Coffee consumption and MS risk
March 7, 2016New research published last week has shown that consuming large amounts of coffee decreases the risk of developing MS.read more
Research
Why do people with MS get hotter during exercise?
March 1, 2016Heat sensitivity in people with MS is well documented, however the underlying physiological mechanisms are still unclear.read more
Interview on Stem Cell Research
February 23, 2016Stem Cell research is currently front of mind for the media and many people with MS. MS Translate recently interviewed Dr Violaine Harris from the Tisch MS Research Centre in…read more
Ocrelizumab designated a ‘Breakthrough Therapy’ by FDA for primary progressive MS
February 22, 2016Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, announced in a February 16 press release that the experimental therapy ocrelizumab has been granted ‘Breakthrough Therapy designation’ by the US Food and…read more
Genetic variation in the Epstein-Barr Virus
February 22, 2016An article published recently in the journal PLOS One led by Western Australian researchers Dr Monica Tschochner and Dr David Nolan from Murdoch University in Perth, has found new evidence…read more
Global success and engagement for Kiss Goodbye to MS
February 22, 2016Kiss Goodbye to MS has launched around the world. This is a crucial moment for MS as the world unites to increase the funding available for MS research globally.read more
Neurologist shortage predicted to widen
February 10, 2016The current supply of neurologists in New Zealand is 36 full-time equivalents (FTE), insufficient to meet current demand of 74 FTE. Demand will grow over time and if status quo…read more
Gilenya not effective for slowing disease progression in primary progressive MS
February 5, 2016Following our earlier report in 2014 of disappointing preliminary results from a phase III clinical trial of Gilenya (fingolimod) in people with primary progressive MS (PPMS), the full results of…read more
New psychological treatment for depression in early MS
January 28, 2016Mental health issues are common in people with MS, and in particular can have a significant impact in the period immediately following diagnosis.read more
International research adding more pieces to the vitamin D puzzle
January 28, 2016Many observational studies have provided evidence that low levels of vitamin D in the blood are associated with an increased risk of developing MS and are also associated with more…read more
Epilepsy drug slows nerve damage in optic neuritis
January 28, 2016Researchers from the UK have this week published results suggesting that a medication used to treat epilepsy may hold promise for preventing nerve damage and slowing the accumulation of disability…read more
Ocrelizumab shows the way forward for research into treatments for progressive forms of MS
January 28, 2016Ocrelizumab, an experimental new treatment option for MS, has had promising results in recent Phase III clinical trials for both primary progressive MS and relapsing remitting MS.read more
Investigating the overlap between type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis
December 10, 2015JDRF Australia is the national funding body for research into type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease which has much in common with MS.read more
Mingling of minds and expertise – the 2015 Progress in MS Research Conference
December 10, 2015The 2015 Progress in MS Research Conference, held recently in Melbourne, was a resounding success with researchers and clinicians from all over Australia coming together to discuss results and ideas.read more
Studying the genes that are switched on and off in the brain
December 10, 2015In March this year we wrote about Dr Cheryl Li, an early career researcher from the University of Sydney who received the Ian Ballard Travel Award, to collaborate and learn…read more
Inconclusive phase II trial of oestrogen supplements for MS
December 10, 2015A clinical trial of sex hormone estriol (oestrogen) supplementation in women with MS has not found a definitive benefit for reducing MS inflammatory activity or preventing relapses.read more
Progressive MS
November 24, 2015The International Progressive MS Alliance is a growing global initiative to end progressive MS.read more
The role of vitamin D in MS risk – webinar with Professor Robyn Lucas
November 24, 2015Low levels of vitamin D, UV radiation, and sun exposure are well established risk factors for MS. However, it is not yet clear whether supplementation of these factors could prevent…read more
Australian study identifies distinct ‘methylation signature’ in immune cells
November 24, 2015It is known that people develop MS due to a combination of risk genes and environmental factors. One way that environmental factors can interact with genes is through methylation.read more
Australian researchers identify culprit molecule on MS immune cells
November 4, 2015Researchers from the University of Adelaide have identified a key protein on the surface of cells that controls the immune attack in MS.read more