New drug could stop multiple sclerosis symptoms before they emerge

By James Gamble via SWNS

A new drug could help delay symptoms of multiple sclerosis in those showing early signs of the condition.

Scientists say teriflunomide could be given to patients who show early signs of multiple sclerosis (MS) in MRI scans - despite not yet suffering from symptoms of the immune system disease.

American researchers tested the new drug on patients displaying lesions indicative of "radiologically isolated syndrome" which are similar to those seen in those suffering from MS.

The team found that those who took the new drug were three-quarters less likely of developing MS symptoms than those who took a placebo.

Though scientists say that further research is necessary, the study suggests that early intervention with the new teriflunomide drug could decrease the risk of neurological damage and debilitating symptoms.

Multiple sclerosis is a condition affecting the brain and spinal cord and can cause a wide range of symptoms including fatigue, numbness, tingling and difficulty walking.

The disease occurs when the body's immune system attacks myelin - a fatty, white substance which insulates and protects our nerves.

The preliminary study, which will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 75th Annual Meeting in Boston later this month, focused on people displaying signs of a condition called radiologically isolated syndrome in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

This condition is diagnosed in people who have no symptoms of MS, but who have abnormalities in the brain or spinal cord called lesions - which are similar to those seen in MS.

The study involved 89 participants with radiologically isolated syndrome, who were observed for up to two years from the beginning of the study.

Half of them were given 14 milligrams of the drug teriflunomide each day, whilst the other half were given a placebo.

During the study, just eight of the participants who took teriflunomide developed symptoms of MS, compared with 20 of the group which took the placebo.

After adjusting for other factors which could have an effect on the risk of developing symptoms of MS, the research team concluded that the participants who took the drug had a 72 per cent lower risk of experiencing first symptoms than those in the placebo group.

Study author Dr. Christine Lebrun Frenay, from the University Hospital of Nice in France and a Fellow of the AAN, explained how the results of the study showed positive signs.

Dr. Lebrun Frenay said: "Our findings suggest that early intervention with teriflunomide may be beneficial to those diagnosed with radiologically isolated syndrome - the presymptomatic phase of MS.

"With more and more people having brain scans for various reasons, such as headache or head trauma, more of these cases are being discovered, and many of these people go on to develop MS.

"The sooner a person can be treated for MS, the greater the chances of delaying damage to the myelin, which decreases the risk of permanent neurologic impairment and debilitating symptoms."

However, on the need for further research into the drug, Dr. Lebrun Frenay added: "More research is needed in larger groups of people to confirm our findings.

"Additionally, it is important that medical professionals are cautious when using MRI expertise to diagnose this condition, selecting only patients at risk of developing MS and not increasing MRI misdiagnoses."

The AAN is the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, with more than 40,000 members.

Their study was supported by Sanofi, the company that makes teriflunomide.