Stakeholders call for more awareness to navigate multiple sclerosis challenges
MS, an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS), causes a breakdown of the protective covering of nerve cells. This leads to a wide range of symptoms, including vision changes, difficulties in walking and balance, numbness, tingling, and fatigue.
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Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Scientists announce over 100 new dementia meds which could be 'start of a cure'
A global review reveals over 100 new dementia drugs which could halt or even reverse the disease are going through clinical trials - including repurposed weight loss injections Over a hundred new drugs which could halt dementia are being developed at the 'start of a journey to a cure', scientists say. Experts have heralded the findings from a global review of drugs going through clinical trials including repurposing drugs for dementia such as weight loss injections. They say we are at a 'tipping point' in the battle against the devastating disease as a study reveals 138 new dementia drugs are going through clinical trials. Of these, 14% reduce dementia symptoms while 86% could halt or even reverse the disease. Only two such 'disease modifying' drugs are currently licensed and come with a risk of serious side effects. Human trials are looking at whether the appetite-suppressing jab semaglutide - known by its brand names Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss - could also reduce brain inflammation and protect neurons. Sheona Scales, director at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: 'Around a third of drugs in the pipeline are repurposed drugs and a really promising example of this is the drug semaglutide, which is currently being trialed in people with mild cognitive impairment. 'I think it's fair to say today that we're at a tipping point in dementia research as we understand more and more about the diseases that drive dementia. This gives us opportunities to slow and ultimately stop this devastating condition. Today's announcement demonstrates that researchers are able to translate these understandings towards potential new treatments." The 138 drugs are now being tested in 182 clinical trials according to the 2025 review published in the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventions. Other existing drugs which could be shown to tackle dementia by lowering brain inflammation include those currently used to treat conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis. Early evidence suggests semaglutide could also reduce the buildup of harmful amyloid plaques and tau tangles associated with Alzheimer's disease. Emma Mead, Chief Scientific Officer at the Oxford Drug Discovery Institute, which is developing dementia drugs, said in future different combinations of medicines could be prescribed to tackle different stages of the disease. She added: 'Semaglutide is really exciting. There might be some exciting advances around that.' Why are we on the cusp of new dementia drugs? In recent years the first two disease modifying drugs against dementia called lecanemab and donanemab were developed and licensed by UK regulators. However they could benefit only one in ten dementia patients and require a very early stage diagnosis - which lack of testing capacity means most patients don't get. The two drugs also come with a risk of dangerous brain swelling and bleeding. Because of this, and the high cost, they are not approved on the NHS. Lecanemab and donanemab were the first drugs to slow the progression of dementia and do this by directing the immune system to clear away sticky amyloid proteins that accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. While the risk of serious side effects make them unsuitable for most dementia patients they were proof of the so-called amyloid hypothesis and mean better drugs targeting this protein are now coming through the research pipeline. Consultant neurologist James Rowe, professor of cognitive neurology at Cambridge University, said: 'The newer ones look more effective and they are a start… on a long journey to getting transformative treatments - a cure for a better word.' How could new drugs work against dementia? The global review of dementia drugs led by the University of Nevada in the US revealed amyloid drugs now make up only a third of the 138 drugs being trialled. Some drugs are being developed to protect the synapses - connections between brain cells which become damaged in Alzheimer's patients. Other drugs are being developed which replace the chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters, involved in sending signals between brain cells which decrease in dementia sufferers. Prof Rowe said: 'Amyloid remains very important, an early trigger of the illness, but once people even come within a few years of symptoms, and certainly by the time they reach clinic, there's lots else happening and many other drivers of the illness. Things that accelerate the illness and might even become more important than amyloid at that later stage of the illness. We see the stress on the brain cells that affects their survivability.' Prof Rowe added: 'There has been a lot of effort put into the amyloid story but in parallel, there's been a huge commitment to the alternative routes to a cure… We will be looking to tailor the right combination of drugs to the right person at the right stage of the illness.' Emma Mead, of the Oxford Drug Discovery Institute, said: "Alzheimer's is a complicated illness. It has many parts to it, but each of those parts in themselves are treatable." The global review shows an 11% increase on dementia drugs going through trials when compared to the previous year. A third of the drugs going through trials are existing medicines currently used to treat different conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and viral diseases. Repurposing existing drugs - which have already been shown to be safe after decades of use in the general population - fast tracks the typical 10 to 15 years of trials and testing it takes to develop completely new drugs. Four late-stage trials are even looking at preventing dementia before it has developed. Prof Rowe said there was an 'aspiration to prevent, not just treat', starting by testing drugs on people who have 'a genetic mutation that more or less guarantees the development of Alzheimer's disease'. Prof Rowe said experimental drugs were being trialled on these people in 'early to mid-life' to see if they stop dementia developing or can delay it. He added: "One of the most exciting things of this report is the number of large-scale late-stage trials on prevention. One way this can work is you take a treatment that you show to be working in people with symptoms with the illness, and then you simply bring it forward by some years." Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research at Alzheimer's Society, said: "This paper shows that 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for Alzheimer's disease drug development. With more trials under way than ever before and more drugs entering the pipeline, there is hope on the horizon for the nearly one million people living with dementia in the UK." If you have concerns about dementia, several resources are available in the UK. You can contact the Alzheimer's Society Dementia Support Line at 0333 150 3456 for information and advice. You can also call the Dementia UK Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline at 0800 888 6678 for specialist support from dementia nurses. Age UK provides advice and support through their Advice Line at 0800 055 6112. Anyone can take part in dementia research whether they are generally healthy, have concerns about memory and thinking or have received a dementia diagnosis. Click HERE to find out more about taking part in dementia trials.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
MS General Election Day: Who are suburban candidates for mayor in, near Jackson metro?
Municipal general election day for the Jackson metro area is right around the corner: Tuesday, June 3. Polls for general elections will open from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Any voter in line at 7 p.m. is legally entitled to cast a ballot, according to the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office. Voters can visit the MSOS' Election Day portal to receive election information for your area. Type in your address to find where your voting precinct is located and who is on your municipalities' ballots. See below the candidates who are running either uncontested or contested for the mayoral races in areas such as Brandon, Canton, Flowood, Pearl and Ridgeland. There is no mayor race in Brandon. Republican incumbent Butch Lee remains the mayor of Brandon, winning re-election during the April 1 primary election. Lee is moving into his fourth term as mayor. Democratic Tim Taylor, Republican Chip Matthews and Independant Walter Peeples are the candidates running in the general election for mayor. Mayor William Truly is not seeking reelection after three terms in office. There is no mayor race in Clinton. Republican incumbent Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher passed the baton to Republican William C. Purdie, who ran unopposed. Fisher announced his retirement in September 2024 after serving as Clinton Mayor since 2013. Independant Incumbent Flora Mayor Les Childress is running unopposed. Childress has served as Flora Mayor since 2009. Jackson Election Day is here: See candidates, polling info and what to expect There is no mayor race in Flowood. Republican Kathy Smith won the April 1 primary election becoming the new mayor of Flowood. Incumbent Mayor Gary Rhoads announced in November 2024 that he would not seek re-election after serving nearly 36 years in the role. Incumbent Mayor Walter C. Morrison IV, a Republican, is running unopposed. There is no mayor race in Madison. Incumbent Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler, Republican ran unopposed for what will be her 12th consecutive term. Hawkins Butler is the second longest-serving female mayor in the nation and began her first term as Madison Mayor in 1981. Republican incumbent Pearl Mayor Jake Windham will face off against independant Willie Robinson in the general election. Graduating in spirit: Mom of deceased MS teen Kadarius Smith attends what would have been his high school graduation in Leland Incumbent Richland Mayor Clay Burns will run against challenger Garsheo "Gus" Black, both of whom are running as independents. Incumbent Mayor Gene F. McGee, a Republican, is running unopposed. McGee has served as Ridgeland Mayor since 1989. During his time as mayor, McGee has served as President of the Mississippi Municipal League and chaired several committees. Pam Dankins is the breaking news reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Have a tip? Email her at pdankins@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson, MS, metro general election mayoral candidates 2025
West Australian
a day ago
- West Australian
Art Without Limits: Bunbury exhibition showcases talent of artists living with neurological conditions
Bunbury's Stirling Street Arts Centre has opened its doors to the rest of the State to showcase the talent of artists living with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions. Art Without Limits — which opened on May 29 — is an exhibition curated by MSWA aiming to highlight the unique perspectives, skills and passions of more than 50 artists from across Western Australia. Coinciding with World MS Day on May 30, the theme of this year's exhibition is 'expression of self', providing a platform for individuals to share their stories and demonstrate who they are, beyond their condition. The free exhibition also opened in Perth last week and featured a diverse collection of paintings, photography, sculpture and mixed media. MSWA client Linda Beach was diagnosed with MS in 1986 after a career working as a nurse. She said the hardest part of living with the condition was its unpredictable nature. 'I think with MS, it's fear,' she said. 'A fear of not knowing what next way it's going to take you.' Ms Beach said she hoped the exhibition would 'wake the public up' to the condition and encourage people to be more compassionate. She recalled a day in the Bunbury town centre, when she fell into the gutter trying to get out of her car. 'Three women walked past me laughing. It was awful,' she said. 'Then a man on a Harley motorbike saw me, turned around, parked his bike, crossed the road and lifted me. He said 'I've got you Nana' and sat me down on the bench'.' Ms Beach's creative piece Frustration symbolises the anger and heartache of living with MS. 'It takes a lot of you away, your independence,' she said. According to MS Australia , two thirds of Australians living with MS face loneliness, often due to stigma, changes in work and the impact on relationships. MSWA chief executive Melanie Kiely said the exhibition was designed to show that people with neurological conditions can push their limits and use their condition as inspiration to achieve 'incredible things'. 'Living with MS and other neurological conditions often means carrying experiences the world can't see,' she said. MSWA community engagement officer Emily Ace said their clients had 'amazing stories, talent, hopes and dreams just like everybody else'. 'We're trying to showcase the people, not just the condition that they live with,' she said. '(We're) just trying to break down that barrier with the general public and show them another side of the amazing people behind those conditions and what they can really do.' The exhibition will run until Thursday June 5 and is open from 9am-4pm.
