Saturday, August 8, 2015

Epilepsy Drug to Preserve Vision in MS Patients

From researchers out of the National Hospital For Neurology and Neurosurgery : 86 MS patient's with acute optic neuritis were given Dilantin or a placebo. On average, the patients that received Dilantin demonstrated 30% less damage to the nerve fiber layer compared to placebo recipients and the volume of the macula was 34% higher in the Dilantin group.
Stay tuned ...larger studies to follow.

NEW Skin Test to Diagnose Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases ?!

From researchers in Mexico, a skin biopsy reveal 7x higher levels of phosphorylated tau in Alzheimers and Parkinson's patients compared to controls. Patients with Parkinson's disease had 8x higher levels os alpha-synuclein than healthy controls in their skin biopsies.

Drink LOTS of Coffee and Reduce Your Risk of MS (AD and PD too) !

In two large population-based studies, one in Sweden the other in the US out of Johns Hopkins University SOMed indicates that caffeine intake is associated with a decreased risk of PD and AD and now a suggested neuro-protective effect against MS. 
BUT the amount of coffee drunk to provide protection may make lavatories even more  popular in Starbucks....which ALWAYS seem to be occupied. In the Swedish study 5-10 cups per day. In the US study more than 4 cups per day.