Diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS) can be an incredibly complex process for both patients and doctors. With symptoms that often overlap with, or mimic other conditions, making a definitive diagnosis is challenging and could potentially take months or even years.
Advancements in research are essential for improving diagnostic accuracy and enabling earlier intervention, which can significantly enhance the quality of life for individuals living with MS.
In this episode, sponsored by Sanofi, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Jiwon Oh, a distinguished neurologist, scientist, and Medical Director of the BARLO Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Centre at St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto.
Dr. Oh is also the principal investigator for several key studies, including the Canadian Prospective Cohort Study to Understand Progression in MS (CanProCo) that aims to deepen our understanding of MS progression.
Today, she delves into the complexities of secondary progressive MS (SPMS), discussing everything from the need to reassess its various subtypes to the importance of clinical trials focusing on non-relapsing SPMS patients.
“The significance of a trial that focuses exclusively on non-relapsing SPMS is that there have been very few trials looking at progressive MS in general,” Dr. Oh explains, outlining how progress is now starting to be made in this field.
“It's a challenging population to study. It's a tricky and risky population to study. But in clinical practice, these are the types of patients where we truly have the greatest unmet need.”
To learn more about the challenges that this unmet need is currently presenting, and some of the ways in which researchers such as Dr. Oh are working to bridge this gap, tune into the full episode.