Wednesday, 17th February 2016

Dr Anna Williams, MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh; and Dr Dave Lyons, Centre for Neuroregeneration at the University of Edinburgh discuss the neurological disorder Multiple Sclerosis, which has a particularly high prevalence in Scotland.

The symptoms of MS result from damage to a specialised structure of the brain called myelin, which wraps up the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, similarly to the insulation on electrical wires. This myelin damage is thought to be due to the immune system destroying the myelin, leading to damage to the underlying nerves and causing problems with vision, balance, sensation and movement. 

Over the past decade, wonderful progress has been made in suppressing the immune system attacks that occur in MS, and a host of life-changing treatments are now available to people with MS. The next goal is to help repair the damage that occurs to myelin and to prevent degeneration of nerves.

Listen to more about MS, the challenges that have been overcome, the challenges that remain, and the exciting research that is taking place that offers hope for treatment of this disease.