Our Research
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Enhancing Myelin repair in multiple sclerosis
In MS, myelin, the protective coating around the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord is damaged by the immune system. This protective coating not only protects nerves but also provides nourishment and support, and without it nerve cells will eventually die. Current MS therapies suppress the immune system but do not promote the…
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Enhancing brain activity to re-wrap nerve fibres
Dr Kaylene Young, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, Tasmania, was awarded an MS Research Australia Project Grant titled, ‘Enhancing brain activity to re-wrap nerve fibres’ over 2017-2019 funded by the Trish Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation. Dr Young and her team have previously established that a non-invasive technique, known as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, is able…
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Do genetic changes in the brain have a role to play in progressive MS?
MS is a very varied disease, and the course an individual person’s disease will take cannot currently be predicted. It is unclear what factors are responsible for the transition to progressive disease. While large genetic studies have identified over 200 genes involved in the risk of developing relapsing remitting MS, similar studies in progressive MS…
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Development of a new drug to overcome progressive MS
In 2018 the Trish Foundation partnered with MS Research Australia to fully fund additional research of Dr Steven Petratos, Monash University. Dr Petratos was awarded a one year Project Grant to test a drug that could stop and potentially reverse progressive MS. The damage to the myelin layer in MS not only hinders the nerve…
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Promoting myelin repair by targeting Wnt signalling
In 2016, Dr David Gonsalvez was awarded a Betty Cuthbert Fellowship co-funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council and MS Research Australia, with the MS Research Australia contribution provided with full funding support from the Trish MS Research Foundation. The Trish Foundation was honoured to be co-funding this important Research Project with the…