Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Research

Research at the University of Nottingham & the Queen’s Medical Centre


Working for a better understanding of MS and its treatment. Funded by the MS Society, the European Union, the pharmaceutical industry, and other national & international funding agencies.

With great help from the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) service, since the pioneering work of Nobel Prize-winning Sir Peter Mansfield in the 1970s the University has been at the forefront of MRI research. Examples of recent MS research projects are:-

Professor Cris Constantinescu Clinical Trials Unit of MS; recently published the findings of WIRMS (worms for immune regulation in MS) trial. Research topics: Immunopathogenesis, Investigating how the stem cells of people with secondary progressive MS compare with stem cells from people with primary progressive MS, Imaging Biomarkers in MS. Research collaborations: Human herpesvirus associations with MS.

Professor Roshan das Nair – Research studies: 1) NEuRoMS. 2) “PrEliMS, Providing Emotional Support around the point of MS Diagnosis”. 3) Understanding how Covid-19 has affected the employment of people with MS.

Associate Professor Dr Robert Dineen – Tracking how well treatment for cognitive symptoms work, by measuring changes in cognition (attention, memory & concentration) with imaging markers.

Associate Professor Dr Nikos Evangelou – Co-PI in the “DELIVER-MS trial” for MS treatment; clinical trial for comparison of two therapeutic approaches in patients with recent relapsing MS. Investigating the use of MRI scanning (3T & 7T) for the early & quick diagnosis of MS by identifying damage to the myelin which protects nerve cells. In addition, we study the processes of remyelination, whereby myelin is regenerated in the brain, in vivo using mainly high-resolution MTR imaging.

Associate Professor Dr Bruno Gran – Research to establish how viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections can influence disease activity in MS through the activation of innate immune receptors on white blood cells.


The Nottingham Multiple Sclerosis Research Group (MSRG)

The MSRG is an interdisciplinary collaboration between the University of Nottingham, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, and the Institute of Mental Health.

Our research focuses on (i) diagnostics, (ii) investigating disease-modifying therapies, and (iii) symptom management. Straddling these three foci are our Neuroimaging and our Clinical implementation themes. Our Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) activities are core to all our research.

In 2019/20, we have a portfolio of 32 studies. Our research grant income of over £27 million, is from major funders including the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the UK MS Society, MRC and PCORI from the USA. We have support from NSG@QMC and also, undertake commercial trials. Since 2012, our research has led to over 100 publications in leading scientific publications.

Current and upcoming studies (go to MS-Studies Nottingham):

  1. DECISIve: DiagnosE using the Central veIn SIgn. A prospective diagnostic superiority study comparing T2* MRI and lumbar puncture in patients presenting with possible Multiple Sclerosis
  2. AIMS: AI gets real: using routine clinical data and Artificial Intelligence to predict worsening of MS despite treatment
  3. DELIVER-MS: Determining the Effectiveness of Early Intensive versus Escalation Approaches for the Treatment of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.
  4. The SpINDLE study: Spinal cord, MS, & diabetes.
  5. NEuRoMS: Neuropsychological Evaluation and Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis.
  6. Development of a self-report measure of cognitive abilities for people with MS. 
  7. Immune response to Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus in MS.
  8. Medication adherence in people with cognitive problems.
  9. Preventing job loss in people with MS.

Further information links:

https://institutemh.org.uk/research/nottingham-ms-research-group/about-us

http://www.mssociety.org.uk

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/

https://www.ukmsregister.org/

Clinical Neurology Research at UoN

Neuropsychological Evaluation and Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis by UoN-MS group