I think it has been suspected to be related to inflammation for a long time and that's why even neuros will say you should take vitamin D and get sun to lower inflammation. I think that's why Copaxone works well for so many, because it tricks the body into thinking there is inflammation in the area of the shot so the body "flares" there instead of going into attack mode on the nervous system.

That is my crude understanding of how they think Copaxone works against MS relapses.

I read the report from Rocky Mountain MS Center with interest too.
I also liked how they tied everything up into perspectives like: The disease should be called Relapsing Repairing. We do well with that until the system can no longer repair itself and then it becomes Progressive. They suggest that the people who do well are fortunate that their systems are able to repair the damage. So a remission is not a true remission. The disease goes on and thankfully the brain has fixed itself.
Some people come along who do not enjoy that luxury. The go right into progression. Its all about our systems being able to self repair.
They also suggest that a patient can appear fine in an exam but the disease can be very active. Makes me wonder if a routine MRI is in order to really see whats going on. And now, the think B-cells may play a larger role than T-cells. Sounds like a lot of study still needs to be done.

One thing is for sure...M.S. involves the immune system and the brain. The two least understood mechanisms in the human body. I always wanted to be an enigma!