Episode 463: A Novel Approach to Treating MS-Related Depression with Dr. Robert Motl and Kelly

Living with depression has been described as "like living under a wet, heavy blanket". It can stop someone from showing up at work, meeting up with friends, and even connecting with their family.  One out of every two people living with MS will experience depression at some point in their MS journey. The METS for MS study is focused on a novel approach to treating major depressive disorder among people with MS -- one that doesn't require another infusion, injection, or pill. This week, Dr. Robert Motl, principal investigator for the METS for MS study, joins us to explain what the study is about and what his team is learning.  And Kelly, who lives with progressive MS, joins us to share how her participation in the study became life-changing.  We'll also tell you about the $500,000 donation to MS research that Fernando Mendoza and his family just made. We're sharing the details about the CAR-NKT cell therapy for MS that's being developed at UCLA. You'll learn about the novel nanoparticle therapy for MS that's being developed by a team at Syracuse University's BioInspired Institute. And we're sharing the surprising results of a study that measured the effectiveness of Rituximab versus Ocrevus.  We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: A study focusing on a novel approach to treating MS-related depression  :22 Fernando Mendoza and his family donate $500,000 to MS research  1:18 UCLA research team receives a $7.49 million dollar grant to develop CAR-NKT therapy for MS  2:22 Syracuse University research team receives NIH grant to develop novel nanoparticle therapy for MS   6:22 Study results: Rituximab and Ocrevus were compared head-to-head and the results are surprising   9:43 Dr. Robert Motl explains the Mood and Exercise Training Study for Multiple Sclerosis, and Kelly explains how her participation in the study turned out to be life-changing  14:22 Share this episode  35:43 Next week  36:03 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/463 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 at www.RealTalkMS.com STUDY: Rituximab versus Ocrelizumab in Newly Diagnosed Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2600993 PARTICIPATE: Mood and Exercise Training Study for Multiple Sclerosis (METS for MS) Email: [email protected]  Phone Ariel: (312) 355-1790 JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review Follow RealTalk MS on X, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 463 Guest: Dr. Robert Motl, Kelly Privacy Policy