MS research update - 09 July 2010
- Timing of pregnancy alters MS risk in offspring
- The role of botulinum toxin in the treatment of MS symptoms
Timing of pregnancy alters MS risk in offspring
The risk of developing MS is thought to be determined by a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. The present study sought to determine whether season of birth influences the likelihood of developing MS in a Swedish population.
The research was based on the records of 9,361 people with MS who were born in Sweden between 1900-2007. This data was studied in the context of the records for all births in Sweden during the same period of time.
The highest proportion of people with MS were born in June while the lowest proportion of people with MS were born in December and January. These findings support previous earlier studies that have drawn a connection between timing of pregnancy and consequent levels of exposure to sunlight during pregnancy and risk of developing MS in the offspring.
Salza J, Svenningsson A, Sundstrom P.
Season of birth in Sweden
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica 2010; 122(1):70-3
Medline abstract
The role of botulinum toxin in the treatment of MS symptoms
Botulinum toxin is currently licensed for the treatment of MS spasticity. Botulinum toxin works by preventing nerve messages being transmitted to muscles, thus causing paralysis. In small, therapeutic doses, botulinum toxin is injected into individual muscles to prevent the nerve messages that cause spasticity and spasm.
The use of botulinum toxin extends beyond the treatment of MS spasticity and in some specialist centres it is now used to treat other MS symptoms including bladder problems. Botulinum toxin has proven effective in reducing incontinence episodes and urinary urgency as well as day and night time frequency. This article reviews the current uses of botulinum toxin in the treatment of MS symptoms and it's potential in treating other MS related symptoms such as: pain, trigeminal neuralgia, tremor, and visual problems.
Habeck M, Karni A, Balash Y, et al.
The place of botulinum toxin in the management of multiple sclerosis
Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery 2010 [Epub ahead of print].
Medline abstract