New website launched

The MS Society's new website was launched at the AGM in November.

It’s improved design comes with a more interactive character to reflect the latest developments in web technology and can be accessed on the internet at www.mssociety.org.uk Visitors to the website will find it much easier to use. Simple navigation tools means you can find information about MS that you need. The new design also takes into account disability issues, such as vision and mobility.

As well as providing the latest news and information, the website will offer opportunity for visitors to register interest in ongoing campaigns or share views in the book review section. Future developments will include chatrooms and the facility for Branches to use a similar website design and software.

Depression in MS: does uncertainty play a role?

A major aspect for many people with MS is the unpredictability of their condition. This study has been performed to test whether the uncertainty is a cause of depression rather than the symptoms of MS itself.

166 people were involved in the study, with either relapsing-remitting or secondary progressive MS. They were assessed for their level of disability and asked about their medical history, their current symptoms and how they cope with life with MS The study showed that the uncertainty of MS was the key factor in causing
depression and that worsening of MS symptoms increased people’s feelings of uncertainty. The study concluded that health professionals need to be more aware of the importance of recognising periods of increased uncertainty in their patients, and need to provide more support at this time.

This study was reported in MultipleSclerosis Oct 2001, vol 7, pages 237- 242.
Marianne Khalil Ph.D. Research Information 020 8438 0768

Cooling treatment might help MS symptoms

Many people with MS report that their symptoms get worse when they get hot, but that cooling helps. So researchers have developed a ‘cooling vest’ that has recently been tested in a clinical trial. The trial tested whether the vest would improve people’s symptoms and also tried to find out exactly how cooling has an effect.

Ten people with MS, with symptoms affected by heat, were randomly allocated to one of two groups. One group received ‘sham’ cooling (they were only cooled to 26° C while the other group was cooled properly all the way down to 7° C ) Clinical tests were performed before and 3 hours after the 1 hour cooling session.

Proper cooling to 7° C significantly improved peoples’ fatigue, balance and muscle strength in their legs. None of these improvements were observed with the sham cooling. One explanation for the effects of cooling is that it changes people’s
metabolism and subsequently the way the nerves conduct signals. The researchers looked for the chemical signals that might be involved. Analysis of blood samples showed that people with MS have higher levels of the molecule nitric oxide in their blood than people without MS. Cooling reduced the blood nitric oxide levels. Much more research is required to determine whether nitric oxide is responsible for the effects of cooling. If it is, it could point to a new direction for research into new drugs.

This study was published in Neurology Sept 2001, vol 57, pages 892-894.