MS Research Roundup: September 2024
The multiple sclerosis research published in September 2024, explained in plain language. Studies are listed by how much they matter to people living with MS, most first.
The month at a glance
- 13 studies published this month.
- Newest study published September 27, 2024.
- 5 in people, 3 in the lab or in animals, 5 reviews of earlier research.
- Largest study: 16,794 people.
- Research from 60 institutions in 15 countries, including the University of Perugia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet.
- Forms of MS studied: childhood-onset (1), primary progressive (1), relapsing-remitting (1).
- Symptoms studied: vision problems (1).
Studies published in September 2024
More health conditions linked to MS relapses or new lesions
In 17 MS treatment trials, people with more health conditions were more likely to have a relapse, worsening disability, or new brain scan lesions over two years.
MS disability may worsen without relapses from early on
A review describes rising MS rates, a shift toward older ages, and evidence that disability can worsen without relapses, even early in the disease.
MRI helps diagnose MS, but misuse can lead to errors
MRI helps doctors diagnose MS, but using scan results incorrectly can lead to errors. This review also looks at newer scan findings that may predict worsening.
Blood immune cells show early changes linked to MS
A twin study found changes in blood immune cells linked to MS, including in twins with early brain inflammation. No treatment was tested in this study.
Gut bacteria patterns differed across MS and other diseases
Researchers compared gut bacteria data from people with MS and other diseases. Patterns differed across diseases, with notable overlap between lupus and bowel disease.
Review guides MS diagnosis in children and older adults
An expert review offers guidance on telling MS from other conditions in children under 18 and adults over 50. It identifies warning signs of a different diagnosis.
Blood and Spinal Fluid Tests May Help Track MS Over Time
A review explores how blood and spinal fluid tests may help diagnose MS, predict flare-ups, and track changes, while noting barriers to their use in care.
COVID-19 disrupted MS care and complicated symptom checks
A review describes how COVID-19 disrupted MS care, raised questions about vaccines and infection, and made long COVID harder to tell apart from MS symptoms.
MS brain tissue and mice showed nerve covering repair
In donated MS brain tissue and mice, cells that make nerve covering responded to damage. The findings suggest this cell supply may be harder to renew in long-standing MS.
Study links a gene variant, blood protein, and MS
A study of Black adults found links between gene variants and blood proteins. Health records also linked one variant to a blood protein level and MS.
MS and related diseases: a larger share of eye nerve cases
A South Korean study found fewer new optic neuritis cases during the pandemic, but a larger share of people diagnosed in 2021 had MS or related diseases.
In mice, removing a cell signal helped repair MS damage
In mice with MS-like disease, removing a signal from brain cells improved repair of damaged nerve covering. Donated MS brain tissue also showed more of this signal.
Gene loss made MS-like disease deadly in adult mice
In adult mice, losing a gene in myelin-making cells made an MS-like disease more severe and deadly. Damaged myelin did not regrow, and myelin debris built up.
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