Multiple Sclerosis

Music is good for MS: but not in the way you think

January 4, 2022 by Walter Gefrom Leave a Comment

According to a study out of Duke University, lifelong musicianship could potentially ward off the onset of neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s or dementia for years. Walter Gefrom shares his thoughts on the study:

Last year, Duke University conducted a study involving musicians ranging in age from 20 to 67. Five of the participants were female; the rest were male. All of these individuals played piano or violin, beginning between the ages of 3 to 12, and continuing on to the present day. Musicians by practice and identity, these study participants are not casual hobbyists. Instead, they reportedly practice at least three to nine hours per day.

The study determined that these individuals were less likely than non-musicians to have substantial white matter brain damage. The white matter, known as myelin sheath, is what the immune system wages war on. In effect, causing MS disease progression, symptoms and all that comes with that.

It’s no secret that ‘keeping the brain active’ is vitally important for anyone. That’s especially true for individuals with MS or dementia. ‘Use it or lose it’ takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to these conditions. It’s also a huge part of why most doctors will recommend that MS patients take up a new hobby or place importance on learning new things. Keeping the brain active can make a world of difference physically and mentally. So Walter Gefrom is inclined to believe this element to Duke’s study. However, what concerns him about this study is that only five of the participants in the study were female. It is common knowledge that women are much more likely to develop MS than men. To date, women are two to three times more likely to develop MS than men.. And that number could rise. So considering this information, Gefrom believes more women should have been included in the study in order to garner a more accurate picture of what’s at play.

Multiple Sclerosis Statistics and Risk Factors

December 21, 2021 by Walter Gefrom Leave a Comment

Where is MS most prevalent? Who is more likely to be diagnosed with MS and at what age? MS awareness advocate Walter Gefrom answers these questions and more:

Prevalence of MS

Multiple Sclerosis is more prevalent in individuals based on ethnicity and region of location. North America is a hotspot of MS diagnoses, acting as home to more people with MS than any other continent. Europe is second to follow. Although an individual of any ethnicity can develop MS, caucasian people of European descent are the most likely to develop the autoimmune disease. However, the prevalence of MS diagnosis within black and hispanic communities has dramatically increased in the last few years, indicating that this previous assumption may be untrue. In the past, it was believed that North Americans of Scandinavian descent were most at risk of developing MS, though this is no longer widely accepted.

Age of Diagnosis

Onset of Multiple Sclerosis generally occurs between the ages of 20 and 50 years old. The average age of diagnosis is 32. Many individuals live years and even decades without realizing that they have MS, either due to late-onset or a mild experience of symptoms.

Lucid-MS shows promise in restoring motor function

November 29, 2021 by Walter Gefrom Leave a Comment

A potential new Disease Modifying Therapy (DMT) called Lucid-MS is showing great promise in an animal model. Walter Gefrom shares his thoughts on the revolutionary new chemical molecule:

FSD Pharma is developing a treatment for MS that may have the potential to restore motor function. Thus far, the molecule, known as Lucid-MS, has shown promise in an animal model. After 50 consecutive days of treatment, the animals tested appeared to regain lost motor function. The recovery was so significant that these mice exhibited motor function similar to that of otherwise healthy mice. In celebration of this achievement in the lab, the developers of Lucid-MS have now submitted an investigational new drug application, which will be reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by the end of 2022.

It is currently unclear what exactly Lucid-MS is targeting in its treatment of MS. But it is certainly exciting to see that the drug could have the potential to restore motor function for MS patients — or anyone experiencing a similar neurological disorder.

However, Walter Gefrom would like to offer some cautionary advice. Do not jump to conclusions just yet! Of course, there are always drugs in development. Some make it to clinical trials, others simply underperform in mice trials and never see the light of day. While it is exciting to hear that Lucid-MS is showing promise with mice, we must remember: humans are not mice. A human individual with Multiple Sclerosis is going to react differently to medication or any other form of treatment than a mouse. Although this trial may be a good indicator of things to come, it’s far too early to say if the promise will truly pack the punch.