ABOUT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Multiple Sclerosis is a debilitating autoimmune disease in which immune cells travel to the brain and spinal cord and destroy the protective coating that surrounds nerve fibers. Without the protective coating nerves are unable to send messages to different parts of the body and this causes an array of disorders including numbness in hands and feet, muscle weakness, fatigue, and blurred vision. Nerve cell damage can also cause memory loss and confusion. Our cutting edge research brings together an interdisciplinary team of scientists from immunology, neuroscience, molecular biology, and vascular biology to discover and develop potential new therapies for MS.
It is estimated that there are 2.3 million people with MS worldwide. MS is usually diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 50 years old. It is more common in women than men. There are at least 4 types of MS: About 85% of diagnosed people have what is called Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS). In RRMS the symptoms do not worsen during remission. However, RRMS can lead to Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS). In SPMS the disease gradually progresses with or without relapses and remissions. About 15% of people diagnosed with MS have yet another type, named Primary Progressive MS (PPMS). In PPMS the disease worsens over time. There can be plateaus but there are no relapses. The progressive relapsing MS (PRMS) is also a type that is progressive from the beginning. In PRMS there are clear relapses, but without full recovery in between.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
Our research programs are funded primarily by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and private donations. These help accelerate the progress of research through the purchase of laboratory supplies and equipment or the recruitment of additional laboratory personnel. Thank you!