Medical Marijuana Might Help MS Patients, But Uncertainty Remains

FRIDAY, Oct. 12, 2018 -- Medical products derived from marijuana might have a mild benefit in treating symptoms of multiple sclerosis, based on reports from patients.

Drugs containing the major chemical compounds in cannabis are associated with a limited and mild reduction in muscle contractions, bladder dysfunction and pain, based on patient self-assessments from clinical trials included in a major new evidence review.

For Many With MS, Well-Being Increases With Age

FRIDAY, Sept. 28, 2018 -- Living with a potentially disabling condition like multiple sclerosis (MS) can be difficult, but new research suggests patients get better at dealing with it over time.

"There's an aging paradox in healthy adults. We expect people who are older to be more depressed and anxious because of aging processes [such as physical aches and pain and losing friends and family], but instead, people who are older tend to be less depressed and have better well-being in comparison to younger adults," said study author Yael Goverover.

New Drug Could Help Kids With MS

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 12, 2018 -- Researchers say the first drug for children with multiple sclerosis vastly outperformed another common MS medication in a new clinical trial.

Fingolimod (Gilenya) reduced relapse rates by 82 percent in patients aged 10 to 17 compared with interferon beta-1a, a drug commonly used to slow the progression of the degenerative nerve disease.