Interferon may cut attacks in a form of multiple sclerosis
Research by Knobler and colleagues at UC San Diego and Scripps Clinic reports that alpha interferon reduced attack frequency in 15 patients with the exacerbating-remitting form of multiple sclerosis, a condition affecting about 80,000 Americans. The study, presented at a New York Academy of Sciences meeting, is the first controlled interferon trial in MS, with a placebo group showing some but lesser improvement. Further studies are warranted.