Researchers to look at MS data

Researchers to look at MS data - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Posted Thu Aug 9, 2007 8:00am AEST

• Map: Hobart 7000

Almost 200 Tasmanians are participating in a Multiple Sclerosis study that reserachers hope will shed more light on the disease.

The Ausimmune Study is being coordinated by Dr Robyn Lucas from the Australian National University.

Dr Lucas has been in Hobart with researchers from the Menzies Research Institute who are about to begin analysing data which will look at environmental and genetic factors influencing the immune system.

She says 80 of those being studied have experienced an early episode which may develop into MS.

"This is really a very unique group of people that we are seeing from the very first inklings that there might be any risk of developoing MS so there are very very few studies in the world that have looked at that group of people," Dr Lucas said.

The study is also being conducted in Geelong, Newcastle and Brisbane.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/09/2000280.htm