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What's New
PubMed · June 1, 2026
Researchers found that people with multiple sclerosis generally felt positive about regularly filling out structured questionnaires — called patient-reported outcome measures — that track how they're feeling physically and emotionally. Patients said these check-ins made them feel more in control of their care and reassured them that their doctors were paying attention to their day-to-day experiences, not just test results. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · June 1, 2026
A study found that people with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS, a disease where the immune system attacks the nerves) safely completed a 12-week program of breathing lower-oxygen air — similar to being at high altitude — for a few hours several times a week, with no serious side effects. Researchers were testing whether this approach might help protect nerve cells in people with MS, and early results hinted at some possible improvements in disability-related measures. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
Lifestyle
PubMed · June 1, 2026
A study found that people with multiple sclerosis who took part in line dancing classes showed meaningful improvements in their balance, anxiety levels, and overall quality of life compared to those who didn't dance. Line dancing is a group exercise where everyone follows the same steps together, set to music — no partner needed. Researchers found it had a positive effect on both physical steadiness and mental well-being in people living with MS.
Guidelines
PubMed · June 1, 2026
According to American College of Radiology (ACR) guidelines, MRI — a detailed scanning technique that uses magnets rather than radiation — is the recommended imaging tool for diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS) and related conditions, because it is far better than a standard CT scan at spotting the small areas of nerve damage these diseases cause. The guidelines also note that updated 2024 diagnostic standards now allow doctors to identify MS with much greater accuracy by looking for specific patterns in MRI images, which means patients may get a clearer answer sooner. This matters because finding the right diagnosis quickly helps doctors choose the most appropriate path forward for each person.
What's New
PubMed · May 30, 2026
A study found that ocrelizumab, a medication used to treat primary progressive multiple sclerosis (a form of MS where symptoms gradually worsen from the start), may help slow the loss of hand function and overall physical ability — even in older patients or those already living with more significant disability. This matters because people with this form of MS have historically had fewer treatment options, and preserving hand function can make a real difference in daily life tasks like dressing, cooking, or writing. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether ocrelizumab might help slow down the patient's disability progression in primary progressive multiple sclerosis, especially for preserving hand function.
What's New
PubMed · May 30, 2026
Researchers found that giving people with multiple sclerosis a higher, body-weight-adjusted dose of the MS drug ocrelizumab did not work better than the standard dose at slowing disability progression — meaning patients didn't lose physical abilities more slowly on the higher dose. This matters because it suggests the currently approved standard dose may already be near the sweet spot, and going higher doesn't appear to add extra benefit. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether the patient should know about a higher dose of ocrelizumab than the standard 600 mg dose, and whether that might work better for keeping the patient's disability from getting worse.
What's New
PubMed · May 26, 2026
A study found that injecting a person's own stem cells — cells taken from their bone marrow and delivered directly into the fluid around the spinal cord — did not show the main improvement researchers were looking for in people with progressive multiple sclerosis, a form of MS where symptoms gradually worsen over time. However, researchers did notice that people who received the stem cells showed less brain shrinkage on MRI scans at six months, which is a potentially encouraging sign since brain shrinkage is linked to worsening disability in MS. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · May 21, 2026
A study found that people with progressive multiple sclerosis who took part in a 12-week cognitive rehabilitation program — structured mental exercises designed to strengthen thinking skills — showed increased activity and communication between key brain networks compared to those who did not do the program. These brain changes were still visible six months later, and some were weakly linked to improvements in verbal memory, meaning the ability to remember spoken or written information. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · May 15, 2026
Researchers found that a technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) — which uses a mild electrical current applied to the scalp to gently stimulate the brain — may help improve thinking speed and physical mobility in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition where the immune system damages the nervous system over time. In the studies reviewed, people with MS who received tDCS showed meaningful improvements in how quickly they could process information and how smoothly they could move around. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · May 12, 2026
Researchers found that taking aspirin before exercise may help people with multiple sclerosis (MS) work out longer before exhaustion sets in, and may also help keep their body temperature from rising too much afterward — which matters because many people with MS feel significantly worse when they overheat. The findings were mixed across the small number of studies reviewed, so the picture isn't fully clear yet. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · May 8, 2026
A study found that a ketogenic diet — a very low-carbohydrate, high-fat eating pattern — may help reduce fatigue, improve sleep, and lower feelings of depression and anxiety in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Researchers followed 16 people with MS who followed the diet for three months and saw meaningful improvements in how tired and mentally drained participants felt. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether the patient should try a ketogenic diet to help with MS-related fatigue, and whether this would be safe for the patient to attempt.
What's New
PubMed · May 1, 2026
Researchers found that a simple blood test measuring a protein called neurofilament light chain (NfL) — which leaks into the bloodstream when nerve cells are damaged — may help doctors track how multiple sclerosis (MS) is progressing in their patients, even before symptoms noticeably worsen. This could give doctors an earlier signal that the disease is becoming more active, potentially helping them make better-informed decisions about a patient's care alongside brain scans and regular check-ups. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · May 1, 2026
Researchers found that cladribine tablets — a treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (a form of MS where symptoms come and go in episodes) — may work as well as or better than many other MS medications, particularly for people with highly active disease, meaning their MS is progressing more aggressively. The analysis looked at data from 54 clinical studies and compared cladribine to 19 other treatments, finding that while no single therapy stood out as clearly superior, cladribine showed favorable results in reducing both disability progression and the rate of MS relapses (flare-ups). This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether cladribine tablets might work better than the patient's current MS treatment, especially if the patient has been having a lot of relapses or disability progression recently.
What's New
PubMed · May 1, 2026
Researchers found that among people with multiple sclerosis, mindfulness practices were the only type of sleep intervention that improved sleep efficiency — meaning people were actually spending more of their time in bed asleep rather than lying awake. This matters because poor sleep is very common in people with MS and can affect daily life, yet most approaches tested (including exercise, medication, and therapy) didn't show a measurable improvement when tracked with wrist-worn activity monitors. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · May 1, 2026
A study found that a small number of people with multiple sclerosis who were treated with ocrelizumab — a medication that works by reducing certain immune cells — developed a condition called neutropenia, meaning their infection-fighting white blood cells dropped to dangerously low levels. Most cases were serious enough to need hospital care, but all patients recovered, typically within about four to five days, and no deaths were reported. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether the patient should have blood work done to check white blood cell counts after starting ocrelizumab, since neutropenia can happen as a rare side effect of this medicine.
What's New
PubMed · May 1, 2026
A study found that dalfampridine — a medication already used to help with walking in multiple sclerosis — may also improve thinking and memory skills and reduce fatigue in people with mild to moderate MS symptoms. Researchers followed about 89 people over three months and found that those taking the medication did noticeably better on thinking tests and reported less fatigue compared to those taking a sugar pill. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · May 1, 2026
A study found that people with a more advanced form of multiple sclerosis (called secondary progressive MS) who used a special exercise bike — either one that sends gentle electrical pulses to the muscles to help them pedal, or one they pedaled passively — both showed some improvements in movement and balance over 12 weeks. Interestingly, neither approach was clearly better than the other, suggesting that simply getting on the bike and moving may offer some benefit regardless of the electrical stimulation. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · April 22, 2026
Researchers found that people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (a form of MS where symptoms come and go) who took part in a structured program combining mental leisure activities, aerobic exercise, and regular social interaction showed better scores on thinking and processing speed tests after 6 months compared to those who received standard care. The idea behind the program is that keeping the brain actively engaged may help protect against the thinking and memory difficulties that can come with MS. However, these thinking improvements were not seen at the 12-month follow-up, which raises questions about how long the benefits last. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · April 22, 2026
A study found that certain biologic drugs — called monoclonal antibodies, which are lab-made proteins that target specific parts of the immune system — worked better than standard treatments at reducing flare-ups and brain inflammation in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, a form of MS where symptoms come and go. However, researchers found mixed results when it came to slowing long-term disability, and these drugs did come with notable side effects like infections and immune system reactions. People with MS may want to ask their doctor whether these types of treatments could be an option, especially if their current treatment isn't keeping their symptoms well under control.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether monoclonal antibody drugs like natalizumab or alemtuzumab might work better for the patient's relapsing-remitting MS than the current treatment if the disease is not staying well controlled.
What's New
PubMed · April 17, 2026
Researchers found that a type of talk therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) — which helps people recognize and shift unhelpful thought patterns — can meaningfully reduce depression in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The good news is that it worked whether it was done in person, online, or by phone, and improvements started showing up after about two months and lasted up to six months after the therapy ended. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · April 16, 2026
Researchers found that the brains of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) showed signs of aging about 8 years faster than expected for their actual age — and this 'extra' brain aging was linked to poorer balance and less physical activity in daily life, even after accounting for how old or disabled someone was. They measured this using MRI scans that estimate brain age based on the thickness and size of different brain regions, then compared that estimate to a person's real age. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · April 16, 2026
Researchers found that iron buildup in certain deep parts of the brain — specifically areas called the basal ganglia, which help control thinking and movement — is consistently linked to worse mental performance in people with multiple sclerosis, particularly slower thinking speed and difficulty with tasks that require planning or focus. This was detected using a specialized type of MRI scan that can pick up on iron levels in brain tissue. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · April 1, 2026
Researchers found that when people with a severe form of multiple sclerosis (called primary progressive MS) took very high doses of melatonin — a supplement often used for sleep — alongside their MS medication ocrelizumab, several participants developed elevated liver enzymes, which is a sign that the liver may be under stress or getting damaged. The concern was serious enough that the study had to be stopped early before it could be completed. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether the patient should avoid taking high-dose melatonin supplements while taking ocrelizumab, since a recent study had to stop early because the combination caused liver problems in some patients.
Lifestyle
PubMed (Open Access Guidelines) · April 1, 2026
Researchers found that among women living with multiple sclerosis — a condition where the immune system attacks the nervous system, affecting movement and mood — six different types of exercise (including yoga, resistance training, and aerobic activity like walking or cycling) all helped reduce fatigue and improve physical and emotional wellbeing. Yoga ranked highest for fighting fatigue, while all six exercise types outperformed doing no structured exercise at all. The study looked at 16 smaller studies combined, totaling 579 participants.
What's New
PubMed · March 31, 2026
A study found that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who used a nurse-guided, interactive website called 'I Can Manage' for eight weeks got better at managing their own condition day-to-day, compared to those who didn't use it. However, the program didn't seem to make a noticeable difference in fatigue — the exhaustion that often comes with MS — or feelings of anxiety. Most participants found the program easy to use, which suggests online tools could be a practical way to support people living with MS. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · March 30, 2026
Researchers found that taking probiotics — live beneficial bacteria, often found in yogurt or supplements — may help lower certain markers of inflammation in the body, and this effect was especially noticeable in people with rheumatoid arthritis, a condition where the immune system attacks the joints. The study looked at 12 smaller studies involving 703 people with various autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly targets the body's own tissues, and found that probiotic supplements were linked to reductions in several key inflammation signals. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · March 30, 2026
Researchers found that certain proteins measured in blood or spinal fluid may help doctors better understand what's happening in the brains of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) — even when standard MRI scans look relatively quiet. One protein called NfL appeared to signal active flare-ups and inflammation, while another called GFAP seemed to reflect a slower, ongoing type of nerve damage that continues even between flare-ups. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
What's New
PubMed · March 27, 2026
Researchers found that certain medications used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) — which work by calming an overactive immune system — can raise the risk of reactivating dormant viruses like chickenpox (also known as varicella-zoster) and cold sore viruses (herpes simplex), which normally lie quietly in the body after a first infection. In particular, a drug called alemtuzumab was linked to noticeably higher reactivation rates compared to another drug called fingolimod, meaning people taking it may be more likely to experience outbreaks of these viruses. This matters because it suggests that people with MS on these treatments may benefit from closer monitoring for these viral infections, though this is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
Ask your doctor: Ask the doctor whether the patient should be screened for or vaccinated against shingles and cold sores before starting or while taking their MS medication, since these treatments can increase the risk of these viruses waking up in the body.
Medications
PubMed · March 25, 2026
A study found that ponesimod (brand name Ponvory), a pill taken once daily, helped reduce the number of relapses — meaning flare-ups of symptoms — in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis over a five-year period. Researchers found that people who stayed on ponesimod the entire time had fewer relapses than those who started on a different medication and later switched to it, suggesting that starting it earlier may offer more benefit. This appears to be a long-term safety and effectiveness update for an existing treatment option, showing that the medication remained reasonably well tolerated over time.
What's New
PubMed · March 13, 2026
Researchers found no clear link between using hormonal contraceptives — birth control methods that use synthetic versions of female hormones, like the pill or patch — and the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition where the immune system attacks the nervous system. The findings were mixed across the studies reviewed, and when researchers focused only on the highest-quality studies, no meaningful connection appeared. This is early research and hasn't yet changed treatment guidelines.
For informational purposes only. Not medical advice. Always consult a physician before making any health decisions.