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Investigators Seeking People with Primary Progressive MS and Other Forms of MS for Study of Gut Bacteria

August 7, 2017

Summary: Investigators at the University of California in San Francisco are recruiting people with MS for an international study of the gut microbiome – the population of bacteria in the gut – in MS. They are seeking people with primary progressive MS nationwide (there is no need for onsite visits), as well as people with any other type of MS who can make a one-time visit to San Francisco, New York, Boston or Pittsburgh. The overall purpose of these studies is to investigate the potential role of gut bacteria in MS.
 
Rationale: MS involves immune-system attacks against the brain and spinal cord. The gut, including the small and large intestine, is the largest immune organ in mammals. Each of us has millions of bacteria living within our guts. Mostly, this “gut microbiome” is harmless and emerging research suggests that it is critical in the establishment and maintenance of immune balance, and it may even play a role in the immune attack in MS.
 
With support from the National MS Society, an international, multi-center team is conducting a comprehensive analysis of gut bacteria in people with MS. The International Multiple Sclerosis Microbiome Study (iMSMS) is collecting biospecimens (blood and stool) from 4,000 people (2,000 with MS and 2,000 without) to catalogue individual bacteria populations and to understand which species may protect people from getting MS, or put them at high risk of getting MS. The results will help to shape a clinical trial that will test the ability to manipulate gut bacteria to alter the course of MS.
 
How to Get Involved: Participants should be between the ages of 18 and 80 with a diagnosis of MS, and have no other autoimmune or gastrointestinal diseases.
 
People with primary progressive MS can enroll nationwide. If they qualify, participants will be asked to provide a blood sample (by going to a local Quest lab), and a stool sample. Participants will receive a form to bring to Quest, and a stool sample kit with instructions.
 
People with any type of MS who qualify will be invited for a one-time visit to any of our recruiting centers listed below. Participants, as well as non-genetically related household partners who do not have MS or any other autoimmune disease, will be asked to provide a blood sample, and will be provided with a kit to take home and mail back a stool sample. The on-site visit will also include some cognitive and motor assessments, a neurological exam, and dietary questionnaires.
 
Contact: If you are interested in more information or participating, please visit http://imsms.org/?page_id=21 or contact one of the sites listed below:
 
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA - 415-502-7615, SanFrancisco@imsms.org
Mount Sinai, New York, NY – 212-241-6854, NewYork@imsms.org
Brigham and Women’s Hospital | Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA – 617-732-5588, Boston@imsms.org
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA – 412-624-9126, Pittsburgh@imsms.org

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. Currently there is no cure. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include disabling fatigue, mobility challenges, cognitive changes, and vision issues. An estimated 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to minimize disability. Significant progress is being made to achieve a world free of MS.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

The National MS Society, founded in 1946, is the global leader of a growing movement dedicated to creating a world free of MS. The Society funds cutting-edge research for a cure, drives change through advocacy and provides programs and services to help people affected by MS live their best lives. Connect to learn more and get involved: nationalMSsociety.org, Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram, YouTube or 1-800-344-4867.

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