Identification of biomarkers of Multiple Sclerosis and its' subtypes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Identification of biomarkers of Multiple Sclerosis and its' subtypes
IRAS ID
215035
Contact name
Patrick McHugh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Huddersfield
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 24 days
Research summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis can often be a drawn out and an unpleasant experience for the patient. Current diagnostic methods include a combination of clinical history and neurological assessments, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), spinal tap of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and measuring electrochemical brain activity to assess changes to brain structure (evoked potentials). However, no specific single test is currently able to diagnose MS alone. In addition, confirmatory diagnosis requires changes to brain tissue to be observed over time, where brain damage should be observed to occur at investigations at least a month apart. In the instance of the initial presentation of symptoms, patients may be merely defined as having clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), and until they go on to experience a second episode of neurological symptoms they will not know for sure whether they will go on to develop MS. The chances of developing MS following CIS vary widely, depending on the nature of the initial episode. Delayed or misdiagnosis can be detrimental, not only socio-economically, but also to the individual patient as the disease pathway may be well advanced before symptoms set in, and waiting for diagnosis allows the disease to progress untreated.
Our research aims to identify molecules that can be measured in the blood and provide a simple and cost-effective tool for MS diagnosis. Blood samples can be collected easily and analysed quickly, and the development of a diagnostic test based on blood samples for MS could provide a much-needed simplified diagnostic route for MS. In addition, identification of biomarkers or molecules that are altered during the course of MS may offer a novel solution to develop therapies. Therefore the MS-related molecules identified in our study could potentially function as novel targets for drug development.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/YH/0287
Date of REC Opinion
21 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion