ClinicSpeak: understanding trigeminal neuralgia in MS
Professor Gavin Giovannoni Department of Neurology
Royal London Hospital
“The study below shows no correlation with low baseline vD levels and future disability progression. However, it did show a correlation with relapses in young pwMS. I am not surprised by this data as it is becoming increasingly clear in established MS that low levels of vD levels may be due to reverse causation, i.e. inflammatory disease activity lowers vD levels rather than the low vD levels driving inflammatory disease activity. The latter is called the consumptive vD hypothesis. Please note this interpretation does not apply to disease susceptibility, i.e. low vD levels are an important risk factor for developing MS. To test the latter hypothesis we need to population-based prevention studies.”
“You may ask, based on my interpretation of this data, why do we recommend vD supplementation to people with an established diagnosis of MS? We do this as part of our holistic approach to the management of MS and do it for bone and general health. I tell my patients that based on the current evidence we can’t support the use of vD as a DMT in MS. There are ongoing trials addressing this question; we will need to wait to see the results.”
The aim of this Blog is for the Barts and The London Neuroimmunology Group to update you on the latest research in MS with an emphasis on the research we are involved in. A major reason for maintaining the Blog is to thank the funders of our research. Funders encourage us to engage with the general public, people with MS and their families and other people with an interest in MS. We believe you have the right to know what we are spending your research money on! The purpose of our work is to improve our knowledge and understanding of MS with the goal of improving the lives of people living with this disease.
Professor Gavin Giovannoni
The aim of this Blog is for the Barts and The London Neuroimmunology Group to update you on the latest research in MS with an emphasis on the research we are involved in. A major reason for maintaining the Blog is to thank the funders of our research. Funders encourage us to engage with the general public, people with MS and their families and other people with an interest in MS. We believe you have the right to know what we are spending your research money on! The purpose of our work is to improve our knowledge and understanding of MS with the goal of improving the lives of people living with this disease.
