Building on previous research that suggested there may be a more meaningful way to distinguish different types of multiple sclerosis, a new study has defined two categories of MS based on differences in RNA transcription sequences. The researchers hope this novel screening method may help steer clinicians toward more effective therapies.

After analyzing RNA extracted from blood cells of patients with multiple sclerosis, they found distinct sets of RNA molecules in the patient samples. These unique sets distinguished two types of multiple sclerosis, MSa and MSb, based on the level of disease activity. Patients in the MSa category have a higher risk for relapse.

Knowing the category a person with multiple sclerosis is in may help doctors make more informed treatment decisions. For example, if you fall into the MSa category and are more likely to experience relapse, your doctor may consider a stronger treatment.

"These results motivate us to improve these distinctions with further research so that we may reach our goal of identifying the best treatment for each individual who has multiple sclerosis," said lead researcher Philip De Jager, MD, PhD with Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

This study, say researchers, is an important step towards the goal of personalized medicine in MS. But much work remains to be done to fully understand under which circumstance and in combination with which other information these different sets of RNA signatures may become useful in a clinical setting.

About MS

About 400,000 Americans have MS, a chronic, sometimes disabling autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. The central nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves so symptoms are often widespread and may include fatigue, numbness in the limbs, balance and coordination problems, bladder or bowel dysfunction, vision problems, pain, or even paralysis.

Sources:

Brigham and Women’s Hospital

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Anyone who owns a dog can tell you that the bond they share with their furry friend is pretty special. For many seniors, a specially trained service or therapy dog can enrich their lives immeasurably. Today, dogs are trained to help seniors with a range of concerns—from managing a disability to providing unconditional love and companionship.

Service Dogs

Dogs trained to assist their owners with a disability are called “service dogs.” These dogs have special status by law and are allowed in public places. Dogs can be trained to provide assistance with many types of physical, mental or emotional disabilities including:

• Hearing or vision loss
• Paralysis or impaired movement
• Epilepsy
• Diabetes
• Autism
• Alzheimer’s
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Therapy Dogs

Therapy dogs, on the other hand, are trained for companionship and emotional support, but do not have the same status as service dog to enter public places. There are several types of animal-oriented therapy, and each one delivers different benefits for different conditions.

• Visitation therapy: This is the most familiar type of therapy in which dogs visit hospitals, nursing homes, or senior centers to interact with residents and patients. Residents get the loving attention of a dog without the necessary care requirements, which is beneficial in facilities where pets are not permitted.
• Ownership therapy: Dog ownership is often recommended by conventional and alternative medical practitioners for its physical, mental and emotional benefits. Individuals interested in ownership therapy, however, should carefully consider the needs and requirements of the animal when choosing a new companion.
• Animal-assisted therapy: This is a more intensive type of therapy where patients in need of extreme rehabilitation are paired with incredibly sensitive dogs as part of an intensive therapy regime. Interacting with the animals can build confidence as well as refine physical skills.

If you are interested in acquiring a service or therapy dog, consult your doctor and a reputable assistance dog organization such as Assistance Dog International or Pet Partners. In honor of International Assistance Dog Week (IADW), we would like to recognize all the devoted, hardworking assistance dogs that help us in more ways than we could ever imagine.

Sources:

Assistance Dogs International

International Assistance Dog Week

Therapy Dogs United

Among the toughest decisions anyone will make during his or her adult life when faced with treating a mental health issue that's spiraled out of control: Choosing to take an antidepressant drug -- or not -- and all the stray feelings of relief and guilt that come with it. Perhaps, that decision would be much easier and clear-cut, if the benefits of an alternative treatment, like meditation, were similar to that of taking an antidepressant.

Canadian researchers came to that non-pharmacological conclusion after monitoring the mental health of 84 patients (age 18-65), whose depression had been successfully treated with an antidepressant for eight months and were in remission, for 18 months. As they were about to stop taking their meds, patients were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: Those who continued taking an antidepressant, others who were given a placebo in place of a drug and a third group who stopped taking a drug and were trained to use mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), fueled by meditation. After MBCT training, patients were required to schedule daily 40-minute sessions for meditation and mindfulness exercises.

Among the three groups, relapse rates were lowest among patients trained in MBCT (38 percent), compared to those treated with a prescription drug (46 percent) or a placebo (60 percent).

Considering how effective it can be in relieving the emotions that trigger pain, we're not surprised about the efficacy of mindful meditation when it comes to treating depression.

Archives of General Psychiatry, Vol. 67, No. 12, p. 1256-1264, December 2010

EurekAlert December 7, 2010

LiveScience.com December 6, 2010

For the few of you still holding onto the belief that the development of disease and strong emotions aren't connected in some way, it's time to let that myth go for good.

A common molecular protein (heat shock factor-1) triggered by stress -- strong emotions or physical duress brought on by intense workouts -- activates a second protein (Hsp27) that allows cancer cells to survive the typical therapy regimens of radiation and chemotherapy.

The presence and effect of heat shock factor-1 in a cancer environment worried one Ohio State University heart researcher who observed how it protected heart tissue in toxic environments. His concerns were confirmed after experiments with breast cancer cells consistently demonstrated how heat shock factor-1 triggered the expression of Hsp27 that protected cancer cells from elimination, even after exposure to common chemotherapy drugs and radiation that damaged the cells' DNA.

Before you ask, a known molecule (siRNA) reverses the effect of Hsp27 and reactivates the death of cancer cells, but it isn't suitable for cancer patients. And, there's no comparable drug in the development pipeline either.

These results led scientists to recommend cancer patients avoid both physical and emotional stressors in the one to two days prior to their cancer treatments, or risk limiting the good these therapies can do.

In the absence of a go-to drug, here's hoping scientists get around to studying how alternative treatments, like meditation and Qigong, reduce your stress levels and complement the beneficial effect of your cancer treatments.

Molecular Cancer Research September 21, 2010

healthfinder.gov September 23, 2010

ScienceDaily September 22, 2010