The International Progressive MS Alliance has launched the MS Clinical and Imaging Data Resource (MS CIDR) to accelerate understanding of MS progression. The resource contains anonymized data from 14 pharmaceutical industry clinical trials, including MRI scans and clinical visits data from over 13,000 people with progressive MS.
Dr. Ludwig Kappos has made enormous contributions to MS research, advancing clinical trial conduct and outcome measures, and leading international collaborations. He will formally receive the award at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting in Chicago on April 19, 2026.
The International Progressive MS Alliance has funded three global studies to address common symptoms of progressive MS, such as fatigue and cognitive impairment. These Well-Being Phase II Efficacy Awards aim to develop innovative approaches for improving well-being in people with progressive MS.
Dr. Manuel A. Friese has been recognized for his groundbreaking work studying the interactions between inflammation and nerve cell death, which drives disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). His research aims to identify new therapeutic targets and bring the field closer to stopping disease progression.
The International Progressive MS Alliance has launched the MS Clinical and Imaging Data Resource (CIDR), providing access to anonymized data from thousands of people with MS who participated in clinical trials. The resource aims to accelerate research on progressive MS by enabling investigators to conduct more informed studies and spee...
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is offering funding opportunities for next-generation researchers and clinicians, as well as projects advancing women's health in MS. The American Brain Foundation and US Department of Defense are also providing grants for neuroinflammation research and clinical trials.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has committed $18.1 million to support research projects aligned with its Pathways to Cures roadmap, which aims to stop MS, restore function, and end the disease. The funding includes 16 research grants and 28 training fellowships in the US and internationally.
The International Progressive MS Alliance has awarded €100,000 to three development project teams to plan clinical trials. The projects focus on developing new treatments for progressive MS, including exercise-induced fatigability, neural stem cell therapy, and salbutamol treatment.
Dr. Amit Bar-Or is awarded the 2025 John Dystel Prize for his contributions to neuroimmunology and precision medicine in multiple sclerosis research. His work has led to significant advancements in disease mechanisms, treatment approaches, and biomarker studies.
Dr. Mikael Simons is being recognized for his pioneering research on myelin biology, glial cell biology, and neuroinflammation that continues to inform MS research. His work has helped identify a promising therapeutic target with potential to benefit people with MS.
Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl's groundbreaking research has shed light on the mechanisms underlying sex differences in MS, highlighting a gene on female sex chromosomes that promotes inflammation and brain-protective effects of estrogen. Her work may lead to new treatment approaches for MS.
Dr. Roland Martin is honored for his work on immune mechanisms underlying multiple sclerosis, identifying key genes and nerve-insulating components targeted by immune attacks. His experimental therapy aims to make the immune system ignore those targets while preserving protective immunity.
Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie has made significant contributions to multiple sclerosis research, including the discovery of comorbidities' impact on MS evolution and development of personalized medicine strategies. Her work aims to improve quality of life by stopping and preventing MS through early intervention and targeted treatments.
The National MS Society has launched 40 new research awards to explore myelin repair, clues to MS progression, and wellness strategies to move closer to a world free of MS. The $19 million investment is part of a projected total of nearly $30 million in 2022 to support over 250 new research studies.
Dr. Xavier Montalban has made significant contributions to understanding multiple sclerosis, improving its diagnosis, and testing ground-breaking therapies. He developed criteria to determine if a disease-modifying therapy is working, informing decisions for switching treatments.
Vijay Kuchroo's research unravels the immune mechanisms of Multiple Sclerosis, identifying key proteins and molecules that regulate T cell activity. His work opens pathways to develop immune-modulating therapies and advance treatments for MS.
Bergles pioneered the study of immature brain cells that can repair myelin after it's destroyed in multiple sclerosis. His work aims to promote myelin repair and restore function for people with MS.
A review published in Neurology clarifies the different courses of multiple sclerosis (MS) and disease activity, aiming to improve patient care and clinical trial outcomes. The experts define four subtypes: clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing remitting MS, secondary progressive MS, and primary progressive MS.
Dr Ian Duncan has made groundbreaking research on how myelin is damaged in multiple sclerosis and how it may be repaired. His work focuses on transplanting myelinating cells to promote function in people with MS.
The International Pediatric MS Study Group has released updated standards for clinical trials involving children and teens with multiple sclerosis. The new recommendations prioritize pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies, phase 3 trials in adults considering teenagers, and open-label extension studies to ensure high-quality evidence ...
A revised set of diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis is expected to improve the accuracy and speed of diagnosis. The new guidelines, published in The Lancet Neurology, provide more avenues for obtaining supporting evidence for diagnosis, including positive CSF oligoclonal bands and asymptomatic MRI lesions.
A new report refines descriptions of multiple sclerosis (MS) courses, categorizing progressive relapsing as an active form of primary progressive MS. The updated definitions aim to enhance research, clinician-patient communication, and clinical trial design.
A new US-based clinical trial is testing whether high-dose vitamin D supplements can reduce multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity when added to standard therapy. The study aims to determine the effectiveness of vitamin D in reducing relapse rates and improving quality of life among participants with relapsing-remitting MS.
The revised McDonald Criteria simplify the diagnostic process by incorporating new data on MRI, speeding up diagnosis while maintaining accuracy. The updated criteria apply primarily to individuals with clinically isolated syndrome or symptoms consistent with a central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating disease.
The International Pediatric MS Study Group has published a supplement on pediatric MS research and care, highlighting the need for standardized diagnosis and treatment. The study group aims to improve understanding of MS in children and adolescents, and its management, with the goal of enhancing international collaborative research.
A nationwide study found that despite high insurance coverage rates, many individuals with MS struggle financially due to unaffordable healthcare costs. The study revealed a significant proportion of participants made lifestyle changes, skipped medication doses, or went without essential necessities to pay for healthcare needs.
Research suggests that initiating MS therapy with an immunomodulating drug as soon as possible following a diagnosis can significantly reduce future disease activity and progression of disability. Studies have shown that delaying treatment is associated with more progression of disability and larger volumes of disease damage.
Researchers have been awarded $15.6 million to develop tools for repairing nervous tissue damage in multiple sclerosis (MS), a promising step forward for this debilitating disease. The funds will support international collaborations of leading scientists and physicians working to protect against and repair MS-related nerve damage.
Researchers discovered that neural stem cells can migrate to damaged brain areas and turn off activated immune cells, reducing inflammation. In a breakthrough, mice with MS-like disease showed significant recovery after transplanting, with reduced relapses and myelin damage.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has launched a $100 million brain repair initiative aimed at restoring nerve function in people with MS. The program will fund research into new disease models, advanced MRI monitoring tools, and human clinical trials.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has awarded $2.48 million to advance research on multiple sclerosis through five collaborative centers. These centers are focused on genetic underpinnings of MS, tissue repair and diagnostic technology, including the use of haplotype mapping and diffusion tensor MR imaging.