A global effort to stop MS
Our new Head of Research Dr Clare Walton joined us from the MS International Foundation. She tells us why she believes a global effort is key to stopping MS.
If the coronavirus pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the tremendous value of scientists around the world working together towards a common goal.
In a matter of months, the global research community made incredible progress in understanding the science of the new virus. Now, thanks to that collaboration, we have effective treatments and vaccines, and hopefully a path back to normal life.
Collaboration has been vital too for understanding the effect of COVID-19 in people with MS on different disease modifying therapies (DMTs). In my former role I led a project to bring together information on 10,000 people with MS from across 80 countries. The team from the MS Society-funded UK MS Register took part and our findings informed the guidance for people with MS from neurologists around the world.
Read the MS International Federation’s global COVID-19 advice
A single, shared vision
But it’s not just about COVID-19. MS researchers all around the world are working together to better understand MS and discover ways to stop it. By combining our resources and sharing knowledge, we can make progress faster.
At least 2.8 million people worldwide are living with MS. And every day in my former role I’d talk to neurologists, researchers and patient organisations from all continents who are united in their ambition to one day stop MS.
Although over recent decades we’ve made great progress in preventing relapses, there are very few treatment options for progressive MS. We're a member of the International Progressive MS Alliance which brings together MS organisations, industry partners and individuals, specifically to speed up development of treatments for progressive MS.
Speeding up development of new treatments
The Alliance awards funding to help researchers with unique expertise and resources in different areas of the world work together to make crucial breakthroughs.
Like the BRAVEinMS Network which brings together teams in Italy, France, Germany, Europe, Canada and the U.S to find drugs that can protect nerve cells in MS.
We hope promising drugs identified in their labs could eventually go on to be tested in Octopus, our new clinical trials platform for progressive MS.
Discovering new treatment approaches
Alliance researchers at the University of Harvard recently found that gut bacteria might help the brain fight inflammation. They discovered a certain group of brain cell called astrocytes, receive messages from gut bacteria. The bacteria triggers them to kill immune cells that are too active in MS. So, gut bacteria might play a role in protecting myelin from immune damage.
But the research team also found that in people with MS, there’s much less communication between gut bacteria and the astrocytes.
This discovery could lead to new treatment approaches for MS, including probiotics to alter the balance of gut bacteria.
Find out more about astrocytes and gut bacteria
Coming together in the face of new challenges
Despite the challenges of the last year, I’ve been thoroughly inspired by how the global MS community has come together.
Progress in medical research can feel too slow at times. But I’m confident that through international collaboration we will find a way to stop MS sooner.
