People with the progressive forms of MS – where the effects of the disease progressively worsen over time – have only a few treatment options, and answers are urgently needed. MSIF together with the MS Societies of Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States, have convened an International Progressive MS Collaborative dedicated to finding solutions, now.

MS is a chronic, unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and the body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. MS affects an estimated 2.1 million people worldwide.

The global MS community is committed to finding solutions to address the complexity ofprogressive MS. The newly formed International Progressive MS Collaborative is dedicated to working together, to identify and maximise worldwide resources to propel this effort forward.

Research priorities have been identified, and each will be tackled with a multi-disciplinary approach to drive new therapies for people with progressive MS.

As the collaborative continues to gain momentum, additional information and progress will be broadly communicated, and specific opportunities to support this work will be made available worldwide.

Find out more about the International Progressive MS Collaborative

Source: Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (28/08/12)