Enhanced Mobility Observed in Select Multiple Sclerosis Patients due to Pharmaceutical Intervention
In a significant development for those living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a new study has found that Fampridine, an experimental drug, can improve walking ability in some individuals with the condition. The results of this multi-center Phase 3 clinical trial were published in the prestigious journal The Lancet.
Fampridine, also known as dalfampridine, differs from other approved MS treatments primarily because it improves neurological function, especially walking ability, rather than modifying the underlying disease process. It works by blocking potassium channels on damaged nerve fibers, which enhances nerve signal conduction and thereby improves symptoms like walking speed.
The study, led by neurologist Andrew Goodman, M.D., chief of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at the University of Rochester Medical Center, used a 12-question scale to evaluate improvements in walking ability, including factors such as speed, distance, and endurance. The most consistent and sensitive measurement of changes in walking ability was found to be the repeated timing of the 25 foot walk, with any change of more than 20% being significant.
The study found that among those who met the criteria for improved walking speed, they were able to identify improvements in various aspects of MS affecting their walking and ability to function on their feet. Participants who received the drug experienced an average of about 25% increase in the speed they could walk 25 feet compared to the placebo group (8.3%).
However, it's important to note that the study results do not provide a clear way to predict which patients will respond to Fampridine treatment. Eleven patients (4.8%) in the Fampridine-treated group discontinued the study due to side effects, which were common and included dizziness, insomnia, and fatigue.
Despite these side effects, the study did not identify any negative interactions between Fampridine and other MS treatments, including disease modifying and symptom treatments. This means that Fampridine could potentially be used in conjunction with existing MS treatments to provide additional benefits.
Clinicians will need to approach Fampridine treatment in a practical manner, selecting patients with walking difficulties, prescribing the medication, and monitoring their response. Acorda Therapeutics, Inc., the company that developed the sustained-release formulation of the drug, Fampridine-SR, has submitted a new drug application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Fampridine-SR.
In conclusion, Fampridine offers a unique approach to treating MS, focusing on functional improvement (especially mobility) rather than altering the disease's underlying pathophysiology. For people who have walking difficulties due to MS, approximately one-third will improve with Fampridine treatment. While the drug is not a cure for MS, it could provide significant improvements in the quality of life for many patients.
- The new study on Fampridine, an experimental drug, provides hope for people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), as it improves walking ability and offers a unique approach to treating neurological disorders.
- The study findings highlight that Fampridine enhances nerve signal conduction, which can lead to functional improvements, particularly in walking speed, for certain MS patients.
- While Fampridine may not alter the underlying disease process of MS, it could potentially be used alongside existing health-and-wellness therapies and treatments, offering additional benefits and improving the quality of life for multiple-sclerosis patients.
