Establishment Of Five New Multiple Sclerosis Research Centres In Canada

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Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Article Date: 18 May 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada has made public the creation of five research and training centers with the participation of over one hundred established scientists and two hundred and fifty trainees. Funded entirely by the MS Society of Canada, which has already raised 32 million dollars from a goal of 60 million, the objectives of these new centers is to considerably increase the speed on MS research investigations so that an end to MS may be found as quickly as possible. These centres will serve as key establishments in achieving these goals.

In September 2008, less than one year after the MS Society commenced its major fundraising project to improve the research setting in Canada, these five entities were created and named endMS Regional Research and Training Centres (RRTC). These centres are now part of the endMS Research and Training Network which are held together in collaboration of MS researchers and trainees across Canada.

"The goal of these centres is to boost our capacity to conduct MS research through training of the next generation of MS researchers," declares Yves Savoie, president and chief executive officer of the MS Society of Canada.

These centres strategically located in all Geographic regions of Canada from the Western Pacific to the Atlantic, all dispose of numerous educational institutions and training hospitals. For the next three years each will receive $100,000.00 dollars per year to finance mutual training and investigative activities.

With over one hundred researchers, two hundred and fifty trainees, and fifty four institutions stretching from Newfoundland's MS Clinic at Memorial University to the three campuses of the University of British Columbia, the total number of individuals connected through one network is unique in Canadian MS history.

"The five RRTCs cross an impressive latitude of institutions and clinics. Their establishment represents a new genesis of collaborative and highly focused activity designed to end multiple sclerosis," explains Savoie.

Researchers and trainees coupled with each RRTC will work in partnership through conferences, regional workshops, online tools and inter-lab connections through which trainees will leave their host institution for a set period of time to train at another within the Network.

"These centres will provide a structure that will allow us to identify new and established members of the research community with whom we can develop new approaches to solve complex problems," explains Dr. Jack Antel, scientific director of the endMS Research and Training Network and a neurologist at the Montreal Neurological Institute. "We hope to attract the best trainees with a strong educational environment and an impressive capacity to interact with peers and mentors from many disciplines."

Visit http://www.endMS.ca for more details or to donate to the effort.

About multiple sclerosis and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

Multiple sclerosis is the most frequent neurological disease of young adults in Canada detected between the ages of 15 and 40. It is a chronic disabling diseaseof the brain and spinal cord, and the volatile effects last for the rest of their lives.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, founded in 1948, is the only national volunteer health agency that finances, provides services for patients and family members, and carries out public learning programs through its seven division offices and 120 chapters. Through public awareness and social action programs, MS Society volunteers and staff are also enthusiastically implicated in educating health care professionals about MS and its treatment.

MSCanada

Written by Stephanie Brunner ( B.A.)
Copyright: Medical News Today
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