Wake Forest Doctors Working On Pill For Multiple Sclerosis

Winston-Salem, NC -- Researchers at wake forest baptist are working on ways to treat Multiple Sclerosis.

Dr. Douglas Jeffery says, "All of the patients want an oral medication for M.S., they've been asking that question for the last 10 years, when are we gonna get an oral medication?"

Doctors say they're working on that answer with a pill called Laquinimod. It's in clinical trials right now, but doctors want to stress that it's not a cure. But doctors say they hope it will decrease relapses, lesions, and the progression of the disability.

Dr. Jeffery says, "I think it's a vast unmet need in the M.S. patient population. It would be a huge advantage to have a medication which can be taken once a day orally and is a safe and effective drug."

They're still looking for people to participate in the study. To be eligible, you must:

- be under the age of 55- have relapse or remitting M.S.- be off their medication for at least 2 months- have had at least one M.S. attack in the past year

If you meet these criteria, and would like to participate, call Nancy Lawler at (336) 716-1704.

Participants would come by for an initial screening visit, then a baseline visit about a month later, and then once every three months after that.

The medical care is completely free. Patients do not pay for office visits, MRIs, EKGs, or blood work.