The evolution of MS care

Now

While MS treatment has come a long way, there’s still more to address. Relapses and MRI activity have been the focus of clinical trials in the past. Today, the focus in MS is shifting to ways of managing and detecting disability progression, despite no relapses or MRI activity.

As MS changes over time, you may find it impacting everyday tasks. When you start to notice changes in your MS, you can start to do something about it. Here are a few things you could try to help deal with cognitive and physical challenges:

• Rehab led by a speech, occupational, and/or physical therapist
• Therapy, meditation, mindfulness, and/or other mental health practices
• A healthy diet and regular exercise
• Support groups that connect you to others with MS

Lifestyle changes and types of rehabilitation are important ways of managing progressing MS, in addition to treatment. There are now many different treatment options available to choose from.

MS research of tomorrow

Some people living with MS notice that their symptoms continue to change over time, even when they aren’t having relapses or new MRI activity. Up to 65% of people living with MS report experiencing progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA). This means that, even if they are no longer experiencing relapses or MRI activity, patients continue to experience disability over time.

Researchers are working to learn more about what drives these changes. Research has identified that microglia and B cells within the central nervous system (CNS) may be driving disability progression in people living with MS, and targeting these cells may help slow disability. One way to do this is through targeting an enzyme that activates these cells, known as Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK). By studying these processes, scientists hope to expand understanding of MS and explore potential approaches that may address both physical and cognitive aspects of the disease.

What's next?

Thanks to advances in research, scientists are learning more about the processes behind MS symptoms. Just as scientists are evolving how they think about MS, you can always evolve your goals and lifestyle to meet your changing needs, too. If you're noticing changes in the way you do things because of your MS, consider talking to your healthcare provider about ways of managing them.