RealTalk MS

From the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, people living with MS have been justifiably concerned about how a COVID-19 infection might impact their MS. As the new "Stratus" strain of COVID-19 is currently surging in the United States, research is providing answers we didn't have five years ago. Dr. Robert Fox, the Managing Director of the NARCOMS Patient Registry, joins me to discuss how COVID-19 infections and other infections impact people with MS. As ECTRIMS, the world's largest MS research conference, approached, many attendees anticipated the FDA's decision on whether to approve Tolebrutinib, the first in a new category of disease-modifying therapies. Instead, the FDA has requested additional time for its review. We'll fill you in on the FDA's new target action date, and explain why there's strong interest in this particular disease-modifying therapy. We know there's a specific gene that increases the risk of someone developing MS. But have you ever wondered where that gene came from, or why it exists at all? At ECTRIMS, Professor Lars Fugger took us on a journey 5,000 years into the past to explain its origin. When I spoke with him, Professor Fugger also explained how events from ancient history are still affecting the risk of developing MS today. You won't want to miss this compelling conversation! At ECTRIMS, I also caught up with Jason Tardio, the President, and Dr. Andreas Muehler, the Chief Medical Officer, from Immunic Therapeutics. We talked about how their investigative drug, vidofludimus calcium, could potentially benefit people with MS by combating inflammation, protecting the nervous system, and offering antiviral benefits. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Infections and MS, and more from ECTRIMS 2025! :22 FDA extends its review of Tolebrutinib 1:42 From ECTRIMS: Professor Lars Fugger discusses the origin of the gene that increases an individual's risk of developing MS 4:11 From ECTRIMS: Jason Tardio, President, and Dr. Andreas Muehler, Chief Medical Officer, at Immunic Therapeutics, discuss how vidofludimus calcium could potentially benefit people with MS 11:22 Dr. Robert Fox discusses what the research reveals about how COVID-19 infections and other infections impact people living with MS 16:34 Share this episode 32:00 Next week's episode 32:19 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/423 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 PARTICIPATE: Take the Shaping Tomorrow Together Survey https://s.alchemer.com/s3/Perspectives-on-MS REGISTER: Attend the virtual Shaping Tomorrow Together meeting with the FDA https://nmss.quorum.us/event/25463 SIGN UP: Become an MS Activist https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms DOWNLOAD: The RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 DOWNLOAD: The RealTalk MS App for Android Devices https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk REVIEW: 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 423 Guests: Professor Lars Fugger, Jason Tardio, Dr. Andreas...

Last week, over 9600 MS researchers and clinicians gathered in Barcelona for the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual scientific congress -- ECTRIMS 2025. Minutes after the conference adjourned, in what has become an annual tradition, Dr. Bruce Bebo, the Executive Vice President of Research at the National MS Society, joined me to share his initial thoughts on the science presented at the meeting. Then, Kristine Werner Ozug, a member of the RealTalk MS team who lives with MS, joined me to share her perspective on three non-stop days of presentations, news, and announcements. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: It's all about ECTRIMS 2025! :22 The Executive Vice President of Research at the National MS Society, Dr. Bruce Bebo, shares his initial impressions of ECTRIMS 2025 1:17 As someone who lives with MS, Kristine Werner Ozug shares her thoughts on ECTRIMS 2025 10:03 Share this episode 22:30 Next week's episode 22:50 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/422 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 PARTICIPATE: Take the Shaping Tomorrow Together Survey https://s.alchemer.com/s3/Perspectives-on-MS REGISTER: Attend the virtual Shaping Tomorrow Together meeting with the FDA https://nmss.quorum.us/event/25463 SIGN UP: Become an MS Activist https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms DOWNLOAD: The RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 DOWNLOAD: The RealTalk MS App for Android Devices https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk REVIEW: 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 422 Guests: Dr. Bruce Bebo and Kristine Werner Ozug Privacy Policy

Happy birthday to us! RealTalk MS is 8 years old today! It's hard for me to believe that the podcast I launched in 2017, with the goal of one day reaching 300 listeners, today reaches thousands of people living with MS, their care partners, MS researchers, and clinicians in more than 100 countries. So, let me start this week's show notes with a profound thank you to each of you for being an important part of the RealTalk MS listener community. Your ongoing engagement is a constant reminder that our podcast is a two-way conversation. And I'm looking forward to continuing the conversation until we can talk about MS in the past tense. MS can affect memory, attention, and processing speed. But proactive strategies can help preserve your cognitive function and quality of life. Erin Wilkinson, a nurse practitioner in the Multiple Sclerosis Department of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, is joining me to help us better understand the relationship between MS and brain health and to share strategies for preserving and even improving brain health. You'll also meet Jan Bonville, a consultant, speaker, writer, and advocate for inclusive travel and patient empowerment. Jan has lived with MS for twenty years, and our conversation focused on resilience, empowerment, and self-advocacy. As you will hear, these are things that Jan lives every day. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Happy birthday to us and greetings from ECTRIMS! :22 MS advocate Jan Bonville discusses resilience, empowerment, and self-advocacy 4:40 Nurse Practitioner Erin Wilkinson shares strategies for optimizing your brain health 23:03 Share this episode 41:01 Next week's episode 41:21 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/421 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 PARTICIPATE: Take the Shaping Tomorrow Together Survey https://s.alchemer.com/s3/Perspectives-on-MS REGISTER: Attend the virtual Shaping Tomorrow Together meeting with the FDA https://nmss.quorum.us/event/25463 SIGN UP: Become an MS Activist https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy LISTEN: RealTalk MS Episode 416: The Updated McDonald Diagnostic Criteria for MS with Dr. Andrew Solomon https://realtalkms.com/416 VIDEO: Dr. Robert Fox explains the results of the Phase 3 clinical trial for Tolebrutinib and Non-relapsing secondary progressive MS https://youtube.com/watch?v=tJQ93qdlXrU JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms DOWNLOAD: The RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 DOWNLOAD: The RealTalk MS App for Android Devices https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk REVIEW: 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 421 Guests: Jan Bonville and NP Erin Wilkinson Privacy Policy

You're living with MS, and maybe you're thinking about participating in an MS clinical trial. But how do they work? Are they safe? What's the difference between Phase 1, 2, and 3 trials? What are the real patient risks and benefits of participating in a clinical trial? In this special episode of RealTalk MS, we're getting answers to those questions and so much more from my guest, Dr. Aaron Boster. Dr. Boster is the founder of the Boster Center for Multiple Sclerosis in Columbus, Ohio, where he brings over 20 years of experience as an MS clinician. Dr. Boster has also participated in more than 65 clinical trials. This special episode of RealTalk MS has been made possible through a generous grant from Sanofi. Sanofi has two ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials in MS studying Frexalimab, an investigational second-generation anti-CD40 ligand monoclonal antibody. If you are interested in learning more about these clinical trials, please visit SanofiStudies.com SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/ct1 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: jon@realtalkms.com Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! Privacy Policy

Disease-modifying therapies are the cornerstone of MS treatment, but they're not the only piece of the puzzle. Beyond prescription medications, self-care that includes making healthy lifestyle choices can significantly improve your quality of life with MS. Julie Polisena knows this firsthand. Julie lives with MS, and in a recent blog post, she shared a comprehensive list of the lifestyle changes that have improved her quality of life with MS. Julie joins us today to discuss some of the most impactful changes you can make to start your own journey toward better health and wellness. We're also diving into the science behind some of the most talked-about diets for MS. We're breaking down the research on the Mediterranean diet, the Keto diet, the Wahls Diet, the Swank Diet, a gluten-free diet, and intermittent fasting, giving you an overview of the studies that have measured their impact on MS. We're discussing the latest developments in the ongoing scrutiny of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). There's significant pending legal action and a congressional investigation targeting PBMs, the powerful and secretive middlemen in the prescription drug supply chain. And we'll tell you how they've profited at the expense of millions of people with chronic illnesses, including people living with MS. We'll tell you about a clinical trial that's testing an injectable formulation of Briumvi. You'll hear about a promising new strategy for myelin repair. And we'll remind you about a warning from the FDA and Health Canada about glatiramer acetate (Copaxone). We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: A DIY approach to improving your MS journey :22 A roundup of studies that focused on popular diets for people with MS 1:53 Congress and the FTC have pharmacy benefit managers in their sites 7:32 TG Therapeutics is testing an injectable form of Briumvi 9:32 A research team has developed a novel remyelination strategy 11:03 A warning about glatiramer acetate has been issued 14:08 Julie Polisena discusses lifestyle changes that can make a difference in your quality of life 16:58 Share this episode 33:24 Next week's episode 33:43 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/420 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 PARTICIPATE: Take the Shaping Tomorrow Together Survey https://s.alchemer.com/s3/Perspectives-on-MS REGISTER: Attend the virtual Shaping Tomorrow Together meeting with the FDA https://nmss.quorum.us/event/25463 SIGN UP: Become an MS Activist https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy READ: Small Changes, Big Impact: Managing My MS Through Lifestyle Changes https://mscanada.ca/find-support/blog/small-changes-big-impact-managing-my-ms-through-lifestyle-change STUDY: The Role of Nutrition and Physical Activity in Modulating Disease Progression and Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis https://mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/16/2713 STUDY: Transient Gene Melting Governs the Timing of Oligodendrocyte Maturation https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S009286742500861X REVIEW: Copaxone, Glatopa (Glatiramer Acetate) FDA Drug Safety Communication https://www.fda.gov/safety/medical-product-safety-information/copaxone-glatopa-glatiramer-acetate-drug-safety-communication-fda-adds-boxed-warning-about-rare JOIN: The RealTalk MS...

Some people living with MS adhere to a treatment plan based exclusively on what we might consider traditional medicine. Others opt for alternative treatments. And, still, others take a whole-person health approach, blending integrative medicine with traditional treatments designed to support an individual's mind and body. Dr. Lynne Shinto joins me to discuss how a whole-person health approach can transform living with MS. Dr. Shinto is a Professor of Neurology and an MS Specialist at the Center for Women's Health at Oregon Health and Science University. We're also sharing some encouraging news about funding for the National Institutes of Health in 2026. We'll explain the research that has led to the identification of a new and quite different subtype of MS. We'll tell you about this year's winner of the Rachel Horne Prize for Women's Research in Multiple Sclerosis. The National MS Society's virtual program, New to MS: Navigating Your Journey, takes place in just two days. We have all the details! We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: A whole-person health approach to MS care :22 House Republicans reject President Trump's $20 billion cut to 2026 NIH funding 1:26 Have researchers identified a new MS subtype? 4:16 This year's winner of the Rachel Horne Prize for Women's Research in Multiple Sclerosis 8:27 We're two days away from the National MS Society's New to MS: Navigating Your Journey virtual program 9:53 Dr. Lynne Shinto discusses how taking a whole-person approach to MS care can transform your MS journey 12:04 Share this episode 31:41 Next week's episode 32:01 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/419 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 PARTICIPATE: Take the Shaping Tomorrow Together Survey https://s.alchemer.com/s3/Perspectives-on-MS REGISTER: Attend the virtual Shaping Tomorrow Together meeting with the FDA https://nmss.quorum.us/event/25463 SIGN UP: Become an MS Activist https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy STUDY: Large-Scale Online Assessment Uncovers a Distinct Multiple Sclerosis Subtype with Selective Cognitive Impairment https://nature.com/articles/s41467-025-62156-4 REGISTER: New To MS: Navigating Your Journey https://nationalmssociety.org/understanding-ms/newly-diagnosed/new-to-ms-journey Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices https://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 419 Guest: Dr. Lynne Shinto Privacy Policy

Living with MS means living with uncertainty, possible physical disability or cognitive dysfunction, bouts of crushing fatigue, mood changes, and let's not forget the very real irritation of well-meaning people telling you how healthy you look. Just processing the world around you can feel challenging. In this episode, psychologist Dr. Miriam Franco joins me to discuss how developing a growth mindset can make all the difference in how you experience your MS journey. We're also sharing a real-world example of how the drastic cuts in federal funding are already impacting MS care. We'll tell you about the first country in the world to approve Tolebrutinib, a new disease-modifying therapy for nonrelapsing secondary progressive MS. And we'll explain why people are particularly excited about this medication. We'll share details about the MS Clinical Imaging and Data Resource that's been launched by the International Progressive MS Alliance. We'll tell you how and where to catch the MS Standup Comedy Benefit next Monday in New York. And we're reminding you about your opportunity to impact future MS therapies by helping the FDA better understand what living with MS is really like. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Developing a growth mindset :22 How those federal research funding cuts are impacting MS patient care 1:30 United Arab Emirates becomes the first country in the world to approve Tolebrutinib for nonrelapsing secondary progressive MS 5:05 The International Progressive MS Alliance launches an MS Clinical Imaging and Data Resource open to the MS research community 8:32 The MS Standup Comedy Benefit takes place next Monday in New York 10:15 Add your voice and participate in the Shaping Tomorrow Together initiative 11:04 Dr. Miriam Franco discusses what it means to have a growth mindset when you're living with MS 14:50 Share this episode 34:11 Next week's episode 34:31 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/418 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 PARTICIPATE: Take the Shaping Tomorrow Together Survey https://s.alchemer.com/s3/Perspectives-on-MS REGISTER: Attend the virtual Shaping Tomorrow Together meeting with the FDA https://nmss.quorum.us/event/25463 VIDEO: Dr. Robert Fox, Principal Investigator in the Phase 3 Clinical Trial for Tolebrutinib and Secondary Progressive MS https://youtu.be/tJQ93qdlXrU?si=S5jREy5ixVcE7ol- VIDEO: Dr. Jiwon Oh, Principal Investigator in the Phase 3 Clinical Trial for Tolebrutinib and Relapsing-Remitting MS https://youtu.be/zcBmAHRTotA?si=n86KRjB9Xt9sdZMg The International Progressive MS Alliance Clinical Imaging and Data Resource https://progressivemsalliance.org/ms-clinical-and-imaging-data-resource ATTEND: MS Stand-Up Comedy Benefit https://msstandup.org Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices https://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...

If you've watched the critically acclaimed series, House of Cards, on Netflix, or the OCD detective series, Monk, on the USA Network, you've already listened to some of five-time Emmy award-winning composer Jeff Beal's work. This week, Jeff joins me to discuss his journey as an artist and as someone living with MS. We're also sharing all the details about the free event taking place at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica, California, on September 1, when Jeff joins conductor Leonard Slatkin and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra for a free concert featuring three of Jeff's works, including a world premiere! We're also explaining a newly introduced AI-based model of MS that replaces the MS subtypes (relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive, primary progressive) with a continuum that tracks four different states. We'll tell you about a study that identified specific gut bacteria that may determine whether an individual is susceptible to MS. And we'll share the details of a study that identified the first genetic marker that can accurately predict how someone will respond to a disease-modifying therapy. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Emmy award-winning composer Jeff Beal discusses his work and his MS journey :22 An AI-based model of MS 1:18 A study identifies specific gut bacteria that may be linked to MS susceptibility 4:49 A study identifies the first genetic marker for accurately predicting an individual's response to MS treatment 6:29 Composer Jeff Beal discusses his journey as an artist and as someone living with MS 9:57 Share this episode 30:36 Coming next week 30:56 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/417 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 PARTICIPATE: Take the Shaping Tomorrow Together Survey https://s.alchemer.com/s3/Perspectives-on-MS REGISTER: Attend the virtual Shaping Tomorrow Together meeting with the FDA https://nmss.quorum.us/event/25463 ATTEND: Music + The Body https://realtalkms.com/musicandthebody An AI-Driven Reclassification of Multiple Sclerosis Progression https://nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03901-6 STUDY: Multiple Sclerosis and Gut Microbiota: Lachnospiraceae From the Ileum of MS Twins Trigger MS-Like Disease in Germfree Transgenic Mice -- An Unbiased Functional Study https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2419689122 PARTICIPATE: International MS Microbiome Study https://www.nationalmssociety.org/how-you-can-help/get-involved/participate-in-research-studies/other-studies/international-ms-microbiome STUDY: HLA-A*03:01 As Predictive Genetic Biomarker for Glatiramer Acetate Treatment Response in Multiple Sclerosis: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(25)00317-2/fulltext Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices https://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 417 Guest: Jeff...

Since 2001, clinicians have relied on the McDonald Diagnostic Criteria as the gold standard for diagnosing someone with multiple sclerosis. As science continues to add to our understanding of MS, the McDonald Criteria have been updated in 2005, 2010, 2017, and most recently in 2024. This latest iteration of the McDonald criteria will be published in September, and today, Dr. Andrew Solomon is giving us a preview of what these changes are, what they mean, and how they're going to improve the process of diagnosing someone with MS. We'll also share results of a study that show MS may actually start 15 years before someone experiences their first MS symptom. We'll tell you about a study that shows a decline in the number of people with MS who are progressing to secondary progressive MS. We'll give you all the details so you can participate in the Shaping Tomorrow Together initiative with the FDA. And we'll remind you that Burgers to Beat MS Day is just two days away! We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Updated criteria for diagnosing MS :22 Study results show that MS actually starts many years before the first symptom 1:21 Study shows a decline in the number of people progressing to secondary progressive MS 7:40 A unique opportunity for you to impact future treatments and share your experience of living with MS with the FDA 9:51 We're just 2 days away from Burgers to Beat MS Day! 13:06 Dr. Andrew Solomon shares a preview of the updated McDonald Diagnostic Criteria for MS 14:40 Share this episode 26:20 Coming next week 26:41 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/416 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 PARTICIPATE: Take the Shaping Tomorrow Together Survey https://s.alchemer.com/s3/Perspectives-on-MS REGISTER: Attend the virtual Shaping Tomorrow Together meeting with the FDA https://nmss.quorum.us/event/25463 STUDY: Health Care Use Before Multiple Sclerosis Symptom Onset https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2837128 STUDY: Health Care Use Before Multiple Sclerosis Symptom Onset (PLAIN ENGLISH VERSION) https://tremlettsmsresearchexplained.wordpress.com/2025/08/05/healthcare-use-before-multiple-sclerosis-symptom-onset-explained STUDY: Multiple Sclerosis From Onset to Secondary Progression: A 30-Year Italian Register Study https://researchgate.net/publication/392714813_Multiple_sclerosis_from_onset_to_secondary_progression_a_30-year_Italian_register_study DONATE: Burgers To Beat MS https://burgerstobeatms.ca Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices https://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 416 Guest: Dr. Andrew Solomon Privacy Policy

Living with MS is expensive. Very expensive. It's estimated that the average cost of living with MS is over $88,000 per year. How, in the midst of financial stress and uncertainty, can you formulate a financial plan that takes MS into account? Paula Cole lives with MS, and she also lives with a lot of financial planning savvy. Paula joins the podcast to share tips and strategies for establishing a personal financial plan for you and your family -- even while you're coping with MS. And Beth Scott, the director of case management at the Patient Advocate Foundation, joins us to explain how you can take advantage of work incentive programs that allow an individual to keep working or even try returning to work while they're receiving Social Security Disability cash benefits. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Ways to earn and hold onto more money when you're living with MS :22 Beth Scott explains how you can benefit from work incentive programs while you're receiving Social Security Disability cash benefits :35 Paula Cole shares tips and strategies for establishing a personal financial plan for you and your family when you're living with MS 12:48 Share this episode 27:47 Next Week: The new criteria for diagnosing MS 28:07 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/415 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 Become an MS Activist https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices https://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 415 Guests: Beth Scott, Paula Cole Privacy Policy

Living with MS has always meant living with uncertainty. Left unchecked, that uncertainty can lead to anxiety, which can make your MS symptoms feel worse. This week, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Andrea Arzt, joins me to share tips and strategies for finding peace in the midst of uncertainty. You'll also meet the CEO of the MS International Federation, Dr. Lydia Makaroff. And you'll hear how artist Gordon Keith is combining his art with philanthropy in support of MS Canada. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Finding peace during uncertain times :22 Dr. Lydia Makaroff discusses the work that the MS International Federation is involved in on behalf of the global MS community :58 Gordon Keith discusses his life as an artist and how he's using his art to raise funds for MS Canada 10:43 Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Andrea Arzt, offers strategies for finding peace of mind while facing uncertainty 21:40 Share this episode 32:12 Next Week: It's all about the money! 32:32 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/414 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 Become an MS Activist https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices https://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 414 Guests: Dr. Lydia Makaroff, Gordon Keith, and Andrea Arzt Privacy Policy

We're witnessing the early stages of a paradigm shift, as artificial intelligence is beginning to impact virtually every aspect of healthcare, from research to patient care. And there's much, much more to come. This week, Dr. Brad Willingham, the Director of MS Research at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, joins me to discuss how AI will impact MS patient care. We'll also share the encouraging results from a Phase 2 open-label extension study for Fenebrutinib, an investigational disease-modifying therapy. We'll tell you about study results that show exercise interventions that follow physical activity guidelines for MS can have a significant impact on MS-related depression. And we're sharing the results of a study that illustrate what can happen when you delay starting a disease-modifying therapy. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: How AI will impact MS patient care :22 Fenebrutinib shows positive results after one-year extension study 1:33 MS-related depression can be significantly eased through exercise intervention that follows physical activity guidelines for MS 3:36 What happens when you delay starting disease-modifying therapy? 8:46 Dr. Brad Willingham discusses how artificial intelligence is impacting all aspects of healthcare 14:29 Share this episode 33:18 Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app? 33:38 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/413 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 Become an MS Activist https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy STUDY: Safety and Efficacy of Fenebrutinib in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (FENopta): A Multicentre, Double-Blind, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 2 Trial and Open-Label Extension https://thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(25)00174-7/abstract?rss=yes STUDY: Effects of Meeting Exercise Guidelines on Depression and Anxiety in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis https://tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09593985.2025.2518261 Exercise and Physical Activity Recommendations for ALL People with MS https://nationalmssociety.org/news-and-magazine/news/exercise-and-physical-activity-recommend STUDY: Delayed Access and Adherence are Real-World Challenges That Compromise Effectiveness of Natalizumab in Multiple Sclerosis https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211034825003694 Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices https://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 413 Guest: Dr. Brad Willingham Privacy Policy

More people over the age of 50 are being diagnosed with MS than ever before. When you consider the other health conditions that often develop as we age, and you add the fact that our immune system changes with age, there's a lot to think about when it comes to diagnosing and treating late-onset MS. This week, Dr. Jacqueline Nicholas, the System Chief of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis at the OhioHealth Multiple Sclerosis Center, joins me to help us better understand late-onset MS. We'll also tell you about research results that could lead to a simple blood test that can predict MS years before someone experiences a single symptom. You'll learn about an ultra-high resolution brain imaging tool that could open the door to precision neuroscience and revolutionize the treatment of neurological disorders The FDA wants to talk with people about what living with MS is like, and what they're looking for in future treatments. We'll tell you how and where to register for an informational webinar that will give you all the details about the Shaping Tomorrow Together initiative. And if you're in or around Northern California, we'll remind you that you can join us this Saturday in Napa Valley at Crush MS! We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Understanding Late-Onset MS :22 How a simple blood test may predict MS years before someone experiences any symptoms 1:34 How a new ultra-high resolution brain imaging tool may revolutionize the treatment of neurological disorders 6:40 Are you interested in telling the FDA what it's like living with MS, and what you want in future treatments? 8:53 Are you ready to support MS research while spending the afternoon in a Napa Valley vineyard? Get all the details to attend Crush MS 10:29 Dr. Jacqueline Nicholas discusses what's different and what's the same in treating late-onset MS 12:09 Share this episode 29:26 Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app? 29:46 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/412 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 Become an MS Activist https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy STUDY: Early Identification of Individuals at Risk for Developing Multiple Sclerosis by Quantification of EBNA-1-381-452-Specific Antibody Titers https://nature.com/articles/s41467-025-61751-9 REGISTER: Informational Webinar on the FDA "Shaping Tomorrow Together" Listening Session https://nmss.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hHdHhEE3TBmPJ2glcgME0Q#/registration EVENT: Crush MS https://crushms.org Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices https://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 412 Guest: Dr. Jacqueline Nicholas Privacy Policy

Back in Episode #401, we reported promising results from a Phase 2 clinical trial for vidofludimus calcium and its impact on progressive MS. This therapy is being developed by Immunic Therapeutics, and this week, Jason Tardio, Immunic's President and Chief Operating Officer, joins me to share some of the specifics of that clinical trial. Jason will also shed light on why Immunic believes that vidofludimus calcium goes beyond merely slowing disability, potentially offering vital neuroprotection for MS patients, making it a potential game-changer. We're also sharing the encouraging results from a study that focused on the efficacy of neural stem cell transplantation as a remyelination therapy. We'll tell you about a study in the U.K. that measured disability progression among people with MS five years after undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT). You'll learn about an AI tool that can predict whether someone living with MS is likely to experience progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) with a high degree of accuracy. We'll tell you where you can catch the International Progressive MS Alliance webcast featuring a panel of experts discussing the future role of digital tools in MS research. We'll explain how one of the less publicized aspects of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will impact future MS care. And Crush MS is less than two weeks away! We're sharing all the details! We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Encouraging results from a clinical trial for progressive MS. :22 How a less-publicized aspect of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will impact future MS patient care 1:18 A study looked at the efficacy of neural stem cell transplantation as a remyelination therapy 4:31 A study in the U.K. analyzed disability progression among people with MS five years after receiving autologous hematopoietic stem cell therapy (aHSCT) 7:42 Can AI accurately predict who will experience progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA)? 10:45 Don't miss the International Progressive MS Alliance webcast featuring experts discussing the future role of digital tools in MS research 12:40 Are you ready to support MS research while spending the afternoon in a Napa Valley vineyard? Get all the details to attend Crush MS 13:45 Jason Tardio, President and Chief Operating Officer of Immunic Therapeutics, discusses the recent Phase 2 clinical trial for vidofludimus calcium as a therapy for progressive MS 15:03 Share this episode 30:03 Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app? 30:23 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/411 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 Become an MS Activist https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy STUDY: Remyelination of Chronic Demyelinated Lesions With Directly Induced Neural Stem Cells https://academic.oup.com/brain/advance-article/doi/10.1093/brain/awaf208/8185601 STUDY: Autologous Haemotopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in the U.K.: A 20-Year Retrospective Analysis of Activity Haematological Outcomes from the British Society of Blood And Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/bjh.20199 STUDY: Deep Learning to Predict Progression Independent of Relapse Activity at a First Demyelinating...

Over the past few months, we've shared news about an algorithm that can accurately predict whether someone living with MS will experience worsening symptoms or a relapse in the weeks ahead. You've heard about a three-quarter-of-a-million-dollar investment by the International Progressive MS Alliance to support the development of an AI-based tool that will predict future disability as well as how someone with MS will respond to different disease-modifying therapies. Just last week, you learned about a digital tool that can accurately diagnose whether someone has relapsing-remitting MS or progressive MS -- after a five-minute test! Digital tools are poised to rewrite the rules when it comes to conducting MS research and providing patient care. Welcome to Part Two of our coverage of the Digital Tools Workshop hosted by the International Progressive MS Alliance. In this week's episode, you'll hear Vanessa Fanning share her perspective as someone living with progressive MS on how digital tools can benefit people with progressive MS, while also highlighting some of the challenges that need to be addressed. Then, you'll hear neuroimmunologist and data scientist Professor Sergio Baranzini discuss how all the data that digital tools produce will be integrated into MS research and MS care. Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie recaps the topics covered at the meeting and describes the next steps necessary to integrate digital tools into MS clinical care. And we'll have to take a moment to share the frightening real-world consequences of last week's decision by President Trump and Congress to cut a trillion dollars from Medicaid. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: The real-world impact of the Big, Beautiful Bill on people with MS and any other chronic illness :22 An example of how a digital tool could revolutionize MS patient care 7:41 Vanessa Fanning shares a patient's perspective on how digital tools can benefit people living with progressive MS and reminds us of the challenges that still need to be solved 11:19 Professor Sergio Baranzini discusses managing big data in the clinic 23:15 Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie provides a recap of the workshop and describes the next steps to be taken 31:07 Share this episode 43:21 Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app? 43:41 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/410 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 Become an MS Activist https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices https://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 410 Guests: Vanessa Fanning, Professor Sergio Baranzini, Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie Privacy Policy

Last week, I was in Philadelphia, attending the Digital Tools Workshop hosted by the International Progressive MS Alliance. Welcome to Part One of our coverage! As we look around us, it's hard to imagine a single aspect of our lives that hasn't been impacted by the constant and rapid evolution of technology. Just consider the capabilities of the device you're using to listen to this podcast. This workshop highlighted the ways that emerging digital tools will accelerate MS clinical trials and enhance personalized MS care. In this week's episode, you'll hear Dr. Robert Fox, the Chair of the International Progressive MS Alliance Scientific Steering Committee, and Dr. Tim Coetzee, President and CEO of the National MS Society, discuss some of the ways digital tools can impact MS research and care, as well as some of the issues that need to be addressed to ensure that everyone living with MS can benefit from these tools. Then, you'll hear the workshop co-chair, Dr. Jennifer Graves, discuss her team's work in developing a digital tool that can accurately determine whether an individual has relapsing-remitting MS or progressive MS -- after a 5-minute test that consists of tapping their fingers and feet! You'll hear Dr. Anne Helme, the Head of Research and Access at the MS International Federation, explain how digital tools can boost patient-reported outcomes in MS research. And you'll hear Dr. Stefan Gold share the positive results of his study involving an at-home digital intervention designed to treat depression among people with MS. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: From the International Progressive MS Alliance Digital Tools Workshop :22 Dr. Tim Coetzee and Dr. Robert Fox discuss how digital tools will impact MS research and care :54 Dr. Jennifer Graves talks about her team's work in developing a digital tool, and how MS research is being threatened by drastic cuts in federal research funding 9:56 Dr. Anne Helme discusses how digital tools will boost patient-reported outcomes in MS research 16:26 Dr. Stefan Gold shares the positive results of his study involving an at-home digital intervention designed to treat depression among people with MS. 24:06 Share this episode 37:38 Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app? 37:58 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/409 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices https://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 409 Guests: Dr. Tim Coetzee, Dr. Robert Fox, Dr. Jennifer Graves, Dr. Anne Helme, Dr. Stefan Gold Privacy Policy

Have you experienced those familiar feelings of frustration when the people closest to you don't seem to get your MS? Do you find yourself explaining and re-explaining things to well-meaning friends, co-workers, and even family members? Kris Inman's wife, Mariah, was diagnosed with MS in 2020, and, since then, Kris has been Mariah's care partner and an active member of the MS community. This week, Kris joins me to talk about overcoming the challenge of helping your friends and family understand what an MS diagnosis means and what living with MS is really like. We're also sharing research results that show that someone's age at the time they experience the first symptoms of MS can determine whether they experience a better physical or mental health-related quality of life. We'll tell you about a report issued jointly by the MS Society in the UK and the Work Foundation at Lancaster University that details specific challenges people with MS face in the workplace. We'll give you the details about the National MS Society's Fast Forward investment in Neurogenesis, a biotech company developing a proprietary stem cell therapy designed to treat progressive MS. And we'll share news about the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS), a device that's used in combination with physical therapy to reduce walking problems for people with MS. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: The frustration you might feel when some of the people closest to you don't really seem to get your MS. :22 Study results show that the age of MS onset can be predictive of physical and mental health-related quality of life 1:27 A report details challenges faced in the workplace by people living with MS in the UK 4:28 The MS Society's Fast Forward program has made an investment in Neurogenesis, a biotech company developing a proprietary cell therapy designed to treat progressive MS 8:00 Aetna Healthcare has become the third major private insurer to offer reimbursement for the PoNS device 11:00 Kris Inman discusses the finer points of being an MS care partner 14:17 Share this episode 29:13 Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app? 29:32 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/408 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 Become an MS Activist https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy Act Now! Contact Your Senators About Medicaid and Health Coverage https://nmss.quorum.us/campaign/127768 STUDY: Age of Multiple Sclerosis Symptom Onset Affects Mental and Physical Health-Related Quality of Life in Opposite Directions https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211034825003037 REPORT: No Compromises: Supporting People with MS to Thrive In and Out of Work https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/media/lancaster-university/content-assets/documents/lums/work-foundation/reports/WF_MSSNoCompromises-SupportingpeoplewithMStothriveinandoutofwork.pdf Neurogenesis https://neurogenesis-cell.com The Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS) https://ponstherapy.com Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android...

Getting a good night's sleep is something that benefits everyone. And if you're someone who's living with MS, it's perhaps even more important. But research suggests that more than half the people living with MS experience poor sleep. Dr. Katie Siengsukon, the Director of the Sleep, Health, and Wellness Lab at the University of Kansas Medical Center Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, returns to the podcast to discuss the importance of good sleep hygiene, along with steps you can take to improve the quality of your sleep. We're also explaining how changes in U.S. public policy will impact people with MS. We'll tell you about an algorithm developed at Duke University that can predict (with 80-90% accuracy!) whether someone's MS symptoms will worsen in the weeks ahead. We'll share study results that show MS accelerates biological aging among children and teens with MS. We'll explain why this finding can also be applied to adults with MS, and what it means. And we'll tell you about the biotech start-up that has succeeded at bringing the brains of people who have passed away back to life, and we'll explain why that can have a major impact on CNS disease research. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Sleep Hygiene and MS :22 How public policy changes in the U.S. will impact people with MS 1:18 What if you knew when an MS symptom was going to worsen? 6:18 Study results show MS accelerates biological aging in children 9:04 How re-animated human brains could accelerate CNS research (And which company is doing it!) 12:00 Dr. Katie Siengsukon discusses the importance of good sleep hygiene for people living with MS 15:37 Share this episode 33:32 Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app? 33:52 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/407 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 Become an MS Activist https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy Act Now! Contact Your Senators About Medicaid and Health Coverage https://nmss.quorum.us/campaign/127768 STUDY: Performance of Machine Learning Models for Predicting High-Severity Symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis https://nature.com/articles/s41598-024-63888-x STUDY: Epigenetic Aging in Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis https://neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000213673 Bexorg https://bexorg.com Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices https://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 407 Guest: Dr. Katie Siengsukon Privacy Policy

Welcome to Part Two of our coverage of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers annual meeting! In this week's episode, Dr. John DeLuca shares research that has identified an effective behavioral treatment for MS-related fatigue. Dr. Brian Sandroff discusses how MS rehabilitation has evolved and then answers some of your questions about exercise and MS. And Kristine Werner Ozug, a member of the RealTalk MS team and someone who lives with MS, shares her perspective on the sessions and presentations she attended at CMSC. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: Part 2 of our coverage from the 2025 Consortium of MS Centers Annual Meeting :22 Dr. John DeLuca shares his research, which has identified an effective behavioral treatment for MS-related fatigue 1:15 Dr. Brian Sandroff discusses how MS rehabilitation has evolved and answers some of your questions 8:34 Kristine Werner Ozug shares her perspective on the sessions and presentations she attended at CMSC 19:34 Share this episode 31:13 Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app? 31:34 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/406 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices https://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 406 Guests: Dr. John DeLuca, Dr. Brian Sandroff, and Kristine Werner Ozug Privacy Policy

Last week in Phoenix, Arizona, the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) held its annual meeting, and we had a chance to talk with some of the top MS experts in the world. Welcome to Part One of our coverage! First, you'll hear Dr. Kathy Zackowski, the National MS Society's Associate Vice-President of Research, share her overview of the sessions and presentations that especially stood out to her. Then, you'll hear Dr. Stephen Krieger as he expands on one of the most interesting and provocative presentations at the conference. Dr. Krieger headed up a panel of experts that explained how the terms used to describe MS today (relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive, and primary progressive) are no longer adequate and then offered answers to the question, "If MS is one disease, what does that mean for clinical conversations?". We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: From the 2025 Consortium of MS Centers Annual Meeting :22 Dr. Kathy Zackowski shares an overview of the sessions and presentations that caught her eye 1:08 Dr. Stephen Krieger discusses seeing MS as one disease 17:11 Share this episode 31:58 Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app? 32:18 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/405 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: jon@realtalkms.com 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 Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Devices https://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 405 Guests: Dr. Kathy Zackowski and Dr. Stephen Krieger Privacy Policy