MS Australia Celebrates $1million Investment

Multiple Sclerosis Australia has real reason to celebrate World MS Day on 29 May after the announcement of a $1 million investment by the Australian Government to its research arm, Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia (MSRA).
The funding was announced by Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek who said very promising research is being done under the guidance of MSRA and the Government is very pleased to continue its support.
“Every eyar around 1000 Australians, mostly in their 20s to 40s, and disproportionately women, are diagnosed with MS,” Ms Plibersek said. “We have yet to find a cause and cure for this lifelong condition or a way to predict its progress, severity and specific symptoms,” she added.
MS is a chronic disease which attacks the central nervous system – the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. It affects around 23,000 Australians and 2.5 million people internationally.
MSRA acts as a hub for Australian research, enabling national research collaborations into MS by many universities and medical research institutes around Australia and New Zealand.
“Significant achievements have included a world-first MS prevention trial with Vitamin D intervention for early stage MS patients in Australia and New Zealand, and analysis of patient needs to improve service delivery for Australians with MS,” Ms Plibersek said.
“Researchers from Monash University also found a way to block MS nerve degeneration; and Adelaide University is investigating a possible new way of controlling the immune system in MS.  “The funding will also enable continued scientific research into donated brain tissue at the MSRA Brain Bank at Sydney University, which also acts as a hub for different laboratories and the wider MS research community.”
MSRA is the research arm of MS Australia, the national peak body for Australians living with MS. MS Australia promotes is promoting its work throughout May with the Kiss Goodbye to MS campaign