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Stopping MS In Its Tracks

Stopping MS in its Tracks
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Pathways to Cures for MS: Stop MS in Its Tracks

Stopping MS means achieving a state of no new disease activity or damage to the brain and spinal cord, no worsening of daily living or quality of life, and no new signs of the disease. By doing this, we prevent disability, and create an environment for damage to be repaired and function to be restored.

Here are just a few examples of Society-funded research teams leading the way:
 

Stopping Progression

There are currently far more treatment options for people living with relapsing forms of MS than for people with progressive MS. Francisco Quintana, PhD (Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston) and colleagues are identifying candidates with potential for protecting the nervous system and/or repairing myelin, the fatty casing that surrounds and protects nerve wires and is damaged in MS. These are goals for new therapies for all forms of MS, and especially progressive MS.  Read more about his study and how the International Progressive MS Alliance is working to end progressive MS.

There are likely many factors that play a role in any one person’s disease course, making it difficult to predict the optimal therapy or future severity. Amber Salter, PhD, MPH (The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas) and collaborators are applying sophisticated data analysis tools to better understand the factors that drive MS progression. They are examining links between comorbidities (MS plus other disorders in an individual) and outcomes from completed MS treatment clinical trials. They are working to harmonize these and other data sources on disability to shed light on MS progression and treatment.

Better Biomarkers

Better “biomarkers” may help to reduce the highly unpredictable nature of MS. Biomarkers are tests that can be used to detect and possibly prevent MS before symptoms appear, and to track the course of disease progression and monitor response to therapy in order to personalize treatment. Peter Calabresi, MD (Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD) is leading a team to determine whether blood levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL, a protein released when nerves are damaged) can be tested to monitor MS and predict its course. Watch a webinar on NfL and other promising biomarkers in MS.

Explore research projects supported by the Society

Learn about all projects we are funding to stop MS in its tracks, restore function, and end MS forever

We’ve never been closer to a cure – learn more about the Stop and other Pathways to Cures for MS

Read about Society-funded research to Restore Function
Read about Society-funded research to End MS by prevention

Research news about stopping MS in its tracks

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