Upcoming EventsToday, there are a variety of treatment options for people with multiple sclerosis. Sometimes, the choices can seem overwhelming, says Christopher Langston, MD, the new Medical Director of The Madlyn Borelli Multiple Sclerosis Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. “We offer treatments that can be game-changing for many patients,” Dr. Langston said. “It’s important for patients to be treated at a facility where the doctors know all the treatments, and can help the patient choose the one that’s right for them.”
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is thought to be an autoimmune disease, meaning the body, through its immune system, attacks its own tissues. In people with MS, the immune system attacks myelin coating around the nerve fibers in the central nervous system. This interferes with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body, causing symptoms that often include weakness in arms and legs and difficulty with coordination and balance. Many people with MS have feelings of fatigue, and some also may have numbness, prickling or “pins and needles” sensations.
In some cases, MS can cause blindness, double vision, muscle stiffness, cognitive problems, slurred speech, bladder problems, and sexual dysfunction.
The cause of MS is unknown. In some people, MS can be relatively benign, while in others it is somewhat or severely disabling. MS often first appears between the ages of 20 and 40. “Patients often are in the prime of their lives—getting married, having kids, starting new careers,” Dr. Langston said. “It’s so rewarding to be able to help them navigate their illness and share these milestones with them.”
Treating Multiple Sclerosis
Thirty years ago, there were no treatments for MS. Today there are around 20, with more on the way, Dr. Langston noted. Last year the Food and Drug Administration approved two new medicines, and the agency approved another two in recent months.
“MS has an inflammatory component, which we’ve gotten better at treating,” Dr. Langston said. “But the disease also has a neurodegenerative component that damages nerves gradually, and is harder to treat. The newer medicines coming out are doing a better job at tackling this.”
There are many methods of administering MS drugs, including oral tablets, IV infusions, and injections. One recently approved medication is an injection that can be taken at home once a month that is as effective as current IV medicines. “The convenience of not having to go to the doctor’s office is very appealing to many patients,” Dr. Langston said.
Some treatments are very effective but can have serious side effects, while others have side effects that are not dangerous but can impact a person’s quality of life, such as gastrointestinal upset. Some patients have trouble swallowing pills, while others find that going to the doctor’s office for infusions interferes with their work schedule. “We need to match the convenience of the treatment to the most appropriate therapy for the person’s disease,” he said. “We take into account their prognosis as well as their lifestyle.”
Looking to the Future
Dr. Langston is looking forward to starting a clinical trials program at The Madlyn Borelli Multiple Sclerosis Center, which is affiliated with Montefiore-Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY. “We want to give our patients the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge clinical trials without having to travel into New York City,” Dr. Langston said. “There’s a lot of exciting research on the horizon in MS. One day we hope to have treatments that can rebuild the damage caused by the disease.”
For more information about the services provided at The Madlyn Borelli Multiple Sclerosis Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, call 845-348-8800 or visit montefiorenyack.org/multiple-sclerosis.
