Multiple Sclerosis - Marker of Disease Activity

Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is a serious medical condition that affects approximately 350,000 people in the United States and an estimated 2.5 million individuals worldwide. MS is a debilitating disease in which a patient’s immune system degrades the protective sheath that covers the nerves. This disease interferes with the communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Ultimately, the disease may result in deterioration of the nerves themselves, a process that is irreversible. The most common form of MS is characterized by an irregular pattern of remissions and exacerbations of disease symptoms. By allowing doctors to monitor the underlying disease activity, biomarkers have the potential to markedly change and advance care for individuals with MS. We have access to certain samples from patients with MS and are planning to conduct one or more discovery studies in 2010.