8 July 2013
On Saturday night, 6 July 2013, Dr Anne La Flamme's latest Multiple Sclerosis research featured on TVNZ ONE News. Dr La Flamme, an Associate Professor at Victoria University of Wellington's School of Biological Sciences, heads the Malaghan Institute's MS programme.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects 1 in 1,400 New Zealanders. It is characterised by immune-mediated nerve degeneration, leading to impaired vision, coordination and paralysis. There is no cure. While disease-modifying drugs are available, they are often effective in only a subset of MS patients.
In her interview with TVNZ ONE News Reporter Renee Graham, Dr La Flamme spoke about her work with two commonly prescribed anti-psychotic drugs, which she has shown reduce the symptoms and severity of MS disease in laboratory models. Dr La Flamme hopes to undertake a clinical trial to investigate this new therapeutic approach in patients within the next two years. She is currently applying for funding for the trial.
About the clinical trial
Details of the clinical trial are currently being determined by Dr La Flamme, in consulation with her clinical advisors. We will provide updates once this information has been finalised and the trial starts recruiting volunteers. It is anticipated the trial will start in 2015. Individuals interested in volunteering for this trial should speak with their Neurologist.