Episode 202: The MS Prodrome with Dr. Helen Tremlett

In medicine, a prodrome is a set of signs or symptoms that can appear years before the major symptoms of an illness develop. Recognizing the prodromal phase of MS could mean that, one day, someone who is highly likely to be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis could receive proactive treatment years in advance and, perhaps, never develop any MS symptoms. Dr. Helen Tremlett, a professor, and the Canada Research Chair in Neuroepidemiology and Multiple Sclerosis at the University of British Columbia, is joining me this week to discuss how understanding the MS prodrome can fundamentally change the way that MS is diagnosed and treated. We'll also tell you about a study that shows early treatment with high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies can significantly reduce relapse rates for people living with active secondary progressive MS. We'll share results from a study that shows, on their first visit to a neurologist, Black people have more severe MS than White people. We'll tell you about two Phase 3 clinical trials that have just received approval from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. We'll share the results of a Belgian study that analyzed the efficacy of a cannabis spray in treating MS spasticity and improving quality of life. And we'll give you a heads-up about a new web series that features raw, unfiltered conversations about the good, bad, and messy parts of living with MS. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! What is the MS prodrome?  :22 Does early treatment with high-efficacy DMTs reduce relapse rates in people with secondary progressive MS?   2:32 Study shows Blacks with MS present with more severe disease and greater disability than Whites  5:54 FDA approves 2 Phase 3 clinical trials for a potential disease-modifying therapy  8:18 Study shows cannabis spray improves spasticity and quality of life for people living with MS  10:15 MS Confidential is the web series you don't want to miss  11:47 Dr. Helen Tremlett explains what the MS prodrome is and why it's important   14:40 Share this episode  28:20 Download the free RealTalk MS app  28:48 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/202 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: [email protected] Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com National MS Society COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for People Living with MS https://www.nationalmssociety.org/coronavirus-covid-19-information/multiple-sclerosis-and-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-guidance STUDY: Effects of High and Low Efficacy Therapy in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis https://n.neurology.org/content/early/2021/06/30/WNL.0000000000012354 STUDY: Association of Disease Severity and Socioeconomic Status in Black and White Americans with Multiple Sclerosishttps://n.neurology.org/content/early/2021/06/30/WNL.0000000000012362 STUDY: Sativex Cannabinoid Oromucosal Spray in Patients with Resistant Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity: The Belgian Experiencehttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34157999/ Episode 1 of MS Confidential: Vanityhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thtC81q7LVA Where to find future episodes of MS Confidentialhttps://unfixedmedia.com/ms-confidential Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Androidhttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 202 Guest: Dr. Helen Tremlett Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, RealTalkMS Privacy Policy