Sclerosi multipla

A synthesis of current concepts about the evaluation, treatment, and future directions in MS. On the evaluation side, the authors review the use of MRI, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, functional MRI, and three-dimensional MRI, and consider the rapidly developing body of pathologic information they have yielded. On the treatment side, the focus is on recently approved medications (Novantrone), new indications for medications (CHAMPS Trial), medications in development (Oral Interferon Tau, Oral Copaxone, and Oral Cellcept), immunosuppressive therapy for both progressive disease and symptomatic therapy; the current medications for treating relapsing-remitting MS (Avonex, Betaseron, and Copaxone) are also discussed. For future directions, the authors present the current best thinking, as well as the latest discoveries in immunology relating to MS, including groundbreaking B-cell research and its applications to specific immunotherapies, and the use of immune markers for tracking the disease.

Knowledge has been described as being like an expanding sphere with the volume of knowledge contacting a surface on the unknown. This new comprehensive review of the many fields of basic and clinical research that impact our understanding of multiple sclerosis has its basis in this premise. In doing research on MS it is not enough to know clinical neurology or neurochemistry or neuroanatomy or pathology; it is important to understand the many other areas that relate to them. This volume provides an overview of MS related research and will benefit many investigators in the field and help to advance our efforts to cure this, thus far intractable, disease.

The huge expansion of information available about MS, not least on the Internet, has put the individual with MS in a position to take increasing responsibility for her or his own care. There is thus a need for a comprehensive, readily accessible guide to the present therapeutic options, which will give the inquirer a balanced guide to the relative effectiveness of individual treatments. This book is designed to do just that. This bestselling title is a unique compendium of the most frequently used treatments for multiple sclerosis, an authoritative reference for all physicians, and a factual guide for patients who need information about therapies. This new edition has been extensively revised both in content and format from previous editions. Its organization into sections dealing with the treatment of acute exacerbations, disease-modifying therapies, symptom management, and alternative therapies makes the book much more accessible to the reader. The title has been changed from "Therapeutic Claims in Multiple Sclerosis" to reflect the major restructuring of this edition and to better describe the range and focus of the content.