Despite the challenges in targeting the cause of MS, the good news is that science continues to unravel the mysteries of the disease and more is known today about MS than ever before. People with MS now have a near-normal life expectancy.

The years between 1990 and 1999 were termed “The Decade of the Brain,” an initiative designated by Congress to enhance public awareness of the brain through research and study. MS benefited enormously through these efforts, giving rise to a new sense of hope and optimism. Advances were made on many fronts, including diagnosis, symptom management, and new drug therapies.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Sophisticated new techniques applied to MRI have allowed earlier detection of MS scarring or plaques, resulting in a quicker diagnosis. MRI studies also confirmed that the disease remains active even when patients feel no symptoms, underscoring the need for earlier treatment and close monitoring of the disease.

Gene Research

In 2007, a large-scale genomic study uncovered new genetic variations associated with MS, findings that suggest a possible link between MS and other autoimmune diseases. The study, led by an international consortium of clinical scientists and genomics experts, was the first comprehensive study investigating the genetic basis of MS.

Two genetic regions were identified — the IL-2 receptor and the IL-7 receptor — and both are expected to become major focal points of research. Current genomic studies are helping to pinpoint genes that may elevate the risk of developing MS, pointing the way to new areas of research and new therapeutic targets to both treat and eventually prevent MS.

Information Highway

Computer technology has allowed MS researchers from all over the world to collect and share information, helping to isolate and identify characteristic patterns of MS. Computers have also served to empower people with MS. Research and support are just one click away, giving people access to treatment information, research studies, and the opportunity to find support in the global community.

New Drugs and Therapies

New drugs and therapies have been introduced to help treat the underlying disease process as well as symptoms of the disease. Those that treat the disease process are known as disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) while those that alleviate symptoms are known as symptomatic therapies. There are currently six FDA-approved disease-modifying medications for MS.

Although no one can predict when, or if, there will be a cure for MS, there is good reason to be hopeful about the future. The ongoing advances in research are occurring at a faster rate than ever before and continue to add to our understanding of how MS works and progresses. Researchers are already looking ahead to the next generation of treatments and, hopefully, a cure.