Multiple Sclerosis is the most common cause of neurological disability in young adults. 10,400 Scots have MS. The incidence of MS in Scotland is higher than anywhere in the world and women with MS outnumber men by approximately 2:1. But no-one knows why. Yet.
At a press conference today (Wednesday, 4 December) the University of Aberdeen will announce the launch of a new MS Society Senior Fellowship. In a new approach to research, the MS Society have given a grant to the University of Aberdeen to create a special MS Research Group, met by a substantial donation from JK Rowling, the Patron of MS Society Scotland. At the heart of the new MS Research Group will be the new Professor of MS research, Chris Linington. He will be supported by two research fellows. The University is providing funding for one of the research fellows, laboratory space and equipment.
JK Rowling said: "'My mother died of MS - she was Scottish, and was diagnosed at 35. I became patron of the MS Society Scotland in early 2001, after I discovered the appallingly poor quality of care available to people with MS in Scotland, the MS capital of the world. Since then I've been heartened by the huge strides the MS Society Scotland are making but there is so much more still to do, especially in the field of research. I'm proud to be supporting this vital research fellowship, through which some of the best experts in the field are joining forces to strike back at MS."
Mark Hazelwood, Director Multiple Sclerosis Society, Scotland said: "With so many remaining mysteries surrounding MS it is vital that there continues to be investment in high quality scientific research. People with MS are in desperate need of better treatments. It is particularly appropriate that this exciting new research venture should be happening in Scotland, which has the world's highest prevalence of MS. The MS Society is just beginning its 50th Anniversary year. I can think of no better start to these celebrations than launching this collaboration with Aberdeen University and bringing a researcher of such high calibre to work in Scotland".
The research project at the University of Aberdeen will strike back at a number of the unsolved mysteries surrounding MS and will be led by the newly appointed Senior Fellow, internationally renowned MS researcher, Professor Chris Linington. Professor Linington and his colleagues will be working to devise better ways to diagnose MS and to predict its activity, and to develop better treatments. Professor Linington's research will use models of MS and samples from patients to study the molecules and cells responsible for injury and repair in the brain and spine in MS. The group will use the knowledge gained from these studies to work with Aberdeen's outstanding medical imaging research facility to develop novel ways to visualise the brain injury in patients with MS. Bringing laboratory based research directly to patients in this way should eventually identify new ways of intervening with drug treatments.
Professor Linington said: "I am delighted by the opportunity to come to the University of Aberdeen to initiate this innovative programme of research. One of the major benefits of bringing the MS Research Group to Aberdeen is that we will be able to build on the University's Medical School imaging analysis to translate laboratory studies into clinical situations. This will allow the team of researchers to interface with both the needs of the patient and the clinician."
Professor Stephen Logan, Provost and Dean, Faculty of Medicine & Medical Sciences said: "Professor Linington and his team will further strengthen Aberdeen's Immunity and Inflammation Research Group, which received the highest 5* rating in the recent UK Universities Research Assessment Exercise."