Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory condition that prevents the proper functioning of the central nervous system. This debilitating condition is most commonly diagnosed in young adults. It is not known what triggers multiple sclerosis, or how to cure it. These important questions are the focus of our multiple sclerosis research.

Our multiple sclerosis research

Our researchers aim to decipher how multiple sclerosis occurs, and discover new treatments. To do this they are investigating:

• How multiple sclerosis is triggered, and the factors that influence susceptibility.
• Why the safeguards that prevent harmful immune responses fail in multiple sclerosis.
• How harmful immune responses and inflammation can be turned off as a treatment for conditions including multiple sclerosis.

Our search for infectious triggers for multiple sclerosis is a collaborative project with:

• Australian Genomics Research Facility
• Alfred Hospital, Melbourne

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. It is characterised by damage to the insulating layer surrounding nerve fibres.

People with MS show neurological symptoms including problems with:

• Moving, such as muscle spasms and weakness
• Seeing
• Thinking and speaking

The symptoms of MS vary between people. Most people with MS experience short episodes of illness in between periods of good health. In some people, MS becomes steadily worse.

MS symptoms are thought to be caused by the breakdown of myelin, a mixture of proteins and lipids that surrounds nerves. Loss of myelin prevents nerves from functioning properly. Early in MS, damaged myelin can be repaired. Ongoing damage causes scarring around the nerves, impairing their function.

It is thought that myelin damage in MS is caused by the body’s own immune system. The trigger for this attack remains unknown. There is some evidence that MS may be triggered by a bacterial or viral infection in the brain. Our researchers are investigating this hypothesis.

MS affects more than 25,000 Australians, and more than two-and-a-half million people worldwide. Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 45 years. MS is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults. It is a highly disabling condition that impacts greatly on a person’s wellbeing and productivity.

MS Australia provides information and support for those affected by multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis risk factors

While it is suspected that MS is triggered by an infection, the identity of the infection is currently unknown. Known factors that increase a person’s susceptibility to developing MS include:

• Inheriting susceptibility genes
• Living further away from the equator
• Being female
• Being aged between 20 and 40 years

How is multiple sclerosis treated?

There is no cure for MS. Early treatment can slow the damage of nerves, and reduce the frequency of relapsing disease.

Treatments for MS reduce the damage caused by immune attack on nerves. These include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids, to reduce the severity of attacks.
• Disease-modifying drugs that affect immune cell function.

Many people with MS also benefit from physiotherapy, exercise and medicines to relieve symptoms.