My Research

Detailed Research in: Multiple Sclerosis Page & Paper/Poster

Genetics and Epidemiology

MS is common among young adults and affects nearly 1 million people in the United States (2019). The specific cause of MS is unknown, but there are identified risk factors: environmental, genetic, and lifestyle.

  • Environmental risk factors: vitamin D levels, UV radiation from an individual’s surroundings, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), tobacco smoking, and regional differences.

  • Genetic risk factors: 233 loci that are MS related, including within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC).

    • HLA genes on chromosome 6 include the HLA-DTB1* 15:01-HLA-DQB1*06:02-a1 haplotype

    • Polymorphisms in IL2 and IL7R


Brain Parts Involved and Pathology

  • Mechanisms of inflammatory demyelination include proinflammatory T cell and B cell subsets

    • T cells subsets: CD4+ (TH1 and Th17) and CD8+ T cells

    • B Cell subset: CD20+

  • Lesions in the CNS characterize the presence of MS-related demyelination and inflammation

MRI Scan of Relapsing-remitting MS

Source: https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/76/suppl_3/iii11

Tools for Research and Development

    • Animal models

      • EAE=autoimmune origin of MS

      • TMEV= viral infection environmental risk factor of MS

      • Cuprizone/Lysolecithin models= toxins induce demyelination

    • MRI Imaging to diagnose MS and identify disease course




Diagnosis, Screening and Prevention

  • Diagnosis

    • medical history

    • neurological exams

    • clinical presentation criteria

    • blood tests

    • MRI scans

    • neurobehavioral abnormalities

  • Disease Course

      • Primary progressive MS,

      • Relapsing-remitting MS

      • Secondary progressive MS

Biomarkers

  • Digital Biomarkers

    • eHealth interventions such as MS Sherpa: symptom based biomarkers

  • Molecular Biomarkers

    • MS diagnosis

    • MS prognosis

    • Monitoring therapy response

    • Therapeutic side effects

Disease management

  • Corticosteroids

  • Plasma exchange

  • Disease modifying therapies (DMTs)

    • Injectable, oral, Monoclonal Antibody

  • Physical therapy

Outlook and Future Direction

  • EBV-specific t cell therapies

  • stem cell-based therapies

  • remyelinating therapies

  • immunotherapies

Research Review - White Paper

White Paper Elio Academy