The National Multiple Sclerosis Society announces its commitment of $14.6 million in funds to support 43 new MS research projects as part of a comprehensive approach to accelerate breakthroughs to stop multiple sclerosis and restore lost function.
It has invested nearly $36 million in 2019 alone, and more than $1 billion to date, to fund new and ongoing studies around the world.
The new research projects include a study at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital focusing on stopping MS progression by identifying the role of “astrocyte” brain cells; a University of Melbourne, Australia study testing a novel strategy to increase the repair of nerve-insulating myelin damaged by MS; a study at Rutgers University examining whether a high-fiber supplement can normalize the composition of gut bacteria that can be abnormal in MS; and a study at UCLA testing whether a small protein produced in the brain can protect the nervous system from MS damage, National MS Society notes in a media release.
“The Society continues to make strategic research investments to address research priorities that will accelerate breakthroughs and build pathways to cures for MS,” Bruce Bebo, PhD, National MS Society’s Executive Vice President, Research, says.
“This is an exciting and important time in MS research,” shares Cyndi Zagieboylo, the Society’s President and CEO, in the release.
“As our MS prevalence research shows, there are nearly 1 million people with MS in the US — that’s twice as many as previous estimates, and it means twice as many people need answers. That’s why it is so important to fund these studies to find solutions. Each year, hundreds of thousands of volunteers walk, run, bike and make individual donations to fund this research, so people with MS can live their best lives today as we seek a cure.”
[Source(s): National Multiple Sclerosis Society, PRWeb]
