Sheffield Hallam University Seeks Early Diagnosis For MS

Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Article Date: 11 Dec 2008 - 0:00 PST

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Sheffield Hallam University has begun a new three-year study which it hopes will lead to a test for early diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Early diagnosis means treatment can be started sooner, helping people with MS to remain active for longer.

Lead by Professor Nicola Woodroofe, head of The Biomedical Research Centre (BMRC) at the University, the project will seek to determine whether specific modifications to amino acids in specific brain proteins may ultimately be responsible for the body's own immune system attacking proteins found exclusively in the central nervous system. The grant of £105,000 will fund a full time PhD student over three years and associated research costs.

"This study will further research the causes and crucial early stages of multiple sclerosis," said Professor Woodroofe. "Previous studies carried out have recently provided evidence changed proteins may be found in people with MS - a vital clue to understanding causes of the disease."

Using post mortem tissue samples from the UK MS Society Tissue Bank, MS patients and healthy controls, the BMRC will measure: the levels of PAD enzymes (which produce the amino acid changes), the changed proteins themselves and the antibodies developed by patients. Analysing the results obtained and their relationship to symptoms, they hope to find an antibody specific to people with MS.

The grant is one of a number of major awards to be given to Sheffield Hallam by the MS Society in recent weeks. Ed Holloway from the MS Society, said: "We hope this project will contribute not only to our understanding of MS, but to our ability to diagnose and combat the disease. MS is a challenging affliction and the research undertaken by Sheffield Hallam is a key step in our ongoing efforts to help sufferers.

"We have chosen the University thanks to its superb research track record and the excellent working relationship which we have developed with them."

Sheffield Hallam University