A new multiple sclerosis (MS) research project designed to help the brain repair itself through its own healing processes has received funding in MS Australia’s latest research grant round.
The project is just one of the 35 new research initiatives funded by MS Australia. The grants focus on advancing better treatments, prevention, and cures for MS.
The research, led by Dr Jessica Fletcher from the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania, focuses on regenerating myelin, the protective coating around nerve fibres that allows efficient communication between the brain and body.
In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, disrupting communication and leading to debilitating symptoms such as fatigue, mobility issues, and cognitive challenges.
“We’re working to activate the brain’s natural repair mechanisms by encouraging the growth of new myelin, giving it the chance to heal itself,” Dr Fletcher said.
The team’s research focuses on a molecule called Olig2, which acts as a ‘switch’ to control myelin production. By targeting Olig2, the team aims to stimulate repair processes and reverse the damage caused by MS.
“Our ultimate goal is to develop targeted therapies that focus specifically on the cells responsible for myelin repair without affecting other parts of the body. This approach could lead to safer and more effective treatments for people with MS,” Fletcher said.
The $5.7 million funding round is MS Australia’s largest ever in terms of the number of projects and made possible thanks to the investment and support of MSWA.
MSWA contributed a further $2.4 million dollars into this grant round which allowed for the funding of an additional 10 of the 35 funded projects, guaranteeing important MS research not just in Western Australia, but throughout the country.
The research projects that received funding in this round include novel studies to multi-year investigations of MS through fields such as neurobiology, genetics, epidemiology, immunology, and social and applied research.
Over the past 20 years, MS Australia has invested $60 million into MS research.
This commitment has delivered significant outcomes for Australians living with MS, including faster diagnosis, slower disease progression, and improved life expectancy on par with the general population.
Photo: Dr Jessica Fletcher