News

Global employment survey

Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) is conducting a global survey to discover how having MS impacts employment. The global body, which links the activities of national MS societies around the world, will release the findings on World MS Day – held this year on May 26.

According to MSIF, the largest economic impact of MS is early retirement. The survey, which takes about five minutes to complete, is hoped to give new insight into the issues surrounding working with MS.

This year’s World MS Day is based on the theme of employment. For more information or to take the survey, click here .

MS risk increases with common virus infection

Researchers in the United States have discovered a strong link between the Epstein-Barr virus, one of the world’s most common human viruses, and the risk of developing multiple sclerosis.

A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health and Walter Reed Army Institute found the likelihood of MS increases when a person is infected with EBV. Their findings implicate EBV – a herpes virus – as a “contributory cause” of the disease.

Hundreds of thousands of individuals not infected with EBV were observed over several years and researchers were able to determine the point when individuals developed the virus and its relation to MS onset.

Immunotherapy service at Dutton Park

MS Queensland nurses Bernie Gazzard and Tim O’Maley have recommenced an immunotherapy service at Granston Lodge in Dutton Park. You can come to us or we can come to you. Call Bernie on 3840 0856 or Tim on 3840 0855 for more details.

Australian Researchers Discover How MS Genes Works to Cause MS

The Australian scientists who in 2007 discovered the MS susceptibility gene IL-7Ra have gone on to uncover how it might be working, opening the door to potentially new approaches to treat MS.

Prof Claude Bernard from Monash University highlights “This is an important and significant piece of MS research, showing that genetic variations in the IL-7 receptor alpha chain, influence the development of immune cells. More over, these findings may soon allow us to differentiate healthy individuals from those with MS as well as other neurological disorders.”

Employment and MS Study

When should I tell my employer? What will happen? How can I stay at work as long as possible?

These are questions often asked by people in the workforce living with a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.

Recent results from large sample surveys of People with MS by the Australian MS Longitudinal Study, ( Rex D. Simmons, Kate L. Tribe, Elizabeth a. McDonald) show some important information with implications for these people, their employers and their health professionals.

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