MS Ireland
Informing, Supporting and Caring for the MS Community
Throughout the 20th century, research has continued to map the precise pathophysiology of MS, with investigative methods becoming ever more sophisticated as technology has advanced.
During the 1940s (14), Dr Elvin Kabat was investigating the immunological response seen in all MS patients. Based at the Department of Neurology, Columbia University, USA, Kabat used the recently developed technique of electrophoresis to study samples from MS patients.
Kabat compared the electrophoretic pattern of proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum from controls and MS patients and found that the CSF from MS patients contained an increased proportion of gamma globulins (14). The slide reproduces the electrophoretic patterns found by Kabat (14), with the increased gamma globulin visible in the MS sample.
Kabat's key finding confirmed an immunological component in MS, a concept first postulated in the late 19th century. Subsequent research has tried to understand why the immune system generates this inappropriate response and potential treatments have focused on trying to suppress the immunological activity which leads to demyelination.
Global experts publish recommendations for overcoming challenges to improve clinical trials in progressive MS A special issue of Multiple Sclerosis Journal, sponsored by the International Progressive MS Alliance, has been published, containing papers that review the challenges and the potential solutions to improving clinical trials and their outcomes so that new treatments become available for people living with progressive MS. All of the papers are available to view and share Topics covered include: The evolving role of people with MS in clinical research - Some progress but more is needed Progressive MS trials: Lessons learned Targets of therapy in progressive MS Fluid biomarker and electrophysiological outcome measures for progressive MS trials
NUI Galway trial of the Pain Course, an online pain self-management programme for adults with chronic pain. The Centre for Pain Research at NUI Galway is currently recruiting people with chronic pain (pain which has lasted for 3 months or more) to take part in a trial of the Pain Course, a free, online and internet-delivered pain self-management programme. The study offers adults with chronic pain the opportunity to avail of this 8 week, online Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy course, in the comfort of their own home. The Pain Course, was developed by a team of experts at MacQuarie University, Sydney, Australia. The Centre for Pain Research, in collaboration with the research team at MacQuarie University, is conducting a research trial of the Pain Course with adults, who experience chronic pain, and live in Ireland. As many people with chronic pain are unable to access specialist pain management services, this Course provides people with a programme that teaches them about and how to manage chronic pain, with clinician telephone support, in their own home. Living with chronic pain is very challenging and affected persons can also struggle with anxiety and depression for very understandable reasons. Chronic pain can, therefore, significantly disrupt a person’s life. The Pain Course provides good information and teaches practical skills to help manage the impact of pain on a person’s day-to-day activities, feelings of well-being and overall quality of life. A pilot study that examined the acceptability of the Pain Course among a small group of adults with chronic pain in Ireland, found that the majority of participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the Course. All participants found the programme to be worthwhile and would recommend it to others. Feedback was predominantly positive: “I have learned the basics about chronic pain … Having this information now and using the skills delivered in the course, I find that I think about everything in a different way now” and “The course showed me that I am not alone.” Study supervisor, Professor Brian McGuire, from School of Psychology at NUI Galway, said: “This important collaboration with colleagues at MacQuarie University, who have developed a broad range of online treatment programmes, will enable us to help people in Ireland to have increased access to effective treatment to manage the impact of chronic pain.” Catherine Navin, a clinical psychologist, at NUI Galway, who coordinates the study, said “Over 1,000 Australians have completed the Pain Course with very encouraging results and we are hopeful that adults with chronic pain in Ireland will similarly benefit from this treatment.” Get in touch For further information, please contact Catherine by emailing, painresearch@nuigalway.ie, or phone 091 495832, or visit Centre of Pain website. The study is open to people all over Ireland and will take place over the coming months. GPs, physiotherapists or psychologists are also encouraged to refer suitable people with pain to the study.
Date for your diary! MS Research Explored free public lecture. Date: Thursday, 30th November 2017 Time: TBC Venue: Trinity Biomedial Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin More details to follow...
Survey Closed A big thank you to everyone who has completed our research priorities survey so far! It is hoped that as and when funding is available for research in the future, the results of this survey will help guide us as to how best to utilize them so that we are funding research that is most in line with the views and needs of the MS community here in Ireland. The survey will also help us to identify and prioritise potential new research partnerships and collaborations, both nationally and internationally, and guide us as to what type of content people would most like to see disseminated in future research eZines. If you haven’t yet completed the survey, it is not too late – the survey will remain open until Friday 27th October. After that, a summary of the results will be presented to a group of Irish MS researchers at the end of November. We will then produce a full detailed report of the findings.
We are live streaming talks from our 'Living Well with MS' Conference in Sligo this Saturday, September 23rd. You can join us on the day from anywhere around the world... We are delighted to welcome our guest speakers: Dr. Orla Gray, Neurologist, Queens Hospital, Belfast @ 10am Dr. Deirdre Corby, DCU School of Nursing @ 11am Dr. Sinead Hynes, OT, NUIG @ 12.15pm Dympna McNamee, Social Worker @ 2.30pm Tune in on Saturday, 23rd September from 9.45am. Click the link below and join the conversation. #MSLiving https://youtu.be/Bj8_Ug7ftMM
Have you got something to say about what your life is like living with MS in Ireland? Will you share it with the world? Find out how to get involved with our community blog MS & Me...
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02 November 2017: Comedy Night in aid of MS Ireland Comedy Night - ...
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