Experts from the University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical Research recently came together with community members to brainstorm and share the latest multiple sclerosis (MS) research advancements, as part of the 2019 MS Symposium.
Held in Hobart, the symposium was part of World MS Day (May 30) which this year carried ‘My Invisible MS’ as its theme.
This visibility theme draws attention to the invisible symptoms of MS and the often unseen implications these can have on day to day life.
Tasmania has the highest prevalence of people living with MS in Australia.
MS currently has no cure, and the symptoms can include fatigue, bladder and bowel changes, difficulty concentrating, difficulties with walking and balance, and a sensitivity to heat and cold.
Menzies Institute for Medical Research Director, Professor Alison Venn, said that a focus of Menzies’ research was on improving the lives of people with the disease.
“The public symposium was a powerful way for us to connect with the MS community, and share our latest research while also hearing from them about their challenges.”
Professor Venn spoke about the recently launched Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) which is a free course on MS, developed in collaboration with MS Limited.
“By working together on initiatives like today’s symposium and the online course, we can have a significantly positive impact on the lives of people with MS.”
The symposium was part of the Menzies MS Flagship Program, which was recently awarded $10 million in federal government funding for its collaborative research working with the wider MS community, nationally and internationally, towards better prevention, treatment and ultimately a cure for the disease.
