A new research study being conducted at The Wesley Research Institute (WRI) aims
to stop the progression of early active stage Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in its
tracks.
There are currently more than 2.5 million people worldwide with
MS, a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system.
They
suffer from a range of debilitating symptoms including impaired gait and
mobility, bladder and bowel dysfunction, cognitive and visual impairment, and
profound muscle weakness.
Principal Investigator of the project at the
WRI, Dr Pamela McCombe, is a neurologist at both The Wesley Hospital and Royal
Brisbane and Women's Hospital, and also Chairman of the WRI Research Committee.
"This study might prove to be the strongest, most effective treatment of
MS ever."
"Current treatments for MS only reduce the progression rate of
the disease. This new treatment, if successful, will actually halt the
progression of MS."
"Not only does it aim to stop MS in its tracks but
it will also spare MS sufferers from weekly injections replacing them with
infusions over three consecutive days every year."
"The medication
targets lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) to decrease the inflammatory
reaction responsible for the progression of MS."
Preliminary studies
have demonstrated that as a result of this medication sufferers have experienced
fewer disease relapses, a decrease in the formation of central nervous system
lesions and a reduction in cumulative disabilities.
"This suggests to me
that there is every chance this medication will prove successful and become
widely used."
This is an international study involving 200 sites. The
WRI is one of fifteen sites in Australia to trial this new treatment, and one of
only two in Queensland. The other site is the Gold Coast Hospital.
The
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Queensland said in a statement: "The Multiple
Sclerosis Society of Queensland welcomes the participation of local researchers
in ground breaking research that may one day provide freedom from MS for the
thousands of Australians living with this disease, and endorses the quality of
the contribution of Queensland research in this exciting world-wide effort."
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Article adapted by Medical News Today
from original press release.
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This MS
study forms part of the WRI's commitment to furthering neurological research,
which also includes research into better treatment and diagnoses of brain
tumours and stroke.
The WRI is currently recruiting volunteers for this
study. For more information visit http://www.wesleyresearch.org.au/. The research
study is ethically approved and there are no costs associated with
participation.
The Wesley Research Institute is an independent,
not-for-profit medical research institute based in Brisbane that conducts
research that that aims for immediate improvements to quality of life through
better diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
Source: Colleen McMillan
Research Australia
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