NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY

Research and scientific studies (see schedule o)research and scientific studies - in fiscal 2024, the society invested $31.2 million to support 271 new and ongoing research projects around the world aimed at stopping ms in its tracks, restoring function, and ending the disease forever. The society engaged 104 expert scientific and peer reviewers to evaluate 369 proposals for research grants, fellowships and early career awards, commercial research and development agreements, and targeted research grants. We also engaged 15 lay community reviewers to help the society identify the most promising and appropriate research investments.research priority areas to drive breakthroughs to a cure include: accelerating promising research to empower people affected by ms to live their best lives and advance the pathways to ms cures roadmap, including: stopping disease activity and progression through precision medicine and early detection; restoring what's been lost by reversing symptoms and disability through regeneration and functional recovery enhanced by rehabilitation and wellness; and ending the disease through prevention by limiting exposure to risk factors across the population and for those most at-risk.

Professional education and training - the society wants scientists and healthcare professionals to be aware of and trained in ms so that the very best expertise worldwide is engaged in finding treatments and solutions for everyone with ms. This includes activities and programs designed to improve the knowledge, skills, and critical judgement of scientists, physicians and other healthcare professionals engaged (directly or indirectly) in providing services to people living with ms by keeping them abreast of new diagnostic techniques and therapies. In fiscal 2024, 86 clinicians, who provide care for approximately 12,500 people with ms, participated in echo ms, which is a continuing medical education program that establishes a peer-to-peer knowledge sharing network to improve overall health outcomes for individuals with ms. 91% of participants reported that they will be making a change to their clinical practice as a result of the program. As of 2024, the society has funded the training of 115 physicians to become ms specialists who are now providing care for nearly 18,000 people living with ms.