Early drug treatment for M.S. - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

Early drug treatment for M.S.

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By Stacy Brogan - email

Undated (WXOW) - Early drug intervention may make major progress against multiple sclerosis.

The disease is an auto-immune disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord.

Patients suffer attacks that can last for days and up to months affecting muscles, vision, and even personality.

New research by the American Academy of Neurology finds that early use of the drug interferon Beta-1A can slow and even stop the progression of multiple sclerosis.

In a three-year trial involving 517 patients, those who were given the interferon soon after their first symptoms were less likely to develop M.S.

Experts say slowing inflammation early in the disease preserves nerve cells from damage.

They add that the study underscores the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis.

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