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Multiple Sclerosis Australia, commonly referred to as MS Australia, is a national non-profit organization which conducts research and advocacy in support of individuals affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS Australia was registered as a charitable entity in Australia in the year 1975. [1] As of July 2021, there were over 25,000 people living with multiple sclerosis in Australia [2] and MS Australia assists Australians living with or otherwise affected by MS. [3]
The organisation characterises its approach as one that leverages Australia's unique strengths within the broader global landscape of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research. MS Australia says that it is committed to fostering the Australian MS research network while actively pursuing several overarching research objectives. These research objectives encompass:
MS Australia encourages a national collaborative effort into MS research. The organisation seeks to enable researchers to make discoveries not possible when working alone by inviting individual research teams to apply for support while also supporting major platform' projects. There are numerous instances of MS Australia providing research grants to individual researchers or research teams. [5] [6] [7]
MS Australia was first established as the Australian MS Society in 1956, with the first general meeting held in February 1957. Nine years earlier, in 1947, American Sylvia Lawry founded the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in New York, and co-founded the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation the same year. Soon after followed the establishment of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada in 1948 and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain in 1953. The Australian MS Society was therefore the fourth society globally to be established for multiple sclerosis support and advocacy. [8]
In 2004, MS Australia established a subsidiary research branch called MS Research Australia. In June 2020, MS Research Australia was integrated into MS Australia as a fully integrated organisation under one CEO and Board.[ citation needed ]
MS Australia states that the organisation's medium to long term strategy focuses on funding research to better understand the biological basis of MS to prevent the disease from being triggered and causing further damage. Simultaneously, this research investigates how existing damage can be repaired to reverse disability.[ citation needed ]
MS Australia’s short-term strategy focuses on clinical research to measure the benefits of seeking alternative ways to manage MS symptoms. [9] The Australian MS Longitudinal Study (AMSLS) measures the physical, social and economic impact of MS on Australians for advocacy and service development purposes.[ citation needed ]
MS Australia currently approaches these strategies through several branches:
MS Australia claims to have achieved the following through its funding and research efforts:
MS Australia describes their advocacy role for the MS community within Australia as comprising three levels:
MS Australia works with state MS bodies, connecting MS community members (including those living with the disease, family, friends, and carers) with support, information, and community. The organisation also advocates for these state bodies in communities and with the federal government. [24]
There are four state MS bodies:
MS Australia is also a partner of several Australian support and advocacy groups, such as Rare Voices Australia (RVA), a body which promotes the creation of an Australian National Rare Disease Plan. [25]
MS Australia has close relationships with numerous community representative groups to build awareness of key issues for people with MS. [26] MS Australia is a member of the following alliances:
MS Australia regularly seeks opportunities to contribute to policy development and government reviews by submitting proposals to the Australian government. These submissions range from those which propose a re-evaluation of cannabinoids by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to facilitate cannabinoid usage for people suffering from MS, to providing information for the National Disability Employment Strategy about key areas affecting people with MS. [27] [28] [29]
MS Australia is involved with numerous international MS organizations. These include:
The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation comprises 48 MS societies worldwide, including MS Australia. [30] Several MS Australia executive staff hold significant positions on the MSIF Board and fulfill MSIF committee roles.[ citation needed ]
MS Australia participates annually in World MS Day, which occurs on 30 May and is led by MSIF. Associated activities occur throughout May and early June and are designed to bring the global MS community together to raise awareness of the disease and campaign with all those affected by MS.[ citation needed ]
MS Australia is a managing member of the Alliance. Key staff are representatives on a variety of committees including the Executive Committee which is responsible for the oversight, strategic intent, and governance of the global collaborative, the Scientific Steering Committee, and the Fundraising and Communications committee.[ citation needed ]
Source: [31]
MS Brain Health is an initiative calling for a radical change in the management of MS based on a 2015 report that discusses diagnosis, therapeutic strategies and improving access to treatment in MS. [32] MS Australia keenly endorses this initiative, and several key MS Australia personnel are directly involved with supporting the MS Brain Health global initiative. [33]
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which the insulating covers of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged. Being a demyelinating disease, MS disrupts the ability of parts of the nervous system to transmit signals, resulting in a range of signs and symptoms, including physical, mental, and sometimes psychiatric problems. Symptoms include double vision, vision loss, eye pain, muscle weakness, and loss of sensation or coordination. MS takes several forms, with new symptoms either occurring in isolated attacks or building up over time. In relapsing forms of MS, between attacks, symptoms may disappear completely, although some permanent neurological problems often remain, especially as the disease advances. In progressive forms of MS, bodily function slowly deteriorates once symptoms manifest and will steadily worsen if left untreated.
Biogen Inc. is an American multinational biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States specializing in the discovery, development, and delivery of therapies for the treatment of neurological diseases to patients worldwide. Biogen operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Interferon beta-1a is a cytokine in the interferon family used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). It is produced by mammalian cells, while interferon beta-1b is produced in modified E. coli. Some research indicates that interferon injections may result in an 18–38% reduction in the rate of MS relapses.
The Multiple Sclerosis Society is the UK's largest charity for people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). Based in London, it has offices and local groups in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It gained charitable company status in 2010.
Nabiximols (USAN) sold under the brand name Sativex, is a specific Cannabis extract that was approved in 2010 as a botanical drug in the United Kingdom. Nabiximols is sold as a mouth spray intended to alleviate neuropathic pain, spasticity, overactive bladder, and other symptoms of multiple sclerosis; it was developed by the UK company GW Pharmaceuticals. In 2019, it was proposed that following application of the spray, nabiximols is washed away from the oral mucosa by the saliva flow and ingested into the stomach, with subsequent absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract. Nabiximols is a combination drug standardized in composition, formulation, and dose. Its principal active components are the cannabinoids: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Each spray delivers a dose of 2.7 mg THC and 2.5 mg CBD.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) is an American nonprofit organization founded in 1946. It is an organization dedicated to supporting individuals affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) and funding research to find a cure for the disease. They provide resources, support services, advocacy efforts, and educational programs to improve the lives of people with MS and their families.
Intention tremor is a dyskinetic disorder characterized by a broad, coarse, and low-frequency tremor evident during deliberate and visually-guided movement. An intention tremor is usually perpendicular to the direction of movement. When experiencing an intention tremor, one often overshoots or undershoots one's target, a condition known as dysmetria. Intention tremor is the result of dysfunction of the cerebellum, particularly on the same side as the tremor in the lateral zone, which controls visually guided movements. Depending on the location of cerebellar damage, these tremors can be either unilateral or bilateral.
Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) refers to daily naltrexone dosages that are roughly one-tenth of the standard opioid addiction treatment dosage. Most published research suggests a daily dosage of 4.5 mg, but this can vary by a few milligrams. Low-dose naltrexone has been studied for the treatment of multiple chronic pain disorders including fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, and complex regional pain syndrome.
The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) was established in 1967 as an international body linking the activities of various national MS societies. The federation seeks to partner with member societies and the international scientific community to eliminate multiple sclerosis and its consequences, and to advocate for those affected by multiple sclerosis.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) is a medical association representing physicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals who specialize in infectious diseases. It was founded in 1963 and is based in Arlington, Virginia. As of 2018, IDSA had more than 11,000 members from across the United States and nearly 100 other countries on six different continents. IDSA's purpose is to improve the health of individuals, communities, and society by promoting excellence in patient care, education, research, public health, and prevention relating to infectious diseases. It is a 501(c)(6) organization.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Several therapies for it exist, although there is no known cure.
Ocrelizumab, sold under the brand name Ocrevus, is a medication used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. It is a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. It targets CD20 marker on B lymphocytes and is an immunosuppressive drug. Ocrelizumab binds to an epitope that overlaps with the epitope to which rituximab binds. It is administered by intravenous infusion. The fixed-dose combination ocrelizumab/hyaluronidase is administered by subcutaneous injection.
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The Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis is a multiple sclerosis research and treatment center in New York City.
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There are several ways for pharmaceuticals for treating multiple sclerosis (MS) to reach the market.
Multiple Sclerosis Australia, or MS Australia, is a national non-profit organization in Australia that coordinates and allocates funds for multiple sclerosis research.
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