Research in MS is progressing at a remarkable rate, with more potential therapies in the pipeline than at any other time in history. The National MS Society is a driving force of MS research, supporting and stimulating world-class research into ways to prevent, better treat and cure this unpredictable disease of the brain and spinal cord. Learn how far we’ve come, where we’re going and what the Society and others are doing to move toward a world free of MS.
Research News
Bulletins about research progress from around the world
Research We Fund
The who, what, where, why and how of the Society’s cutting-edge MS research
Intriguing Leads on the Horizon
Exciting leads and clinical trials researchers are pursuing
Clinical Trials
These treatment trials urgently need patients willing to participate
Researchers Need You
How you can help move research forward by getting involved
How Far We’ve Come
History and timeline of progress, and how the Society has helped propel these advances
Recent Research News
MS Trial Alert - Single-Dose Experimental IV Drug “RTL1000” Recruiting MS Patients at Five Sites Nationwide
Jul 18, 2008
Investigators at six sites across the United States are enrolling participants in a clinical trial evaluating the safety of a single dose of an intravenous drug called RTL1000 (Artielle ImmunoTherapeutics, Inc.) compared to inactive placebo in 36 people with relapsing-remitting or secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis.
Researchers Reprogram Adult Stem Cells in Mouse Brain to Become Myelin-Making Cells
Jul 16, 2008
Researchers report that adult stem cells in mice that are on their way to becoming nerve cells can be redirected by changing a single gene to turn into cells that make nerve fiber-insulating myelin – the substance that is a key target of the immune attack in MS. Fred Gage, PhD (The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, LaJolla) Sebastian Jessberger, PhD (now at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) and colleagues report their findings in Nature Neuroscience (June 29, 2008, electronic publication ahead of print). Further research is needed to translate these findings in people and to determine their significance to myelin repair in MS. The study was funded by multiple agencies including the National Institutes of Health.
Caffeine Protects Mice from MS-like Disease, But More Research Required to Translate Results to People
Jul 09, 2008
New Description
Previous Report of Two Cases of Melanoma (Skin Cancer) Reported in People Taking Tysabri for MS Updated with Company Rebuttal
Jul 02, 2008
Physicians in Boston have reported two cases of melanoma (skin cancer) that developed in women in their practice who were administered Tysabri® (natalizumab, Biogen Idec and Elan Pharmaceuticals) to treat their multiple sclerosis. In a letter to the editor published in the July 3, 2008 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine (2008; 359[1]:99-100), Dr. Michael A. Panzara and other representatives of Biogen Idec, Inc., pointed out that individual case reports, such as were reported by Dr. Mullen and colleagues, do not provide an adequate basis for proving cause and effect.
Are You Using Complementary/Alternative Therapies? It’s Time to Talk, Says the NIH
Jun 27, 2008
According to some estimates, as many as 60% of people with MS use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). At least one survey suggests that only one-third of CAM users inform their healthcare providers of the fact. This can lead to dangerous drug interactions, a potential misreading of symptoms, and an overall lack of coordinated care. It’s time to talk about CAM, says the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine of the National Institutes of Health, which has launched the “Time to Talk” campaign to encourage patients and health care providers to openly discuss the use of complementary and alternative therapies.