Opportunity for collaboration between specialties
Findings from a recent study of ibudilast, an anti-inflammatory drug, “provide a glimmer of hope” for people with progressive multiple sclerosis, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke researchers.
Ibudilast is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor with bronchodilator, vasodilator, and neuroprotective effects, mainly used in the treatment of asthma and stroke.
In the placebo-controlled study, 255 participants were assigned to take up to 10 capsules of ibudilast or placebo per day for 96 weeks. Every 6 months, they had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans. The researchers observed a difference in brain shrinkage of about 2.5 mL of brain tissue per year between the 2 groups. (The human brain has a volume of about 1,350 mL.) It is unknown whether the difference had an effect on symptoms or loss of function.
Reported adverse events were similar in both groups. The most common with ibudilast were gastrointestinal, headaches, and depression.