MSWA Bulletin Magazine Spring

MSWA FUNDING RESEARCH
PROJECTS FOR MS AND OTHER
NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.
SUE SHAPLAND RN, BN, GENERAL MANAGER, MEMBER SERVICES
As many of you would know, MSWA has a long and proud
history of supporting MS research efforts in Australia. Over
the years we have increased our contributions steadily
and over the past three years this has amounted to over
$2 million annually.
These funds have been allocated to MSRA who then assess
the applications for funding they receive and allocate
the dollars accordingly. We have supported a number of
significant projects over the years including PREVANZ, the
Stem Cell registry, the Australian MS Longitudinal Study, the
PhoCIS study and the international Progressive MS Alliance.
MSWA continues to contribute significant funds to MS
Research Alliance to support MS research efforts into the
cause, better treatments and ultimately a cure. We have again
requested that $500,000 be allocated to the Progressive
MS Alliance.
Here in WA we allocated three Post-Doctoral Research
Fellowships funding for two years: supporting their important
work evaluating light therapy as a potential preventative
treatment option for people who have had a single episode
of MS; evaluation of outcomes for a series of patients who
received stem cell therapy; review of MS cases to try and
identify predictors of disease progression and exploring the
potential links of diet with causation of MS and potential
benefit as part of lifestyle modification after diagnosis.
We have also funded local research projects into effectiveness
of self-management fatigue programs, cognitive rehabilitation
therapy and balance rehabilitation interventions including the
use of non-invasive brain stimulation as an additional therapy.
This financial year we are proud to announce additional
funding has been allocated for both MS research here in WA
as well as nationally and internationally, and for research
benefitting people living with other neurological conditions.
Two new exciting positions will be funded, annually for four
years, through the Perron Institute for Neurological and
Translational Science in Nedlands (previously WANRI). One
position will become the MSWA Professor for MS Research
and the other the MSWA Professor for Neuroplasticity. These
positions will drive research projects that we anticipate will
add significant value in these fields. Neuroplasticity research
seeks to develop therapies and interventions that encourage
new pathways to overcome areas of damage and improve
function. This research will be applicable across a range
of neurological conditions including stroke, brain injury and
multiple sclerosis.
In addition to this funding we are proud to announce
additional funding has been allocated to The Perron Institute
for their stroke research arm. This will provide support for
renowned local researcher Professor Bruce Meloni who has
been studying neuroprotection for many years. He will now be
progressing his research into identifying potential therapies
to maximise protection and reduce damage in stroke, head
injury and other related conditions.
MSWA is proud to announce these exciting developments
and we look forward to continuing our great partnership
with the Perron Institute and providing our Members and the
community progress updates as we receive them.
I would like to acknowledge the great vision and
leadership shown by our CEO Marcus Stafford, and
our Board which has allowed us to identify beneficial
research projects and fund them.
Want to access research articles?
Here are the places you can access up to date research
articles relating to multiple sclerosis:
• Vitality – Our monthly research focussed e-newsletter
• Our website – https://mswa.org.au/news/latest-news
• Right here as part of your Member magazine Bulletin.
It includes great research articles and information every quarter.
Just email communications@mswa.org.au if you would like any further information.
10 | MSWA BULLETIN SPRING 2017