NIHRDataInsights/HRCSData huggingface dataset:
Title: Can a resistance exercise routine help reduce fatigue?
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about? Fatigue is one of the most common and difficult symptoms of MS to manage. We need better treatments and management strategies that can help people with MS live life to the full. The levels of fatigue people experience can vary considerably. This project will compare people with MS who have high levels of fatigue with those who do not, using a variety of neurophysiological measures (tests of how the nervous system functions). It is hoped that this will deepen our understanding of fatigue. The study will also involve a small pilot randomised controlled trial of 60 people to test the feasibility of a resistance exercise programme as a potential treatment for fatigue in people with MS._x000D_ _x000D_ How will it help people with MS?_x000D_ _x000D_ This study will improve our understanding of fatigue in MS and will also test one promising approach to managing fatigue. It is hoped that this will lead to improved treatments for fatigue in the future.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS;6.7 PHYSICAL
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL
Title: Finding new ways to measure cognitive changes in people with MS
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about? Many people with MS experience problems with cognitive processes, such as memory, decision making and concentration. Unfortunately there are few effective treatments for these symptoms, and no reliable way to measure someoneâ€™s response to treatments in a clinical trial. This project will involve using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging(fMRI), an imaging technique which measures blood flow within the brain to try to understand brain activity. The researchers will analyse fMRI data using a technique called Graph Theory, to try to measure and describe the organisation of networks in the brain. It is hoped that this technique will reveal specific differences in the brains of people with MS with cognitive difficulties which could be used to measure the effectiveness of new treatments. The project will also involve testing these measures in a small trial of an intervention designed to improve cognition in people with MS. The intervention to be used has not yet been defined (it could be a drug or a psychological approach) as it will depend upon the results of an ongoing systematic review._x000D_ _x000D_ How will it help people with MS?_x000D_ _x000D_ This project will lead to better ways of measuring the changes in cognition that occur in people with MS, aiding the development and testing of future treatments for this difficult symptom.


Research activity codes: 4.2 EVALUATION OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL
Title: Developing a falls management intervention for people with MS
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about? Due to difficulties with balance and mobility, people with MS can be at greater risk of falling. Research in other groups who are at risk of falling (for example older people) has shown that interventions are more effective when they are tailored specifically to the needs of people who will be using them. This project will involve key stakeholders (including people with MS and health professionals) and a review of the best available scientific evidence to design a falls management intervention for people with MS. It is hoped that by going through this extensive process, the intervention is most likely to both effective and acceptable to people with MS._x000D_ _x000D_ How will it help people with MS?_x000D_ _x000D_ By developing a falls management programme that takes into account the views of people affected by MS and health professionals, it is hoped that this project will lead to improved falls management for people with MS.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL
Title: Identifying new remyelination targets
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about? The past few years have seen advances in our understanding of why myelin repair fails in people with MS. Researchers are now aiming to identify molecules that stimulate myelin repair in people with MS â€“ these molecules could then be tested in laboratory models of MS and then in clinical trials. We now need improvements in technology to allow researchers to quickly and reliably screen a large number of molecules in the laboratory to see if they have the potential to repair myelin. This one year project will aim to develop a technique called a â€˜high throughput screenâ€™ to identify molecules that may subsequently be developed to provide treatments that improve remyelination in people with MS. Researchers at the University of Glasgow will work with the Scottish Bioscreening Facility to set up cell cultures (petri dishes of cells) of myelinating cells in a laboratory using robotic work stations. This will allow hundreds of myelinating cell cultures to be processed in a short time. The researchers will then be able to screen thousands of different molecules to see which ones are most likely to repair myelin in people with MS._x000D_ _x000D_ How will it help people with MS?_x000D_ _x000D_ There are currently no treatments that can repair the damage to myelin in people with MS. This early stage study will set up a new technique to allow researchers to quickly identify new molecules that could be targeted to repair myelin in people with MS. If successful, researchers will be able to take the most promising molecules into early stage testing and, eventually, clinical trials in people with MS.


Research activity codes: 5.1 PHARMACEUTICALS
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL
Title: Could pentraxin 3 have anti-inflammatory effects in MS?
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about? Researchers know that a molecule called pentraxin 3 (PTX3) plays an important role in the immune system (specifically in inflammatory conditions) but little is know about its role, if any, in MS. This one year study will determine whether PTX3 could be useful in controlling inflammation in MS. Researchers will investigate whether PTX3 is present in the brain and spinal fluid of people with MS and will look at the role that PTX3 plays in laboratory models of MS._x000D_ _x000D_ How will it help people with MS?_x000D_ _x000D_ PTX3 has been shown to stop inflammation in other conditions. This pilot project aims to understand the role that PTX3 plays in MS. If researchers can demonstrate a role for PTX3 in MS they may go on to do future studies to see if PTX3 could be used as a treatment for MS.


Research activity codes: 5.1 PHARMACEUTICALS;2.1 BIOLOGICAL AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL
Title: What role could the complement system play in predicting the course of MS?
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about? One area of the brain that is often damaged in MS is the grey matter. Itâ€™s difficult to detect lesions in the grey matter through MRI. Some researchers believe that grey matter lesions are associated with mobility problems or may be related to problems with speech, memory or mood. There is some evidence that a group of molecules called complement proteins (proteins in the brain that regulate the immune system) are associated with symptoms of MS and levels of complement proteins can go up or down depending on the stage of MS. This one year research project will look at the role of complement proteins in determining the damage to myelin and nerve cells in grey matter of people who had MS. Researchers will look at the brains of people who died with MS and compare the presence of complement proteins with other measures of grey matter injury. Researchers will use this data to work out which cells of the grey matter are expressing which complement proteins. They will compare levels and types of complement proteins in the brains of people who had a more aggressive course of MS with people who had a less aggressive course to see if there is a relationship between complement proteins and course of MS. How will it help people with MS? Understanding the relationship between complement proteins and the presence of grey matter lesions in people with MS is important. Showing that complement proteins are linked with grey matter lesions will give researchers a better idea of whether measuring these proteins can identify people who are likely to experience a more severe course of MS.


Research activity codes: 2.1 BIOLOGICAL AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL
Title: Investigating cognitive changes in MS using MEG
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about? Many people with MS experience problems with cognitive processes, such as memory, decision making and concentration. Unfortunately there are few effective treatments for these symptoms, and no reliable way to measure someoneâ€™s responses to treatments in a clinical trial. This project will use a technique called Magnetoencephalography (MEG), which uses detectors on the scalp to measure electrical activity within the brain. MEG is a rapidly improving technique, mainly due to advances in computing power, and allows us to observe brain activity at very high resolutions and over very short timescales. The researchers will use MEG to compare people who have MS with those who do not, to try to understand the cognitive changes that occur in people with MS. They will then use a powerful MRI scanner to understand how these changes in brain activity detected by MEG are linked with changes in brain structure seen using an MRI scanner._x000D_ _x000D_ How will it help people with MS?_x000D_ _x000D_ This project will lead to better ways of measuring the changes in cognition that occur in people with MS, aiding the development and testing of future treatments for this symptom.


Research activity codes: 2.1 BIOLOGICAL AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS;4.2 EVALUATION OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL
Title: Understanding more about long term disability in MS
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about? This project aims to: Understand the causes of long-term disability and secondary progressive MS Develop new ways to quickly detect treatments that can prevent long-term disability and secondary progressive MS Predict the future course of MS early on to identify individuals who would stand to benefit from treatment the most The researchers will follow up x people who had a first MS-like attack (clinically isolated syndrome) 14 years ago. They will use a 3T MRI scanner to look at different measures in the brain as well as an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanner to look at the thickness of nerve fibre layers in the eye. They will look at how these scans relate to type of MS and disability progression as well as how peopleâ€™s MS has progressed over the 14 years following a first MS-like attack. How will it help people with MS? We urgently need treatments that can slow or stop progression and clinical trials will be required to develop those treatments. Coming up with ways of predicting who is likely to progress in the future will help make clinical trials for progressive MS quicker and cheaper. Knowing more about how MS progresses will also help researchers to identify potential treatments for progression to be tested in clinical trials. All of this information will hopefully speed up the development of treatments that can slow or stop disability progression.


Research activity codes: 2.4 SURVEILLANCE AND DISTRIBUTION;4.2 EVALUATION OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL
Title: Are systemic infections linked to progression in MS?
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about? The aim of this project is to determine whether systemic infections (such as colds, sinusitis, chest infections) can affect the accumulation of disability in people with MS. There is some evidence from the laboratory that infections can cause degeneration of nerve cells in laboratory models of MS. There is also some anecdotal evidence that infections are associated with a more rapid progression in people with MS. Researchers will monitor 50 people with MS for 2.5 years. They will record the number of infections that people have and their response to each infection by collecting and analysing urine samples. Researchers will also study the progression of MS using MRI scans at the start and end of the study as well as measuring clinical activity of MS through a series of clinical exams and questions. How will it help people with MS? There is currently very little understanding of the underlying factors involved in disability accumulation in people with MS. This study will aim to determine whether infections can cause disability in MS. If researchers can identify these underlying factors they may be able to develop strategies that can slow, or even prevent, disability accumulation and progression in people with MS.


Research activity codes: 2.2 FACTORS RELATING TO PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL
Title: Discovering new genes involved in myelin repair
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about? MS is characterised by the immune system attacking myelin in the brain and spinal cord. Researchers know that early on in the condition the brain can repair myelin but, over time, the cells of the brain tend to lose this ability. This can result in long term disability in people with MS. There are currently no treatments available that can help repair damage to myelin and identifying these treatments is a research priority. Researchers will use a specialised genetic technique called a â€œforward genetic screenâ€ to identify genes that promote the formation of myelin and myelin repair. They will look for new genes that are important for myelin repair and determine whether this new information could be used to develop a myelin repair therapy in people with MS._x000D_ _x000D_ How will it help people with MS?_x000D_ _x000D_ There are currently no treatments that can repair the damage to myelin caused by MS. Understanding more about how myelin is formed will hopefully speed up the development of treatments that help to repair myelin in people with MS. This is a research priority for the MS Society.


Research activity codes: 2.1 BIOLOGICAL AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL
Title: A new method for predicting potential for â€˜functional recoveryâ€™ in MS
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about? Research has shown that the brain can compensate and adapt to damage and can develop new connections that help people recover physical functions of the body such as arm or leg movement. This type of recovery is known as â€˜functional recoveryâ€™. The ability of the brain to compensate for and adapt to damaged areas of the brain is called plasticity and has been seen in people with MS. The aim of rehabilitation is to promote and harness this plasticity, which can result in functional recovery. This can limit disability and improve quality of life for people with MS. Researchers will recruit 150 people with MS to this three year study. They will carry out a series of tests including MRI, cognitive and motor tests to evaluate participants level of function at the start of the study. All participants will undergo a month of targeted daily motor training at home with the aim of improving control of hand movements. After this time participants will be reassessed to see their level of improvements. Data from half of the participants will be used to develop a calculation which will be used to predict, for each person, their likelihood of reaching a particular level of motor performance after training. Data from the other half of participants will be used to validate this calculation._x000D_ _x000D_ How will it help people with MS?_x000D_ _x000D_ This research will aim to develop a score for individuals that will predict their likelihood of responding to different rehabilitation treatments. If successful, this research could eventually be used by people with MS and health care professionals to help them make more informed decisions about which treatments are likely to be most effective for them.


Research activity codes: 4.2 EVALUATION OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL
Title: Comparing different treatments for foot drop in MS
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about?_x000D_ _x000D_ Many people with MS experience a symptom called â€˜foot dropâ€™, which can cause difficulties with walking and increase risk of falls and trips. Although there is increasing evidence that Functional Electrical Stimulation(FES) is a clinically effective treatment for this symptom, there is not yet enough evidence on the impact this treatment has on quality of life and its cost effectiveness. This means that in many areas the NHS will not pay for treatment with MS, so many people with MS are unable to access it. FES is a medical device that stimulates the nerve at the side of the lower part of the leg and contracts the muscle at the outside of the leg to help life the foot. This project is a clinical trial which will compare FES with Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO), the most commonly available treatment for foot drop. An AFO is a plastic splint which goes down the back of the leg and under the foot to help to reduce tripping. The trial will compare their effects on walking speed, fatigue, quality of life and a number of other methods, including measures of cost-effectiveness._x000D_ _x000D_ How will it help people with MS?_x000D_ _x000D_ The results of this study will inform the decisions that commissioners and clinicians make regarding the treatments that should be available, and if appropriate may lead to better access to FES.


Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES;6.5 RADIOTHERAPY AND OTHER NON-INVASIVE THERAPIES
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL
Title: Understanding more about chronic leg swelling in people with MS
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about? People with MS who have limited mobility can develop swelling in the legs known as Chronic Lower Limb Oedema (CLLO). This leg swelling can be painful, can make mobility worse, and can lead to infections which may require hospital admission. This project aims to establish the proportion of people with MS who experience leg swelling, what factors may precipitate CCLO, and the impact it has on the lives of people with MS._x000D_ _x000D_ How will it help people with MS?_x000D_ _x000D_ By improving our understanding of CCLO in people with MS it is hoped that we can improve the management of the condition, including designing clinical trials of different treatments.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL
Title: Exploring the role of genetic factors in MS
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about? Genetic studies have identified nearly 60 genetic factors that increase the risk for MS. However little is known about how these factors affect the normal functions of the body and therefore contribute to the development of MS. This project will study the role of one (of the nearly 60) genetic factors in MS to see whether it can increase the risk of MS by causing immune cells to be more active, especially in lesions. They will specifically look at the effect that this genetic factor has on a specific subset of immune cells. Researchers will collect immune cells from the blood of 50 healthy donors and 50 people with MS and will perform a series of tests to establish the effects of these genes and how the genetic variant affects the immune system to see if cells from people with this genetic variant behave differently from people without the genetic variant. How will it help people with MS? We know that many genes are associated with MS but researchers still have little understanding of the role that these genes play in MS. This research will try to identify the role of a specific gene variant has on the immune system in people with MS. Understanding this could help researchers identify new potential treatments for MS in the future.


Research activity codes: 2.1 BIOLOGICAL AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL
Title: Exploring how people adjust to progressive MS
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about? Adjusting to a diagnosis of primary progressive MS, or a transition from relapsing remitting MS to secondary progressive MS, can be extremely difficult. The psychological impact of MS is large, with around two thirds of people with MS experiencing anxiety or depression. This project will investigate the processes by which people adjust to progressive MS, including the factors which lead to better or worse adjustment. The researchers will also be exploring whether adjustment differs between people with primary progressive MS and secondary progressive MS._x000D_ _x000D_ How will it help people with MS?_x000D_ _x000D_ By improving our understanding of adjustment this project will lead to the development of better treatments to help people to adjust to progressive MS


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL
Title: Delivering cognitive rehabilitation to people with MS
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about? _x000D_ Many people with MS experience problems with cognitive processes, such as memory, decision making and concentration. Unfortunately there are few effective treatments available for these often distressing symptoms. This project will explore cognitive rehabilitation. Researchers will conduct a review of the published research to date, and carry out a national survey of cognition rehabilitation services across the country. Then, to learn more about peopleâ€™s perceptions and experiences of receiving cognitive rehabilitation therapy, researchers will interview people with MS taking part in the CRAMMS trial (Cognitive rehabilitation for attention and memory in people with MS). The CRAMMS trial aims to test whether a group cognitive rehabilitation programme can result in improved quality of life, and this project will form a component of the trial._x000D_ _x000D_ How will this help people with MS?_x000D_ _x000D_ This study will directly help in the development of a therapy that could help people experiencing problems with cognitive processes such as memory and difficulty concentrating.


Research activity codes: 6.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL
Title: Exploring fatigue in children and adolescents with MS
Funder: Multiple Sclerosis Society

Abstract: What is the project about? Just like in adults, fatigue is a common symptom in children and adolescents with MS. In this project researchers will review what is currently known about the factors involved in MS fatigue in children and adolescents, and then a group of children with MS will be interviewed to better understand the impact of fatigue for both themselves and for those close to them. Building on these interviews, a larger study will be conducted to compare children and adolescents with MS to other groups such as those with chronic fatigue syndrome. All of this research will feed into the development of a model of fatigue and a potential self-management intervention to help reduce the impact of fatigue in children and adolescents with MS. _x000D_ _x000D_ How will it help people with MS?_x000D_ _x000D_ Effective interventions have been designed for adults with MS, but there is not yet a design specific for children and adolescents with MS. This project builds towards the development of an intervention that is specifically tailored for the needs of children and adolescents with MS.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS;2.4 SURVEILLANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
Health categories: NEUROLOGICAL