Preclinical Testing of Novel Small Molecules Inhibits Neurodegeneration: Implications for the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Cole D. Libner
College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada; Office of the Saskatchewan MS Clinical Research Chair, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada

Fear of Falling and Concern about Falling in Individuals with Relapsing-Remitting MS and Progressive MS

Taylor N. Takla, Wayne State University
Patricia N. Matsuda, University of Washington
Tracy E Herring, University of Washington Medical Center
Nora E. Fritz, Wayne State University
Ana M. Daugherty, Wayne State University

Targeted CSF Proteomics as a Tool For Analyzing Immunophenotype Heterogeneity In Multiple Sclerosis

Saurabh Kumar, BS, Department of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA | Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA
Khashayar Afshari, MD, MPH, Department of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
Alexandra Rabin, BA, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA
Farnaz Khalighinejad, MD, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA
Nimmy Francis, PhD, MBBS, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA
Fatima Qutab, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
Danny Kwong, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
Irina Radu, MD, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA Idanis Berrios-Morales, MD, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA
Christopher Hemond, MD, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA Dalia Abou Zeki, MD, Atrium Health Neurosciences Institute Neurology Kenilworth, Charlotte, NC
Jillian M Richmond, PhD, Department of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA
and Carolina Ionete, MD, PhD, Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, Worcester

Utility of the Nih Toolbox Cognition Battery in Multiple Sclerosis

Anita Shankar, M.S., Heena R. Manglani, M.A., Oyetunde Gbadeyan, Ph.D. and Ruchika S. Prakash, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Dysfunctional RNA Binding Protein Biology As Contributors to the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Disease of the Central Nervous System

Hannah Salapa, University of Saskatchewan
Cole Libner, University of Saskatchewan
Kara Tastad, University of Saskatchewan
Michael C. Levin, University of Saskatchewan

Metabolomics Analysis Identifies Abnormal Bile Acid Metabolism in Multiple Sclerosis

Leah Mische, BS, Johns Hopkins University

Establishing the Relationship of Quantitative Vibratory Sensation and Sensory Cortical Areas in Multiple Sclerosis

Nora E. Fritz, PhD, PT, DPT, NCS, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

Impacts of Dalfampridine on Interhemispheric Relationships in MS

Ioan Belovarski, BS , Mind Research Network, Albuquerque, NM
Jeffrey D Lewine, PhD , Mind Research Network, Albuquerque, NM
Corey C Ford, MD, PhD , Department of Neurology, UNM Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM

Evaluating Cerebellar Contributions to Physical Performance and Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis

Nora E Fritz, PhD, PT, DPT, NCS, Kennedy Krieger Institute; Chuyang Ye, BS, Johns Hopkins University; Jerry Prince, PhD, Johns Hopkins University; Zhen Yang, BS, Johns Hopkins University; Jennifer Keller, PT, Kennedy Krieger Institute; Allen Jiang, BS, Kennedy Krieger Institute; Chen Chun Chiang, B.S., Kennedy Krieger Institute; Rhul Marasigan, B.A., Kennedy Krieger Institute; Peter A Calabresi, MD, FAAN, Johns Hopkins University; Kathleen M Zackowski, PhD, OT, Johns Hopkins University

Right Under Our Noses: Olfactory Pathology in Central Nervous System Demyelinating Diseases

Albert Joseph, MRes, University of Oxford; Jithin George, MRCP, University of Oxford; Richard Yates, BSc, University of Oxford; Marie Hamard, MSc, University of Oxford; Margaret Esiri, FRCPath, University of Oxford; Gabriele C DeLuca, MD, DPhil, University of Oxford

Best Poster by a Young Investigator
Interhemispheric Relationships In Multiple Sclerosis: Evaluation By MEG, EEG, and MRI
Ioan Belovarski, BS, UNM Health Sciences Center

Other Authors: Erik V Burton, MD, UNM Health Sciences Center; Jeffrey D Lewine, PhD, UNM Health Sciences Center; Corey C Ford, MD, PhD, UNM Health Sciences Center

Best Platform Presentation by a Young Investigator
Fingolimod inhibits cytotoxic T cells: A novel immunomodulatory effect of the unphosphorylated compound
Achilles Ntranos, MD, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Other Authors: Inna V Grishkan, BS, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Dionne P Robinson, BS, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Olivia J Hall, MSc, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Sabra L Klein, PhD, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Peter A Calabresi, MD, FAAN, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Anne R Gocke, PhD, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Best Overall Research by a Young Investigator
Stat1 Regulates Neural Stem-Cell Function By Transcriptional Regulation of Sox9
Jaime Imitola, MD, Harvard Medical School

Haiyan Peng, PhD, The Ohio State University,  Best Overall Work

Dimethyl Fumarate Protects the Central Nervous System Against Excitotoxicity

In the past twenty years, significant progress has been made in both understanding the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and treatment of patients with MS.  MS seems to be more complicated than just inflammation: in fact, accumulating evidence demonstrates that neurodegeneration is also a large component of MS pathogenesis and contributes to disease progression. This is evidenced by the failure of current therapies to slow down continuous brain atrophy in secondary or primary progressive MS patients (SPMS or PPMS). Therefore, a new challenge for MS research is to develop effective neuroprotective interventions for progressive forms of MS.

One project of my graduate work is to determine the potential neuroprotective effects of dimethyl fumarate (DMF, BG-12 as the brand name), a novel oral medication under the evaluation of Federal Drug Administration. To exclude the strong immunological component (for example in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalitomyelitis), an excitotoxic model of neuro-injury was utilized in our study. Our preliminary data demonstrated that pre-treatment of DMF successfully reduced acute neuronal damage. Moreover, these treated mice had better motor activity compared to untreated mice, suggesting the possible protective effects of DMF.  Currently, we are in the process of evaluating the effects of DMF in mice with chronic excitotoxic injury and exploring the molecular mechanisms through which DMF exerts its protective effects in the CNS.  We believe that this work will not only help enhance our understanding of MS, but it will also provide a mechanistic foundation for DMF treatment of progressive MS.

Gloria von Geldern, MD, Johns Hopkins University, Best Poster Presentation

Hand Function in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease that can affect several areas of the central nervous system and may lead to problems with vision, bladder control, sensation, coordination, or strength.  Rating scales can help measure these symptoms and the resulting disability.  Most rating scales strongly emphasize impairments in walking when measuring disability in MS. Hand dysfunction is not frequently assessed in MS patients and therefore little is know about the frequency and severity of hand problems.  There is also very limited data on how to best measure hand function in MS patients.  However, the ability to use your hands impacts quality of life and is critical for maintaining independence in many life tasks. To better evaluate this issue, Drs. von Geldern and Zackowsky at the Johns Hopkins MS Center and Kennedy Krieger Institute are studying hand function in more than a hundred patients with MS, evaluating grip and pinch strength measured with a dynamometer as well as nine-hole-peg test and finger tapping test.  The study found that hand dysfunction is a common problem in MS, in particular in individuals with the progressive disease form.  More than a third of patients with progressive MS have grip strength less than 50% of healthy controls.  The study also shows that grip strength and the nine-hole-peg test measure different aspects of hand dysfunction, suggesting that both tests should be included when evaluating upper extremity disability in MS.  The next step is to study hand function longitudinally.  This will help determine how well these tests are able to detect changes in hand function and to quantify the extent that hand function changes in individuals with MS.  This information will be important when designing trials that study the effect of rehabilitation interventions for individuals with MS.  It may also be a helpful tool when developing medications aimed to help individuals with MS regain function by promoting remyelination.

Rachel Tripoli, 3rd year Medical Student, Florida State University College, Best Platform Presentation

Deficient Contrast Visual Acuity In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis Degrades Gait Performance Under Conditions Of Low Illumination

This study was a pilot study of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have reduced visual acuity and it demonstrated a correlation between a low functional ambulation profile (FAP) score and increased fall risk.  This risk shown to be minimized by the wearing of contrast enhancing lenses.

The 2011 Whitaker awardee is Mireia Guerau-de-Arellano, PharmD, PhD, a Postdoctoral Researcher affiliated with the Neurology Department of The Ohio State University. Her presentation is titled, “miRNA Biomarkers Modulate T-cell differentiation in Multiple Sclerosis.” Dr. Guerau-de-Arellano states: “My ultimate goal is to further our understanding of the basis of susceptibility to MS, while developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this disease. I am very grateful for the financial aid and the prestige associated with this award, which are already helping me accomplish these goals.”

Robert Axtell, PhD, Stanford University, received the 2010 Whitaker Award for MS Research.  Simarian with Whitaker This annual prize, funded by the FCMSC through a three-year grant from EMD Serono, Inc, recognizes excellence among emerging clinician-scientists participating in the CMSC’s Whitaker Track scientific sessions focusing on the pathophysiology and immunology of MS.

Th1 And Th17 Pathways Determine Opposite Results Of Interferon Beta Treatment Of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis And Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

The 2009 Whitaker Prize was awarded to Allison Drake, MSc, Jacobs Neurological Institute, State University of New York at Allison Drake, MScBuffalo. Her work on “Changes in Self-Reported MSPhysical Measures Reflect Clinically Meaningful Changes in Ambulation ” was judged to have a substantial promise to increase the understanding of the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis. The other members of the team are Paulette Niewczyk, Barbara Teter, Bianca Weinstock-Guttman, Cornelia Mihai, Carl Granger, and Frederick Munschauer

Peixuan Zheng, PhD
Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL.

Peixuan Zheng,¹, Brian M. Sandroff,^2,3, Robert W. Motl1^1
1Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL; ²
Center for Neuropsychology and Neuroscience Research, Kessler Foundation, West Orange, NJ; ³Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ

Free-Living Ambulatory Physical Activity and Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis: The Significance of Step Rate Vs. Step Volume

Laura A Swink, PhD, OTR/L, et al
Laura A Swink, PhD, OTR/L, ^1,2,3, Wesley Thornton, DPT², Kathryn A Nearing, PhD, MA^1,2, Mark M Manago, PT, PhD^1,2,4 and University of Colorado
(1)Eastern Colorado Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Veterans Administration, Aurora, CO, (2)Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, (3)Research, Veterans Administration, Aurora, CO, (4)Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO

Blood Flow Restriction in People With Advanced Multiple Sclerosis: “Now I Have A Sliver Of Hope That I Might Be Able To Build Some Strength”

Catherine D Jones, MSPH, et al
Physical Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

Do Device-Measured Physical Activity And Sedentary Behavior Differ By Depression Symptom Status In Persons With MS?

Juweiriya Ahmed, et al
Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada

Associations of Structural Visual Metrics with Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in Youth with Pediatric Onset Neuroinflammatory Disorders

Min H Huang, PT, PhD, NCS, et al
University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, MI

Inspiratory Muscle Training Improved Participation in Structured Group Activity but Not Fatigue in Non-Ambulatory Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Tiffany Malone, MSW, MSCS
Brian Hutchinson, PT, MSCS

Dignity Health, Citrus Heights, CA

Does Participation in a Weekly Day Wellness Program Improve Overall Quality of Life for a Person Living with Multiple Sclerosis?

Cecilie Fjeldstad, PhD
Amy Thiessen, PT
Gabriel Pardo, MD

MS Center of Excellence, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Oklahoma City, OK

Telerehabilitation in MS: Gait, Balance, and Patient-Reported Outcomes

Kathleen Costello, MS, ANP-BC, MSCN
Vice president of Healthcare Access, National Multiple Sclerosis Society
New York, NY

Brain Health: Time Matters in Multiple Sclerosis – Developmental Process and Objectives of International Consensus Policy Recommendations

Yvonne C Learmonth, PhD
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL
Robert Motl,  PhD
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL

Physical Activity and Exercise Training in Multiple Sclerosis: A Quality Review and Content Analysis of Perceived Determinants and Consequences

Evan T Cohen, PT, MA, PhD, NCS
Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Stratford, NJ

A Pilot Study of the Effects of an 8-Week Integrative Yoga Program on Function and Quality of Life in Persons with Moderate MS-Related Disability

Rajarshi Mazumder, BS
Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University
Portland, OR

The Fes-I Predicts Falls and ABC Scores In People With Multiple Sclerosis

The 2012 awardee, Sangeeta T. Mahajan, MD, F.A.C.O.G., of University Hospitals Case at Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, presented research titled, “Pelvic Floor Disorders and Multiple Sclerosis: Are Patients Satisfied with their Care?”  Dr. Majahan holds a dual appointment in Obstretrics and Gynecology and Urology.  She is recognized nationally for her work on Botulinium A Toxin for the treatment of refractory overactive bladder and outcomes research.
Her team’s work is important to multiple sclerosis, and has been actively aided by Ruth Ann Marrie, MD, MS, FRCPC(C) and Tuula Tryry, PhD, MAED, both affiliated with the NARCOMS MS Patient Registry. 

2011 Labe Scheinberg has been awarded to Brittany Thorne,  for her project titled “Computer Assisted Cognitive Rehabilitation for Multiple Sclerosis: Updated Findings.“ 

Susan Bennett,
Neurology, Jacobs Neurological Institute
University of Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

VALIDITY, RELIABILITY, AND SENSITIVITY OF THREE GAIT MEASURES IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

2009 Labe Scheinberg awardees were Katrina Williams, Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist, Master’s of Applied Science, Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Grad Cert Higher Education from University of Queensland, Australia and Phu Hoang, Doctorate of Physiotherapy, Bachelor of Physiotherapy from Multiple Sclerosis Society of New South Wales, Victoria, Australia. Their work entitled “Two Physiotherapy Models of Service Delivery for People with Multiple Sclerosis” was recognized as the most outstanding work in neurorehabilitation in MS, presented at the CMSC Annual Meeting by the Foundation of the CMSC.

Jose A. Cabrera-Gomez, MD, PhD, FAAN from International Neurological Restoration Center in Havana, Cuba was the recipient of the 2008 Labe Scheinberg award.