This 2023 will probably be the most important year in the fight against multiple sclerosis. A total of 11 trials worldwide, whose results will be known by the end of the year, they will mark the “short-term future” of this disease chronic and neurodegenerative which in Catalonia affects some 9,000 people, and some 60,000 in all of Spain. “There is A lot of energy put into these trials,” says Dr. Xavier Montalbán, Head of the Neurology Service of the Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona and Director of the Center for Multiple Sclerosi de Catalunya (Cemcat). This Tuesday May 30th is celebrated the World Multiple Sclerosis Day and Cemcat has organized a day together with the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (FEM).
These 11 trials, of which two are directed by Montalban, are based on the btk (Bruton’s tyrosine kinase), a selective small molecule potentially capable of penetrate the brain and protect it, and that “could curb disability” that causes this ailment, in the words of the doctor. These drugs open a new route of treatment different. “Have hopes about what will modify the inflammation [causada por la enfermedad] and they will serve as neuroprotective”, Montalban explains. Whatever the final results say, this researcher, who shows optimistic, believes that by the end of the year the medical world will have a newnew information what will glimpse “what will happen in the next few years”. “There have never been so many trials of the same molecule, on which they are already working up to five pharmaceutical companies,” points.
Epstein-Barr virus
Researchers already know that all people with multiple sclerosis have the virus of Epstein–Barr, also known as the human Herpes Virus 4, member of the herpes virus family. It is the virus that causes mononucleosis. “If you don’t have this infection, you don’t develop the disease. The problem is that 95% of people are infected but only a small part develop multiple sclerosis. That’s why we know that there must be other factors like genetic, but also environmental, such as smoking or vitamin D deficiency,” he explains.
A possible vaccine against this virus, administered to all children, also could serve to curb the disease. Things have been learned from covid-19, Montalban qualifies. “For example, that the vaccine does not diminish the contagion capacity, although the severity of the disease does,” he specifies. “However, it seems that there is a relationship between gravity of Epstein-Barr virus infection and disease”.
Disability
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How many people with multiple sclerosis develop disability? According to the specialist, years ago half of them after a decade, they needed help to walk, either on crutches or in a wheelchair. However, now the percentage of patients who develop disability is “very small”, given that it is best diagnosed and treated “very quickly.” The drugs, besides, They are becoming more effective. Although curing the disease completely is difficult, doctors, Montalban says, would settle for stop “immune attacks” that causes These attacks (or outbreaks) are varied, but go through cramps, tingling, weakness in one or more extremities, loss of vision, dizziness or difficulty pronouncing or swallowing.
Multiple sclerosis is a autoimmune disease It affects the brain and spinal cord. It presents a multitude of symptoms and during its evolution it can cause neurological and motor impairment. affects more to women than men and is diagnosed more frequently between 20 and 40 years of age. The prevalence of the disease is of 120 people per 100,000 inhabitants.
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