Research Insights Episodes

Delve into discussions about recent research findings, emerging therapies, and expert insights that shape the understanding of multiple sclerosis.
412
July 21, 2025

Episode 412: Understanding Late-Onset MS with Dr. Jacqueline Nicholas

More people over the age of 50 are being diagnosed with MS than ever before. When you consider the other health conditions that often develop as we age, and you add the fact that our immune system changes with age, there's a lot to think about when it comes to diagnosing and treating late-onset MS. This week, Dr. Jacqueline Nicholas, the System Chief of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis at the OhioHealth Multiple Sclerosis Center, joins me to help us better understand late-onset MS. We'll...
Episode 412: Understanding Late-Onset MS with Dr. Jacqueline Nicholas
RealTalk MS
Episode 412: Understanding Late-Onset MS with Dr. Jacqueline Nicholas
411
July 14, 2025

Episode 411: An Encouraging Clinical Trial for Progressive MS with Jason Tardio

Back in Episode #401, we reported promising results from a Phase 2 clinical trial for vidofludimus calcium and its impact on progressive MS. This therapy is being developed by Immunic Therapeutics, and this week, Jason Tardio, Immunic's President and Chief Operating Officer, joins me to share some of the specifics of that clinical trial. Jason will also shed light on why Immunic believes that vidofludimus calcium goes beyond merely slowing disability, potentially offering vital neuroprotection ...
Episode 411: An Encouraging Clinical Trial for Progressive MS with Jason Tardio
RealTalk MS
Episode 411: An Encouraging Clinical Trial for Progressive MS with Jason Tardio
410
July 7, 2025

Episode 410: From the International Progressive MS Alliance Digital Tools Workshop -- Part Two

Over the past few months, we've shared news about an algorithm that can accurately predict whether someone living with MS will experience worsening symptoms or a relapse in the weeks ahead. You've heard about a three-quarter-of-a-million-dollar investment by the International Progressive MS Alliance to support the development of an AI-based tool that will predict future disability as well as how someone with MS will respond to different disease-modifying therapies. Just last week, you learned ...
Episode 410: From the International Progressive MS Alliance Digital Tools Workshop -- Part Two
RealTalk MS
Episode 410: From the International Progressive MS Alliance Digital Tools Workshop -- Part Two
403
May 19, 2025

Episode 403: Moving Toward a Biologically Based Description of MS with Dr. Bruce Bebo, Dr. Daniel Ontaneda, and Kathy Smith

Last week, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis convened a meeting in Dublin, Ireland, to dive deeper into what a new framework for describing MS might look like. There's still a tremendous amount of work to be done here. But, considering that whatever language is eventually adopted will affect every person living with MS, I want to keep you fully informed on this important work. So I'm devoting this entire episode o...
Episode 403: Moving Toward a Biologically Based Description of MS with Dr. Bruce Bebo, Dr. Daniel Ontaneda, and Kathy Smith
RealTalk MS
Episode 403: Moving Toward a Biologically Based Description of MS with Dr. Bruce Bebo, Dr. Daniel Ontaneda, and Kathy Smith
398
April 14, 2025

Episode 398: How Breakthrough Discoveries in MS Research Will Impact MS Care with Dr. Amit Bar-Or

Last week, at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting, Dr. Amit Bar-Or received the John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research for his multiple achievements that have advanced our knowledge of neuroimmunology, precision medicine, and biomarkers in MS. We talked with Dr. Bar-Or about how some of the latest discoveries in MS research would impact patient care. Tolebrutinib, an investigational disease-modifying therapy, is currently making its way through the FDA's regulatory proce...
Episode 398: How Breakthrough Discoveries in MS Research Will Impact MS Care with Dr. Amit Bar-Or
RealTalk MS
Episode 398: How Breakthrough Discoveries in MS Research Will Impact MS Care with Dr. Amit Bar-Or
March 14, 2025

Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Kristine Werner Ozug

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Kristine Werner Ozug lives with MS and, full disclosure, she's a member of the RealTalk MS team. After the ACTRIMS Forum, Kristine shared her impressions of the conference. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS...
Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Kristine Werner Ozug
RealTalk MS
Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Kristine Werner Ozug
March 14, 2025

Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Emanuelle Waubant

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Emanuelle Waubant is a neurologist who specializes in treating patients with MS, and she is the Director of the UCSF Regional Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center. At the ACTRIMS Forum, we talked with Dr. Waubant about advances ...
Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Emanuelle Waubant
RealTalk MS
Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Emanuelle Waubant
March 13, 2025

Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Mikael Simons

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Mikael Simons is a neurologist and researcher at Technical University Munich and the Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Munich, Germany, and he's this year's recipient of the Barancik Prize for Innovation in MS Research. ...
Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Mikael Simons
RealTalk MS
Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Mikael Simons
March 13, 2025

Bonus: An ACTRIMS Conversation with Dr. Daniel Reich

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Daniel Reich is a neurologist and neuroradiologist. He is the Director of the Translational Neuroradiology Section at the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. In his clinical practice, Dr. Reich cares for...
Bonus: An ACTRIMS Conversation with Dr. Daniel Reich
RealTalk MS
Bonus: An ACTRIMS Conversation with Dr. Daniel Reich
March 12, 2025

Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Christina Azevedo

Just a couple of weeks ago, 1,800 scientists, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents gathered in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis annual meeting, better known as the ACTRIMS Forum. Dr. Christina Azevedo is an Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Southern California. At the ACTRIMS Forum, we talked with Dr. Azevedo about updates to the McDonald criteria, which are the criteria used to diagnose...
Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Christina Azevedo
RealTalk MS
Bonus: An ACTRIMS Forum Conversation with Dr. Christina Azevedo