b'Medicine & ResearchEExxppeerrttssAAddddrreessssNNeewwTTrreeaattmmeennttssaattCCMMSSCCFd Faattiigguuee,,pprreeggnnaannccyy,,aannddaaggiinnggdiissccuusssseeddaatteedduuccaattiioonnaallsseessssiioonnssBy Cherie BinnsMS Focus attended the 2024 annual can worsen the quality of life in those with ConsortiumofMultipleSclerosisCentersMS and some of the causes may be interruptions meeting in Nashville, Tenn., this past May.in the sleep cycle because of pain or bladder Several sessions were presented on how MRIissues.Approximatelyhalfofthoseliving technology is evolving to provide better imageswith MS have an actual sleep disorder, it was and greater clues both to the initial diagnosisstressed that identifying and treating these and disease progression. The increasing usedisorders can have a positive effect on fatigue of 3D MRI technology gives physicians a bettersymptoms.look at what is happening in the central nervousNext,theclinicaltrialsformedications system. The addition of AI-generated evaluationthat are often prescribed to treat fatigue were assists in providing distinct differences betweenreviewed and no single category of medication thediagnosisofMS,neuromyelitisopticadid better than its placebo in clinical trials. spectrum disorder, and myelin oligodendrocyteAdditionally,manyoftheantifatigue glycoprotein antibody-associated disease thatmedications may have negative effects on until recently, were all given the same diagnosisother comorbidities in the individual with of MS. Each of these three diagnoses haveMS. These medications are not meant to be different treatment protocols and the outcomestaken daily, yet most users do just that, which can may also be very different. The use of AI hasprolong the worsening of fatigue. Antifatigue allowed the accuracy of diagnosis to improvemedications should only be taken on days from around 70 percent to nearly 99 percent.when optimal function is needed. Treating fatigue Physical, mental symptomsOn the symptom management front, weIn the discussion of bowel, bladder, and were reminded that fatigue remains one of the most prominent symptoms and is alsosexual dysfunction, it was noted that many one of the hardest to treat effectively. Primaryindividuals suffering from these symptoms fatigue may be caused by lesion placementmay benet from seeing a pelvic oor therapist or inflammation in the CNS. By getting anwho is specially trained to assist individuals individual with MS onto an effective disease- in retraining the bowel and bladder to work more modifying therapy and eliminating dietaryeffectively and as a result, may also improve triggers of inammation such as preservatives,sexual function. These therapists are often additives, avor enhancers, and sugars, theaffiliated with centers treating MS or spinal symptoms may improve. Secondary fatiguecord injuries. msfocusmagazine.org 34'