ACT MS Symposium 2019

On 29 October 2019, OHIOH hosted the the third ACT MS Symposium at the ANU John Curtin School of Medical Research.

The event featured researchers and clinicians from overseas and interstate, and members of the OHIOH research team. Seventy participants attended, including a large number of people with multiple sclerosis, who enjoyed hearing the presentations and meeting and chatting with the clinicians and researchers.

Our students presented posters of the work undertaken by them and were available to discuss their research. We were very privileged to hear from Associate Professor Ellen Mowry from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA, who spoke on personalising the approach to multiple sclerosis through 'learning health systems.'

Professor Mowry discussed MS Paths (Partners advancing technology and health solutions) which is seeking to enhance MS care. Other areas of MS research discussed included clinical phenotyping, bio banking for genetic research, retinal imaging, patient reported outcomes, and wearable measures of disability.

Dr Patrick Aouad presented on Understanding, diagnosing and managing MS in 2019 and beyond.

The presentation was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Professor Christian Lueck. Among the panelists were two people with MS who talked about their journeys with MS, Professor Mowry, Professor Robyn Lucas (ANU), Dr Aouad, Dr Julia Morahan from MS Research Australia, and Jeff Lawrence MSL.

Dr Vanessa Fanning is the Australian non-clinical representative on the Alliance and reported on work undertaken by the International Progressive MS Research Alliance.

Researchers from the OHIOH team shared the promising progress of the work undertaken to date.

"It was encouraging to see people with MS actively involved in the Symposium. The ANU is to be commended for hosting these Symposia which are gaining in strength and respect each year," Katrina Chisholm, a person with MS, said.