(February 27, 2009 - Insidermedicine) A drug called fampridine can improve walking ability for some patients with multiple sclerosis, according to research published in The Lancet.

Here is some information on MS:

•    It is a disease in which inflammation in the brain causes the loss of myelin, a fatty sheath that covers some nerve fibers.

•    Loss of myelin causes disruptions in the brain's communication pathways.

•    The condition can cause multiple types of disabilities, but some of the most common are problems with vision and movement.

Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center randomly assigned over 300 adults with MS to receive fampridine or a placebo for 14 weeks. They measured walking speed and patients' perceptions of how well they could walk before starting the drug and then several times after.

Overall 35% of patients taking fampridine were able to walk faster during at least three of the four testing periods, compared with before they started treatment. Only 8% of patients on placebo achieved this goal. Leg strength and perception of walking ability also improved among those who responded to therapy.

We had a chance to speak with Dr. Andrew Goodman, the principal investigator of this study, who offered some further insight.

Today's research demonstrates that fampridine has the potential to improve the walking ability of individuals with MS, but it remains unclear who will respond to the drug and who will not.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.