Introduction to the talks by Prof Gavin Giovanonni

PART 1 Introduction and Synopsis

PART 2 – Introduction (ctd) Can we Cure or Prevent MS?

An introduction to the Immunology of MS – Ute Meier

PART 1 History of Autoimmunity

PART 2 Introduction to the immune system

PART 3 A word about “mimicry” and Epstein-Barr Viruses

PART 4 Natural Killer (NK) cells and Future Research

Understanding the Pathology of MS – Sandra Amor

PART 1 Introduction to cell types in the brain: goodies and baddies.

PART 2 How do we protect nerve cells – looking at lesions – what do we see?

PART 3 – How our research fits into the equation

PART4 The Role of Macrophage Activation on Lesion Formation

MRI and MS – Klaus Schmierer

PART 1 What is MS – epidemiology and what is MRI ?

PART 2 Why is MRI useful in people with MS?

PART 3 What are the limitations of MRI and how does it help us understand and monitor MS?

PART 4 How can we overcome these limitations and what comes next?

MS and CCSVI – coming soon, awaiting formal publication of new results.

PART 1 What is the theory behind CCSVI, and how it differs from other theories of MS etiology.

PART 2 A summary of the published findings.

PART 3 Findings of a second group’s attempt to replicate the research, and what is the impact of a highly publicized trial on public perception of the evidence?

A Model of MS – David Baker

PART 1             Why safe drug development requires the use of animal models

PART 2            What MS drugs would we be using if no animal models were used?

PART 3 How do we create a good model of MS?

PART 4 The time scale of new drug development and recent developments in MS drugs

Neutralising Antibodies to IFN – Rachel Farrell

PART 1.  What is interferon and how does it work in MS?

PART 2. What are neutralizing antibodies, who gets them?

PART 3. How our research is being used to help patients in the clinic.

Nataluzimab and PML – Ben Turner

Part 1. PML incidence with Natalizumab teatment, Tysabri, and what causes it (JC Virus)

PART 2.  Looking for JC Virus DNA  – is incidence related to duration or exposure of patients to Tysabri?

PART 3 The pathophysiology of JC Virus, PML and Natiluzimab (Tysabri)

PART 4 The Good News – The effects of Tysabri are reversible in MS patients.

Emerging Oral Therapies for MS – Giles Elrington

PART 1 –  Understanding data and clinical trials

PART 2 –BG12, Laquinomod, Teriflunomide

PART 3 –  Cladribine

PART 4 – Cladribine (ctd)

PART 5 – Fingolimod

PART 6 – Is It Safe?

Stem cell therapies in MS – Yuti Chernajovsky

PART 1 What are stem cells

PART 2 – Where do we get stem cells from?

PART 3 What can stem cells do for ms therapy?

PART 4 So what are the problems with stem cells ?

PART 5 inflammation is a necessary process

PART 6 Our Research –inflammation resistant stem cells and site specific biological drug delivery systems

Neuroprotection in MS Sarah Al –izki

PART 1 Neuroprotection

PART 2 The role of sodium channel blocking drugs

Sam Jackson – Remyelination in MS.

PART 1 Introduction

PART 2 Myelination

PART 3 Remyelination

PART 4 Our research – making “mini brains”

Wellness and Rehabilitation in MS – Melinda Martin

PART 1 The Concept of Wellness in MS

PART 2 The Effect of Fatigue in MS

Monitoring MS – Ruth Dobson

PART 1. How We Monitor MS

PART 2  Is There a Need for Change?

Preventing MS – Sreeram Ramagopalan

PART 1. Preventing MS

PART 2. Why sunlight and Vitamin D could be key factors