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
New Funding Opportunity
The Society announces new funding opportunities in Health Care Delivery and Policy Research
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
Flu Vaccines—2009-2010
Nov 19, 2009
Update on flu vaccines, including H1N1 vaccine.
Pregnancy Study Shows Increase in C-Sections and Slightly Lower Fetal Size among Women with MS
Nov 18, 2009
A new study of pregnancy hospitalizations in a large national sample of women with MS shows that the disease is associated with a significant increase in cesarean deliveries and in intrauterine growth restriction (fetal weight below the 10th percentile). However, blood pressure disorders and premature rupture of membranes were not increased. Victoria Kelly, MD, Eliza F. Chakravarty, MD, and colleagues (Stanford University School of Medicine) report what they term “generally reassuring” findings in Neurology (Early online publication, November 18, 2009).
New Data Support Early Interferon Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis
Nov 12, 2009
In a study of 2,570 people with MS, early treatment with interferon therapy was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of MS progression. Maria Trojano, MD (University of Bari, Italy) and colleagues from 14 other Italian centers report their findings in Annals of Neurology. (2009 May 28;66(4):513-520)
Harvard Study Links Teen Obesity in Girls to Increased Risk of Developing MS
Nov 11, 2009
A study of more than 200,000 female nurses suggests that those who were obese at the age of 18 were twice as likely to develop MS later in life. Obesity during earlier childhood or in adulthood was not associated with increased MS risk. Based on this study in women, it is not clear whether the same would hold true for teenaged boys. Kassandra L. Munger, ScD, Alberto Ascherio, MD, DrPH, and colleagues (Harvard School of Public Health, Boston) report their findings in Neurology (2009;73:1543-1550).
Minimally Invasive Radiosurgery May Improve MS Facial Pain that Does Not Respond to Drugs
Nov 11, 2009
Researchers report that minimally invasive surgery using precision radiation (known as gamma knife radiosurgery) relieved facial pain known as trigeminal neuralgia in a group of 37 people who had not fully responded to standard treatments. Dr. Douglas S. Kondziolka (Peter J. Jannetta Professor of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine) and colleagues report their findings in Neurology (2009;73:1149-1154).