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    Antibiotic may slow MS progress

    Posted on 11/12/2007

    The progress of multiple sclerosis (MS) may be slowed by adding an antibiotic to a medication currently used to treat the disease, according to new research.

    Scientists at Louisiana State University conducted the research, which looked at 15 patients with relapsing remitting MS, the most common form of the disease.

    Relapsing remitting MS patients suffer from attacks of symptoms such as muscle weakness and spasms followed by periods of remission.

    The research found that 60% of the patients who took the antibiotic doxycycline, in addition to standard drug therapy, had more than a 25% reduction in the number of brain lesions shown on MRI scans from the beginning of the study.

    The patients also scored better on a scale which assesses disability levels.

    Only one patient relapsed. Adverse effects were not severe and did not include any new effects associated with combining the medications.

    The report's authors write: 'There is growing interest in combination therapy in patients with MS to stabilize the clinical course, reduce the rate of clinical relapses and decelerate the progressive course of the underlying pathologic mechanism.'

    They added that the combination of treatments 'may be safe and effective in some patients with MS; however, further controlled clinical trials are warranted to demonstrate safety and efficacy in a larger patient population.'



    Category: Health


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