Vitamin D and Other Risk Factors in MS and MS Progression
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Alberto Ascherio, MD, DrPH is a Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Ascherio is an internationally recognized expert in the epidemiology of neurodegenerative diseases and his findings have provided new insight into the role of Epstein-Barr virus, vitamin D levels and smoking in MS risk. Building upon his past work, Dr. Ascherio currently has a Society-recommended research grant that will explore MS risk and progression in a group of 1600 individuals.
Dr. Colleen Hayes, PhD is Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She and her collaborators have laid the foundation for much research into the role of Vitamin D and risk for developing MS. Dr. Hayes is the lead author of a forthcoming book chapter entitled "Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis." In a research grant recently recommended for funding by the Society, she and her team will further explore the role of Vitamin D levels and their interaction with the sex hormone estrogen in risk for developing MS.
Dr. Nicholas LaRocca is the National MS Society’s Vice President of Health Care Delivery and Policy Research. He served on the Scientific Planning Committee for an International Workshop on MS Risk Factors and Frequency held in February 2010