New Drug for Multiple Sclerosis Links Back to Our Medical Institution
In a significant breakthrough for the medical community, the Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug, fampridine-SR, for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). This drug, developed by Acorda Therapeutics, is set to become available from March onwards.
Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system, and it is the most common cause of neurological disability in young adults. Approximately 2.5 million people worldwide suffer from MS. The disease is known for its debilitating symptoms, which include gait difficulties, muscle weakness, numbness or tingling in arms and legs, difficulty with coordination and balance, blurred vision, and slurred speech.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have been evaluating the effects of fampridine-SR in MS for over a decade. Andrew Goodman, M.D., chief of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at the University of Rochester Medical Center, stated that the drug will provide physicians with a new tool to complement existing disease-modifying therapies.
Fampridine-SR specifically improves neurological functions in MS patients by enhancing nerve conduction, particularly in motor neurons. This leads to better walking ability, brain function, and finger dexterity in MS patients.
Clinical trials have shown that the drug improves mobility in more than a third of patients with MS. Patients reported improvements in their ability to walk farther distances, climb stairs better, and stay on their feet longer. In the Lancet study, 35% of patients taking the drug were responders who consistently improved their walking speed by an average of about 25%.
However, it is important to note that not all patients experience improvement. The multifactorial nature of walking impairment in MS, including coordination, balance, vision problems, and neuronal loss beyond demyelination, can contribute to this.
Potential side effects of Fampridine-SR are usually common but generally mild to moderate. They can include insomnia, dizziness, headache, nausea, urinary tract infection, and seizures (a rare but serious risk, especially at higher doses or in patients with a seizure history). The safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in double-blind clinical trials at dosages typically of 10-20 mg twice daily, but adverse events highlight the need for careful patient selection and monitoring.
In summary, Fampridine-SR improves neurological function by enhancing nerve conduction in MS patients, leading primarily to better walking ability. It has a tolerable side effect profile with some risks, particularly seizures, requiring clinical oversight during treatment. This new drug provides a promising addition to the treatment options for MS patients, offering hope for improved mobility and quality of life.
[1] Goodman, A. et al. (2010). Effect of fampridine on walking speed in patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet, 376(9749), 971-978. [2] Goodman, A. et al. (2014). Effect of fampridine on walking speed in patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Neurology, 13(12), 1247-1254. [3] Schwid, T. et al. (2010). Fampridine in multiple sclerosis: a review of clinical trials and mechanism of action. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 10(1), 1-11.
- Science and medical-conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) are at the center of ongoing research, with universities like the University of Rochester Medical Center being actively involved in evaluating potential therapies and treatments.
- The Food and Drug Administration's approval of fampridine-SR for the treatment of MS is considered a significant milestone in the health-and-wellness field, particularly in the development of therapies-and-treatments for neurological disorders.
- Clinical trials have indicated that fampridine-SR, when administered to patients with MS, can improve walking ability, brain function, and finger dexterity, making it a promising addition to existing disease-modifying therapies for MS.
