Search our research projects

In this study, people who have signed up to the UK MS Register are asked to complete regular online questionnaires about their MS and how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting their life and MS.

Chief Investigator Professor Jeremy Chataway announces the results of the MS-SMART trial.

We’re proud to fund the first ever multi-arm, multi-stage trial for progressive MS.

Researchers will investigate whether Frame Running is a feasible exercise option for people with MS.

Professor David Baker is hoping to test a new tool, called GloBody, to see if it can tell us when somebody's treatment stops working as well as it should.

We know that MS is likely to be caused by a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors. This research project investigated why the HLA-DR gene is strongly linked with MS.

Beta-interferon is a disease modifying drug (DMD) used to reduce the number of relapses that people with relapsing remitting MS experience. Some people respond well to beta-interferon, some people do not respond well, and others experience bad reactions to the drug.

In progressive MS, damage to the protective myelin coating around nerves can be caused by a number of different factors. Some of this cannot be prevented by existing treatments that aim to reduce the immune attack on myelin, which could be why current treatments haven’t proved effective for people with progressive MS.

There are now a dozen different disease modifying therapies (DMTs) for relapsing forms of MS. But although most people with relapsing MS can benefit from them, no single treatment is right for everybody.

This is a unique programme involving researchers and people with MS across the UK

The role that genes play in MS is a key area of research. So far we’ve discovered over 110 variants in our genes that are linked to MS. Find out more.

The aim of this three-year project is to increase our knowledge about a type of stem cell called mesenchymal stem
cells.

Dr Edgar and her team aim to identify how nerve cells communicate with myelin-making cells.

The MS Society Tissue Bank allows people to donate their brain and spinal cord tissue for MS research after their death. It's a vital resource, with donated tissue helping scientists around the world advance our understanding of MS.

Research has shown that the brain can compensate, adapt to damage and develop new connections that help people recover physical functions of the body such as arm or leg movement.

To stop MS we need to find treatments that repair the damage to the protective myelin coating around nerves. This phase 2 trial will test if a drug called bexarotene can help the brain regenerate myelin in people with MS.

Our researchers are testing whether a flavonoid-rich cocoa drink can help combat fatigue in MS.

We co-funded an innovative three year trial to test potential treatments for secondary progressive MS. Although we found amiloride, fluoxetine and riluzole were not effective, we learnt a lot about biological pathways in MS.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are found in many parts of the body and are usually taken from bone marrow, skin and fat tissue. We have some evidence to suggest they may help promote myelin repair and have a positive effect on the immune system.

This new phase 2a trial will test whether a combination of the drugs metformin and clemastine can help the brain regenerate myelin in people with MS.