Research Insights Episodes

One afternoon during the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers Annual Meeting, I set up my equipment at the National MS Society's booth in the conference exhibit hall and recorded some conversations with a few old friends and a few new friends of the podcast. In this week's episode, we'll hear a couple of those conversations. Before I left for the conference, I had a chance to catch up with Dr. Saud Sadiq. So, we'll begin this episode with an update on his mesenchymal stem cell clinical tria...

Think about how much faster, easier, cheaper, and less invasive it would be if MS could be diagnosed by a simple blood test. Scientists have identified biomarkers that can be used to diagnose MS and even predict MS before someone experiences any symptoms. Biomarkers may even be used to predict MS progression before it occurs. Joining me to discuss how biomarkers may change the way MS is diagnosed and treated is Dr. Tanuja Chitnis, a Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, as well as ...

For some, the journey to their MS diagnosis is relatively quick and straightforward. For others, it can be lengthy and convoluted, sometimes taking years. Joining me to talk about some of the twists and turns that can pop up on the road to being diagnosed with MS is Dr. Michael Robers, a neurologist in the Multiple Sclerosis Program and an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at Barrow Neurological Institute. We're also talking about a study that measured MS prevalence among Blac...

Mask mandates have mostly ended, and bars, restaurants, public buildings, and other businesses no longer require proof of vaccination. It looks like the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Except for the fact that we're seeing cases of the latest COVID subvariant continue to rise in cities across the country and around the world. So, how do we navigate this post-pandemic world? And if you happen to be immunocompromised, how do you stay safe? Joining me as she has throughout the pandemic, with an update ...

I spent last week attending the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting and in this week's episode of RealTalk MS, I'm sharing an overview of what I saw and what I heard. Each year at the AAN meeting, the American Academy of Neurology and the National MS Society award the John Dystel Prize for MS Research. Joining me on today's podcast is this year's recipient of the Dystel Prize, Professor Xavier Montalban. We're also talking about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected MS research...

Research has shown that hypnosis is an effective treatment for managing chronic pain, including pain associated with MS. My guest, Dr. Mark Jensen, is a Professor and Vice-Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington. Dr. Jensen has devoted his career to developing effective treatments for pain and is an expert on hypnotic interventions. We're also talking about a research team that may have learned how to successfully penetrate the blood-brain barrier (an...

A decade ago, the International Progressive MS Alliance didn't exist. Today, it can be credited with changing the global conversation about progressive MS research, elevating the progressive MS research agenda and moving the work forward. A few weeks ago, the Alliance announced the details of an ambitious strategic plan that will guide their work over the next 3 years. Joining me to talk about the new goals that were set by the Alliance, and what that means for people affected by progressive M...

The Pathways to Cures initiative is focused on stopping MS progression, restoring lost function, and ending MS forever. This bold initiative has already been endorsed by more than 20 MS research and patient organizations around the world. And now, the publication of the Pathways to Cures Research Roadmap has brought us to a pivotal moment in the history of MS research. Joining me in this episode of RealTalk MS are two very special guests, Dr. Carol Whitacre and Professor Alan Thompson. We're ta...

If you're living with MS, there's a good chance that, at some point, you're going to deal with depression, cognitive issues, or both of these common MS symptoms. We're taking a deep dive into how these symptoms can impact your everyday life at home and at work with the author of Mind, Mood, and Memory: The Neurobehavioral Consequences of Multiple Sclerosis, Dr. Anthony Feinstein. We're also highlighting some of the MS research that was presented two weeks ago at the ACTRIMS Forum, the annual m...

Research shows that about 50% of the people living with MS will develop another chronic health condition, or comorbidity, in their lifetime. Whether it's high blood pressure, diabetes, or something else, living with comorbid conditions adds extra challenges to living with MS. Joining me to discuss how comorbidities affect people living with MS and what you can do to avoid developing some of those comorbidities is one of the leading experts on the subject, Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie. We're also talkin...