Episode 423: Understanding Infections and MS with Dr. Robert Fox
RealTalk MS6 Loka 2025

Episode 423: Understanding Infections and MS with Dr. Robert Fox

From the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, people living with MS have been justifiably concerned about how a COVID-19 infection might impact their MS. As the new "Stratus" strain of COVID-19 is currently surging in the United States, research is providing answers we didn't have five years ago.

Dr. Robert Fox, the Managing Director of the NARCOMS Patient Registry, joins me to discuss how COVID-19 infections and other infections impact people with MS.

As ECTRIMS, the world's largest MS research conference, approached, many attendees anticipated the FDA's decision on whether to approve Tolebrutinib, the first in a new category of disease-modifying therapies. Instead, the FDA has requested additional time for its review. We'll fill you in on the FDA's new target action date, and explain why there's strong interest in this particular disease-modifying therapy.

We know there's a specific gene that increases the risk of someone developing MS. But have you ever wondered where that gene came from, or why it exists at all? At ECTRIMS, Professor Lars Fugger took us on a journey 5,000 years into the past to explain its origin. When I spoke with him, Professor Fugger also explained how events from ancient history are still affecting the risk of developing MS today. You won't want to miss this compelling conversation!

At ECTRIMS, I also caught up with Jason Tardio, the President, and Dr. Andreas Muehler, the Chief Medical Officer, from Immunic Therapeutics. We talked about how their investigative drug, vidofludimus calcium, could potentially benefit people with MS by combating inflammation, protecting the nervous system, and offering antiviral benefits.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week: Infections and MS, and more from ECTRIMS 2025! :22

FDA extends its review of Tolebrutinib 1:42

From ECTRIMS: Professor Lars Fugger discusses the origin of the gene that increases an individual's risk of developing MS 4:11

From ECTRIMS: Jason Tardio, President, and Dr. Andreas Muehler, Chief Medical Officer, at Immunic Therapeutics, discuss how vidofludimus calcium could potentially benefit people with MS 11:22

Dr. Robert Fox discusses what the research reveals about how COVID-19 infections and other infections impact people living with MS 16:34

Share this episode 32:00

Next week's episode 32:19

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS

Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/423

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION

I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!

Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283

And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS

If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com

PARTICIPATE: Take the Shaping Tomorrow Together Survey
https://s.alchemer.com/s3/Perspectives-on-MS

REGISTER: Attend the virtual Shaping Tomorrow Together meeting with the FDA
https://nmss.quorum.us/event/25463

SIGN UP: Become an MS Activist
https://nationalmssociety.org/advocacy

JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms

DOWNLOAD: The RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200

DOWNLOAD: The RealTalk MS App for Android Devices
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk

REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.

RealTalk MS Episode 423
Guests: Professor Lars Fugger, Jason Tardio, Dr. Andreas Meuhler, and Dr. Robert Fox

Privacy Policy

Jaksot(502)

Special Episode: Dr. Aaron Boster Explains MS Clinical Trials

Special Episode: Dr. Aaron Boster Explains MS Clinical Trials

You're living with MS, and maybe you're thinking about participating in an MS clinical trial. But how do they work? Are they safe? What's the difference between Phase 1, 2, and 3 trials? What are the ...

17 Syys 202533min

Episode 420: A DIY Kit for Improving Your MS Journey with Julie Polisena

Episode 420: A DIY Kit for Improving Your MS Journey with Julie Polisena

Disease-modifying therapies are the cornerstone of MS treatment, but they're not the only piece of the puzzle. Beyond prescription medications, self-care that includes making healthy lifestyle choices...

15 Syys 202534min

Episode 419: A Whole-Person Health Approach to MS Care with Dr. Lynne Shinto

Episode 419: A Whole-Person Health Approach to MS Care with Dr. Lynne Shinto

Some people living with MS adhere to a treatment plan based exclusively on what we might consider traditional medicine. Others opt for alternative treatments. And, still, others take a whole-person he...

8 Syys 202533min

Episode 418: The Importance of Developing a Growth Mindset When You're Living With MS with Dr. Mirian Franco

Episode 418: The Importance of Developing a Growth Mindset When You're Living With MS with Dr. Mirian Franco

Living with MS means living with uncertainty, possible physical disability or cognitive dysfunction, bouts of crushing fatigue, mood changes, and let's not forget the very real irritation of well-mean...

1 Syys 202535min

Episode 417: Music and the Body with Emmy Award-Winning Composer Jeff Beal

Episode 417: Music and the Body with Emmy Award-Winning Composer Jeff Beal

If you've watched the critically acclaimed series, House of Cards, on Netflix, or the OCD detective series, Monk, on the USA Network, you've already listened to some of five-time Emmy award-winning co...

25 Elo 202532min

Episode 416: The Updated McDonald Diagnostic Criteria for MS with Dr. Andrew Solomon

Episode 416: The Updated McDonald Diagnostic Criteria for MS with Dr. Andrew Solomon

Since 2001, clinicians have relied on the McDonald Diagnostic Criteria as the gold standard for diagnosing someone with multiple sclerosis. As science continues to add to our understanding of MS, the ...

18 Elo 202527min

Episode 415: Your Money -- Ways to Earn and Hold Onto More of It When You're Living with MS with Beth Scott and Paula Cole

Episode 415: Your Money -- Ways to Earn and Hold Onto More of It When You're Living with MS with Beth Scott and Paula Cole

Living with MS is expensive. Very expensive. It's estimated that the average cost of living with MS is over $88,000 per year. How, in the midst of financial stress and uncertainty, can you formulate a...

11 Elo 202529min

Episode 414: Finding Peace in the Midst of Uncertainty with Andrea Arzt, LCSW, MSCS

Episode 414: Finding Peace in the Midst of Uncertainty with Andrea Arzt, LCSW, MSCS

Living with MS has always meant living with uncertainty. Left unchecked, that uncertainty can lead to anxiety, which can make your MS symptoms feel worse. This week, Licensed Clinical Social Wor...

4 Elo 202533min

Suosittua kategoriassa Terveys ja hyvinvointi

unicast
voi-hyvin-meditaatiot-2
psykopodiaa-podcast
vakeva-elama-viisaampi-mieli-vahvempi-keho
tiedenaiset-podcast
rss-pitaisko-erota
rss-narsisti
terapiassa
junnut-pelissa
puhu-muru
meditaatiot-suomeksi
aamukahvilla
rss-kuumilla-aalloilla
paritellen
rss-uplevel-by-sonja-hannus
rss-mighty-finland-podcast
rss-vapaudu-voimaasi
mielen-puolikkaat
rss-pt-paahtio