New patient education video and guidebook for MS patients

Silver screen star Teri Garr is the host of the American Academy of Neurology Foundation's newest patient education video and guidebook, Living Well: A Guide to Managing Multiple Sclerosis for Patients and Families. The video and guidebook are aimed at answering important questions for newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and their caregivers and can be viewed for free at www.aan.com/patients. A DVD and printed booklet can be ordered from www.aan.com/patients as well.

In addition, free copies of the DVD and guidebook are being made available to neurologists at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Toronto, April 10-17, 2010, to take back to their practices and share with patients.

Garr, a longtime film and TV star, has appeared in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Tootsie, and guest spots on the comedy Friends. She was featured in the inaugural issue of Neurology Now® magazine, where she detailed her diagnosis and how she lives with MS. Garr is also a staunch MS patient advocate in her roles as a National Ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and chair for the Society's Women On the Move program.

Fellows of the AAN Aaron E. Miller, MD, and Fred D. Lublin, MD, also appear in the video with expert advice to help families understand the symptoms and treatments and to provide guidance about long-term care.

"A diagnosis of MS comes with many decisions for family and caregivers," said Miller. "The video aims to help families that may feel overwhelmed and answer some basic questions so they can feel more comfortable in working with neurologists and making decisions about care."

The DVD presents an overview of the signs and types of MS, along with treatment options and tips on adjusting to changes that come with living daily with the disorder. The guidebook also provides a list of trusted resources for patients.

In addition, the video will be broadcast in several television markets, including Washington, DC; Detroit; Minneapolis; and St. Louis. Dates and air times will be announced on AAN.com in late spring.

There are currently an estimated 400,000 Americans living with multiple sclerosis, with an additional 200 people diagnosed in the United States each week.

Living Well: A Guide to Managing Multiple Sclerosis for Patients and Families is a presentation of the American Academy of Neurology and is sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation.

SOURCE American Academy of Neurology Foundation (AAN Foundation)