Multiple Sclerosis and related disorders

We are investigating the epidemiology, clinical course and pathophysiology of damage and recovery in Multiple Sclerosis and allied neuroinflammatory conditions.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory neurological condition that affects the central nervous systems, causing many physical and neuropsychological problems for sufferers.

Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40, but MS can affect younger and older people too. The causes of MS are unclear, although it is likely that a combination of genetic and environmental factors play a role.

Our research

Our aim is to better characterise the disease and promote the development of novel preventative or recovery-orientated therapeutic strategies. We conduct a combination of investigator-led studies, using a large patient database to facilitate our research and commercial trials on preventative treatments and repair strategies.

Our main areas of interest are:

• Epidemiology and clinical course
• Neuroimmunology
• Prevention of brain damage and clinical disability
• Promotion of recovery from damage and clinical disability
• Development of structural and functional neuroimaging for clinical applications

Collaborations

We have a network of collaborators within the University and the local Health Boards, as well as regional, national and international collaborations. The collaborations are both academic and industrial. We work closely with the MS Society UK for research purposes and to improve patients’ care.

We also arrange an annual meeting bringing together clinicians and scientists from across Wales and the South West of England to discuss updates in MS research.

PhD opportunities

We offer PhD and post-doctoral research opportunities in this area on a regular basis.

Public engagement

Patients are central to our work and we value their input in the research design, as well as their participation, to help maximise the impact of our research.

We hold a biannual ‘MS day’ for patients and their caregivers where we help them understand more about the condition and the advances being made in its management.

Resources

Several resources were developed from our MS Day, developed with input from Prof Robertson and Dr Tallantyre.

You can access them through Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.

For information on the MS Neuroinflammatory Service at the University Hospital of Wales, video resources and further information for people with MS, please visit NHS Wales.

Principal Investigators