Multiple Sclerosis is a devastating condition that affects approximately 400,000 Americans. A new vaccine for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has been determined to be safe and may even prove to be effective shows a new study done in Canada.

The symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis vary from person to person and can even vary within each individual at different times. For instance, one person with MS may have vision problems and bowel dysfunction. Another may have difficulty with balance and memory. Still a third individual with MS may experience depression, dizziness, and difficulty paying attention.

The symptoms of MS can include any combination of the following dizziness, memory problems, difficulty paying attention, bladder or bowel dysfunction, depression, difficulty problem-solving, pain, coordination problems, fatigue, problems with balance or walking, numbness or a "pins and needles" sensation, spasticity, sexual dysfunction, and problems with vision, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune condition in which myelin, the protective sheath that surrounds the nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord, is lost. Not only does myelin protect these central nervous system nerves, it also allows messages to travel to and from the brain and spinal cord. The symptoms of MS are a result of the inability of electrical impulses or messages to get to and from the brain.

In a small Canadian study, published in the on-line edition of Archives of Neurology, Dr. Amit Bar-Or and his colleagues tested the safety and effectiveness of a DNA vaccine. The vaccine, known as BHT-3009, stops the immune system from attacking the myelin that surrounds nerve fibers in the central nervous system.

Bar-Or and his colleagues administered the vaccine or a placebo at one, three, five, and nine weeks to all study participants with relapsing-remitting MS, which means that these individuals experienced Multiple Sclerosis symptoms for a period of time and then experience relief from their symptoms. The cycle continues throughout the lives of patients with relapsing-remitting MS.

The researchers used MRI scans to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the multiple sclerosis vaccine. They found that CD4+ T-cell counts decreased, meaning that the cells that attack the myelin in the central nervous system were reduced in individuals who received the vaccine. They also found that the vaccine was tolerated well. It is not known whether the MS vaccine can be used as a cure for the condition at this time.

Dr. Bar-Or and his colleagues have begun a phase 2 clinical trial, evaluating the effectiveness of the vaccine on 290 MS patients.

While there are still many unanswered questions about the effectiveness of this vaccine for Multiple Sclerosis, this study provides hope for individuals who suffer with the condition.

For more information on this study or about multiple sclerosis, please visit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.