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| London feeling the effects of global warming. |
Please note that the main consequences of a raised body temperature in demyelinated, or remyelinated, pathways is slowed conduction. The commonest example is exercise-induced fatigue, but this summer’s heatwave is causing symptoms without the need for exercise. Some MSers are finding walking difficult; their legs begin to drag minutes into walking rather than after 20-30 minutes. One patient has noticed blurring of vision mid-morning when in the past this would only happen in the late afternoon. The reason for this is that those demyelinated segments in the nerve stop conducting due to conduction block induced by a slight rise in temperature affecting the functioning of the sodium channels. These are the molecules in the membranes of nerve cells that transmit the electrical signal down a nerve fibre, which require energy to work. These ion pumps are optimised to function at a certain temperature and explains why MSers are heat sensitive.
I assume you have heard of Uhthoff’s phenomenon. Wilhelm Uhthoff (1853-1927) was a famous German Professor of ophthalmology who described temporary visual loss associated with optic neuritis linked to physical exercise. This was later found to be caused by a rise in body temperature. This phenomenon is now known to affect other neurological systems as well; for example, the motor system when walking, balance and sensory pathways and even the cognitive centres.
Apart from cooling, we have not had a treatment for Uhthoff’s phenomenon. More recently the drug Fampridine has been licensed to improve walking speed in MSers. Interestingly one of the patients I saw yesterday volunteered that since starting fampridine a few weeks ago his heat sensitivity had improved.
Symptomatic treatments and behavioural & environmental therapy (cooling) have been the mainstay of treating MS-related heat sensitivity. Having a drug to treat conduction block is, therefore, welcomed. However, I remain sceptical about their long-term effectiveness which is why we need effective remyelination therapies. Remyelination therapies should also be neuroprotective preventing or slowing down the degeneration of nerve fibres that have been left vulnerable by demyelination.
CoI: Multiple
Great. When can we expect these remyelination therapies? It's been hundreds of years since this symptom was clinically deduced, yet these's nothing.Neurology is an embarrassment.
Science takes a long-time. There are several agents in phase 3 at the moment. However, the most effective remyelination therapy is early effective treatment. If you switch off inflammation early you will remyelinate damaged axons.
What if we are not early in our course? Greater than 1/2 of the 2.5 million MS patients diagnosed have entered a progressive phase of their MS with 1 million of those being in wheelchairs? What do you offer your non Gd+enhancing, non relapsing progressive patients at Barts for medical treatment?
"Greater than 1/2 of the 2.5 million MS patients diagnosed have entered a progressive phase of their MS with 1 million of those being in wheelchairs?"Look at Dr.Sadiq's stem cell sadly no-one above EDSS 6 really improves but at least progression is stoppped.https://www.ebiomedicine.com/cms/attachment/2119347504/2092552776/gr2.jpghttps://www.ebiomedicine.com/article/S2352-3964(18)30051-3/fulltex
rincipia Pharma has phase 1 drug that can reach B and plasma cells in CNShttps://www.principiabio.com/pipeline/btk-prn2246/Atara Bio has phase 1 allogeneic and phase 2 autologous Tcell therapy by end of the year.Hopefully these will get FDA breakthrough designation and beavailable sooner than usual.
What do you offer your non Gd+enhancing, non relapsing progressive patients at Barts for medical treatment?I dont know as I dont treat people if they are Gadolinium positive, you can guess what I think:-).
Principia Pharma have…they have sold the rights to Sanofi/Genzyme
I have SPMS, suffer from Uhthoff's phenomenon and take Fampridine. This summer I had to take to my bed twice because of Uhthoff's, symptoms are headache and unable to walk. Difficult to say if Fampridine had any effect. I also suffered from all the usual other problems this summer. I am unable to comment on effect of Fampridine in the heat
Check, check, check
I would have loved early treatment, but diagnosis took 6 years, then neurologist put me on an interferon. So, guess it’s too late for the million in wheelchairs.
I have two cooling vests. They weren't cheap and I had to get them from the US. But wearing one meant I could go to my nephew's wedding when it was 28C without any problems. I felt normal when the rest of the congregation were sweating.Here's a site for pwMS reviewing cooling vests. http://www.activemsers.org/tipstricks/choosingacoolingvest.html