The National MS Society is a driving force of MS research, relentlessly pursuing prevention, treatment and cure. We devote nearly $50 million each year to a spectrum of key initiatives and other projects based on the guiding principles:
- Speed. Finding expeditious ways to conduct research, forge relationships, bridge barriers and garner resources to propel research forward
- Collaboration. Fostering coalitions worldwide with experts in other fields and diseases to make rapid and meaningful progress
- Possibilities. Fueling novel ideas, potential therapies, projects and technologies to discover and pursue every avenue that holds promise
The hope for new, more effective treatments and a cure for MS has never been greater. The chapter has significantly contributed to MS research, both locally and nationally.
- Promise 2010. Learn about the chapter’s commitment to raise money for this global research effort
- Local Research. Discover the local projects that the chapter has contributed to this year
Promise: 2010 is a nationwide effort that will raise at $35 million over 5 years to fund four targeted areas that hold great potential in for MS, but which have so far been under-explored.
- Nervous System Repair and Protection Initiative
- Pediatric MS Centers of Excellence
- Sonya Slifka Longitudinal Study
- MS Lesion Project
Since 2006, the chapter has been raising funds for the Promise: 2010 campaign, focusing our support on the Nervous System Repair and Protection Initiative. So far, the chapter has raised $1 million for the Promise 2010 campaign.
So far, chapters nationwide have raised $30 million. We are still $5 million short of fulfilling the last year of this research project! Please donate today, so that we can continue these unique, collaborative research projects.
In our fiscal year 2008-2009, $2.4 million of Society funds was provided to seven local researchers. These researchers are helping us understand MS, find innovative treatments, and discover a cure. With continued support from donors, the chapter hopes to expand funding to more researchers and projects in our community.
Joseph Cantor, Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla
Category: Immunology
Funding: $156,515
Term: 12/1/2008-11/30/2011
“Targeting integrin signaling in multiple sclerosis” Studying mechanisms that control the ability of immune cells to penetrate the brain, for insights into ways to refine therapies that target those mechanisms.
Michael David, Ph.D.
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla
Category: Immunology
Funding: $448,287
Term: 4/1/2007-3/31/2010
“Type I interferon suppression of IL-2 production” How interferons reduce relapses in MS, to improve their use and to identify new therapeutic targets.
Thomas Lane, Ph.D.
University of California, Irvine
Irvine
Category: CNS Repair
Funding: $487,292
Term: 4/1/2007-3/31/2010
“Progenitor cell-induced remyelination following viral infection of the CNS” Exploring cell implantation as a potential therapy for repairing nervous system damage.
Category: CNS Repair
Funding: $44,000
Term: 11/1/2007-10/31/2009
“Human stem cells and remyelination in EAE” Investigating a novel treatment strategy to repair nervous system damage in MS.
Charitha Madiraju, Ph.D.
The Burnham Institute
La Jolla
Category: Immunology
Funding: $133,825
Term: 8/1/2007-7/31/2010
“Targeting Ubc13 for treatment of multiple sclerosis” Drug discovery aimed at developing small molecules that inhibit a critical signaling enzyme implicated in MS.
Richard Milner, M.D., Ph.D.
The Scripps Research Institute
La Jolla
Category: Immunology
Funding: $626,997
Term: 8/1/2006-7/31/2011
“Microglial activation by fibronectin and vitronectin in demyelinating disease” Investigating proteins that may induce brain cells to participate in the immune attack and cause damage in MS.
Elizabeth Morrison, M.D.
University of California, Irvine
Irvine
Category: Health Care Delivery/Policy
Funding: $296,941
Term: 7/1/2009-6/30/2011
“The challenge of giving care to people with multiple sclerosis” Developing a questionnaire for people with MS to evaluate the nature and extent of abuse by caregivers, study risk factors linked to abuse, and estimate its prevalence.
Learn more about these MS research projects and others funded by the Society.