological problems often remain, especially as the disease advances.

Demyelinating disease Any neurological disease in which the myelin sheath of neurons is damaged

A demyelinating disease is any disease of the nervous system in which the myelin sheath of neurons is damaged. This damage impairs the conduction of signals in the affected nerves. In turn, the reduction in conduction ability causes deficiency in sensation, movement, cognition, or other functions depending on which nerves are involved.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) is an etiologically heterogeneous syndrome predominantly characterized by acute inflammation of the optic nerve and the spinal cord (myelitis). Episodes of ON and myelitis can be simultaneous or successive. A relapsing disease course is common, especially in untreated patients. In more than 80% of cases, NMO is caused by immunoglobulin G autoantibodies to aquaporin 4 (anti-AQP4), the most abundant water channel protein in the central nervous system. A subset of anti-AQP4-negative cases is associated with antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (anti-MOG). Rarely, NMO may occur in the context of other autoimmune diseases or infectious diseases. In some cases, the etiology remains unknown.

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is a glycoprotein believed to be important in the myelination of nerves in the central nervous system (CNS). In humans this protein is encoded by the MOG gene. It is speculated to serve as a necessary "adhesion molecule" to provide structural integrity to the myelin sheath and is known to develop late on the oligodendrocyte.

Lesional demyelinations of the central nervous system

Multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) produce lesions and glial scars or scleroses. They present different shapes and histological findings according to the underlying condition that produces them.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Several therapies for it exist, although there is no known cure.

Inflammatory demyelinating diseases (IDDs), sometimes called Idiopathic (IIDDs) because the unknown etiology of some of them, and sometimes known as borderline forms of multiple sclerosis, is a collection of multiple sclerosis variants, sometimes considered different diseases, but considered by others to form a spectrum differing only in terms of chronicity, severity, and clinical course.

Marburg acute multiple sclerosis, also known as Marburg multiple sclerosis or acute fulminant multiple sclerosis, is considered one of the multiple sclerosis borderline diseases, which is a collection of diseases classified by some as MS variants and by others as different diseases. Other diseases in this group are neuromyelitis optica (NMO), Balo concentric sclerosis, and Schilder's disease. The graver course is one form of malignant multiple sclerosis, with patients reaching a significant level of disability in less than five years from their first symptoms, often in a matter of months.

Multiple sclerosis signs and symptoms

Multiple sclerosis can cause a variety of symptoms: changes in sensation (hypoesthesia), muscle weakness, abnormal muscle spasms, or difficulty moving; difficulties with coordination and balance; problems in speech (dysarthria) or swallowing (dysphagia), visual problems, fatigue and acute or chronic pain syndromes, bladder and bowel difficulties, cognitive impairment, or emotional symptomatology. The main clinical measure in progression of the disability and severity of the symptoms is the Expanded Disability Status Scale or EDSS.

Research in multiple sclerosis may find new pathways to interact with the disease, improve function, curtail attacks, or limit the progression of the underlying disease. Many treatments already in clinical trials involve drugs that are used in other diseases or medications that have not been designed specifically for multiple sclerosis. There are also trials involving the combination of drugs that are already in use for multiple sclerosis. Finally, there are also many basic investigations that try to understand better the disease and in the future may help to find new treatments.

Alzheimer Research Forum (ARF), or Alzforum is a website which uses web technology to accelerate research into Alzheimer's disease.

Tumefactive multiple sclerosis Medical condition

Tumefactive multiple sclerosis is a condition in which the central nervous system of a person has multiple demyelinating lesions with atypical characteristics for those of standard multiple sclerosis (MS). It is called tumefactive as the lesions are "tumor-like" and they mimic tumors clinically, radiologically and sometimes pathologically.

Diffuse myelinoclastic sclerosis, sometimes referred to as Schilder's disease, is a very infrequent neurodegenerative disease that presents clinically as pseudotumoural demyelinating lesions, making its diagnosis difficult. It usually begins in childhood, affecting children between 5 and 14 years old, but cases in adults are also possible.

Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency controversy Medical condition

Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency is a term invented by Italian researcher Paolo Zamboni in 2008 to describe compromised flow of blood in the veins draining the central nervous system. Zamboni hypothesized that it might play a role in the cause or development of multiple sclerosis (MS). Zamboni also devised a surgical procedure which the media nicknamed a liberation procedure or liberation therapy, involving venoplasty or stenting of certain veins. Zamboni's ideas about CCSVI are very controversial, with significantly more detractors than supporters, and any treatments based on his ideas are considered experimental.

Clinical neuroscience is a branch of neuroscience that focuses on the scientific study of fundamental mechanisms that underlie diseases and disorders of the brain and central nervous system. It seeks to develop new ways of conceptualizing and diagnosing such disorders and ultimately of developing novel treatments.

Chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy (CRION) is a form of recurrent optic neuritis that is steroid responsive. Patients typically present with pain associated with visual loss. CRION is a diagnosis of exclusion, and other demyelinating, autoimmune, and systemic causes should be ruled out. Early recognition is crucial given risks for severe visual loss and because it is treatable with immunosuppressive treatment such as steroids. Relapse that occurs after reducing or stopping steroids is a characteristic feature.

MOG antibody disease, MOGAD or Anti-MOG associated encephalomyelitis is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Serum anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies are present in up to half of patients with an acquired demyelinating syndrome and have been described in association with a range of phenotypic presentations, including acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, and neuromyelitis optica.

Anti-neurofascin demyelinating diseases refers to health conditions engendered by auto-antibodies against neurofascins, which can produce both central and peripheral demyelination. Some cases of combined central and peripheral demyelination (CCPD) could be produced by them.

Anti-AQP4 diseases, are a group of diseases characterized by auto-antibodies against aquaporin 4.

References

  1. ↑ Henrickson, S. (2012). "Social Media Meet Multiple Sclerosis". Science Translational Medicine. 4 (165): 165ec233. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3005521. S2CID   86550335.
  2. ↑ Zakaib, GD. (2012) Web Forum Set to Tackle Multiple Sclerosis; AlzForum.
  3. ↑ Das, Sudeshna; McCaffrey, Patricia G.; Talkington, Megan W. T.; Andrews, Neil A.; Corlosquet, Stéphane; Ivinson, Adrian J.; Clark, Tim (2014). "Pain Research Forum: Application of scientific social media frameworks in neuroscience". Frontiers in Neuroinformatics. 8: 21. doi: 10.3389/fninf.2014.00021 . PMC   3949323 . PMID   24653693.
  4. ↑ Schizophrenia Research Forum
  5. ↑ Pain Research Forum
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