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%  Phew No Hookworm Larvae as MS Treatment Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Multiple Sclerosis <h1>Phew No Hookworm Larvae as MS Treatment</h1> The latest research shows helminth therapy doesn’t seem to work well for MS, and we’re all right with that. By Trevis GleasonFor Life With Multiple SclerosisReviewed: July 9, 2020Everyday Health BlogsFact-CheckedTurns out, inserting helminth larvae, shown above, into people with MS isn’t very helpful. AlamyIf I look back through my notes, it was in the spring of 2008 that I first heard of a clinical trial for a multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy that made my skin crawl. I’m not unhappy to report that the most recent results for using hookworms as a treatment, published on June 15 in JAMA Neurology, don’t seem to be too promising.
Natalie Lopez Member
access_time 5 minutes ago
%  Phew No Hookworm Larvae as MS Treatment Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Multiple Sclerosis

Phew No Hookworm Larvae as MS Treatment

The latest research shows helminth therapy doesn’t seem to work well for MS, and we’re all right with that. By Trevis GleasonFor Life With Multiple SclerosisReviewed: July 9, 2020Everyday Health BlogsFact-CheckedTurns out, inserting helminth larvae, shown above, into people with MS isn’t very helpful. AlamyIf I look back through my notes, it was in the spring of 2008 that I first heard of a clinical trial for a multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy that made my skin crawl. I’m not unhappy to report that the most recent results for using hookworms as a treatment, published on June 15 in JAMA Neurology, don’t seem to be too promising.
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Andrew Wilson 2 minutes ago
But before anyone goes throwing out comments about wasted money and ridiculous research projects, kn...
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Julia Zhang 3 minutes ago
In other words, cleaner environments do not allow the immune system to properly or fully develop res...
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But before anyone goes throwing out comments about wasted money and ridiculous research projects, know that there was solid scientific theory behind why someone would even propose introducing hookworm larvae into the body to treat MS. <h2>The Hygiene Hypothesis of Autoimmune Disease</h2> First, there’s what’s known as the hygiene hypothesis for autoimmune conditions. This hypothesis is based on the idea that the decreasing incidence of infections in Western countries, and more recently in developing countries, is at the root of the increasing incidence of both autoimmune and allergic diseases.
David Cohen Member
access_time 10 minutes ago
But before anyone goes throwing out comments about wasted money and ridiculous research projects, know that there was solid scientific theory behind why someone would even propose introducing hookworm larvae into the body to treat MS.

The Hygiene Hypothesis of Autoimmune Disease

First, there’s what’s known as the hygiene hypothesis for autoimmune conditions. This hypothesis is based on the idea that the decreasing incidence of infections in Western countries, and more recently in developing countries, is at the root of the increasing incidence of both autoimmune and allergic diseases.
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In other words, cleaner environments do not allow the immune system to properly or fully develop responses to invaders, because those interlopers don’t exist in clean living spaces. Multiple sclerosis is one of the conditions for which researchers feel the hygiene hypothesis might apply.
Scarlett Brown Member
access_time 9 minutes ago
In other words, cleaner environments do not allow the immune system to properly or fully develop responses to invaders, because those interlopers don’t exist in clean living spaces. Multiple sclerosis is one of the conditions for which researchers feel the hygiene hypothesis might apply.
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Sophie Martin 7 minutes ago

Benefits of Worms in Animal Models of MS

Secondary to the hygiene hypothesis in this case i...
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Mason Rodriguez 3 minutes ago
The study enrolled 69 people with either relapsing-remitting or secondary-progressive MS, and while ...
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<h2>Benefits of Worms in Animal Models of MS</h2> Secondary to the hygiene hypothesis in this case is the appearance that in animal models of MS, helminth (the scientific, and quite frankly less icky term for hookworms) treatment appeared to be protective. As squeamish-making as it may sound, there were valid reasons for hope. <h2>Not So Much in Humans</h2> Turns out the treatment had some positive effects, but not enough, researchers felt, to warrant further study.
Ava White Moderator
access_time 4 minutes ago

Benefits of Worms in Animal Models of MS

Secondary to the hygiene hypothesis in this case is the appearance that in animal models of MS, helminth (the scientific, and quite frankly less icky term for hookworms) treatment appeared to be protective. As squeamish-making as it may sound, there were valid reasons for hope.

Not So Much in Humans

Turns out the treatment had some positive effects, but not enough, researchers felt, to warrant further study.
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Ava White 2 minutes ago
The study enrolled 69 people with either relapsing-remitting or secondary-progressive MS, and while ...
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The study enrolled 69 people with either relapsing-remitting or secondary-progressive MS, and while the treatment didn’t have a marked effect on the cumulative number of new or enlarging T2 lesions or newly enhancing lesions over four to nine months, it did have what appeared to be a positive effect on disease activity as seen on MRI scans: 51 percent of the study participants who received the treatment showed no detectable disease activity on MRI, versus 28 percent of those who received a placebo. When compared with current MS treatments, however, the researchers admit that at best, the use of hookworms as a therapy is surpassed by the efficacy of even the lowest-potency MS disease-modifying drugs. <h2>Maybe There s Still Something We Can Learn From It</h2> So, the long and short of it is that getting infected with hookworms seems to have a benefit for people with MS, but not enough of a benefit to outpace current prescription medications.
Chloe Santos Moderator
access_time 5 minutes ago
The study enrolled 69 people with either relapsing-remitting or secondary-progressive MS, and while the treatment didn’t have a marked effect on the cumulative number of new or enlarging T2 lesions or newly enhancing lesions over four to nine months, it did have what appeared to be a positive effect on disease activity as seen on MRI scans: 51 percent of the study participants who received the treatment showed no detectable disease activity on MRI, versus 28 percent of those who received a placebo. When compared with current MS treatments, however, the researchers admit that at best, the use of hookworms as a therapy is surpassed by the efficacy of even the lowest-potency MS disease-modifying drugs.

Maybe There s Still Something We Can Learn From It

So, the long and short of it is that getting infected with hookworms seems to have a benefit for people with MS, but not enough of a benefit to outpace current prescription medications.
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Evelyn Zhang 4 minutes ago
I’m glad to hear it! But, I suppose, the most important information from the study goes beyond the...
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I’m glad to hear it! But, I suppose, the most important information from the study goes beyond the fact that worms do seem to change MS.
Victoria Lopez Member
access_time 30 minutes ago
I’m glad to hear it! But, I suppose, the most important information from the study goes beyond the fact that worms do seem to change MS.
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Julia Zhang 29 minutes ago
It’s why and how they affect the course of the disease that will be the subject of more (and hopef...
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William Brown 2 minutes ago
Important: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Everyday...
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It’s why and how they affect the course of the disease that will be the subject of more (and hopefully less wormy) research. Wishing you and your family the best of health. Cheers, Trevis My book, Chef Interrupted, is available on Amazon. Follow me on the Life With MS Facebook page and on Twitter, and read more on Life With Multiple Sclerosis.
Elijah Patel Member
access_time 7 minutes ago
It’s why and how they affect the course of the disease that will be the subject of more (and hopefully less wormy) research. Wishing you and your family the best of health. Cheers, Trevis My book, Chef Interrupted, is available on Amazon. Follow me on the Life With MS Facebook page and on Twitter, and read more on Life With Multiple Sclerosis.
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Luna Park 1 minutes ago
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Here’s what to know about this unique type of MS pain and how to find relief.By Kerry WeissOctober...
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Important: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Everyday Health.See More NEWSLETTERS <h3>Sign up for our Multiple Sclerosis Newsletter </h3>SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. <h2>The Latest in Multiple Sclerosis</h2> <h3>How to Craft a Life s Mission Statement</h3>By Trevis GleasonOctober 21, 2022 <h3>Dysarthria When MS Makes It Hard to Speak</h3>By Mona SenOctober 20, 2022 <h3>Is That Really How I Walk </h3>By Trevis GleasonOctober 18, 2022 <h3>How Do You Know When to Throw in the Towel </h3>By Trevis GleasonOctober 14, 2022 <h3>Living With MS What to Know About Neuropathic Pain and How to Manage It </h3>Neuropathic pain is not your average pain.
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Important: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Everyday Health.See More NEWSLETTERS

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