Posted July 15, 2024

In FY24, Congress appropriated $20 million to the Multiple Sclerosis Research Program to support high impact research related to the prevention, assessment and treatment of multiple sclerosis for the benefit of Service Members and their Families, Veterans, and the American Public.

Although the MSRP invests in research to prevent, cure, reverse, or slow the progression of multiple sclerosis for anyone affected by the disease, there is evidence that suggests there may be a higher incidence rate of multiple sclerosis in the military community. The U.S. Armed Forces’ incidence rate of multiple sclerosis is higher per 100,000 people compared to the civilian population, 12.9 versus 7.5, respectively. A 2017 study found that Service Members deployed to a combat zone had a 22.4% higher rate of multiple sclerosis compared to those who did not deploy.

Researchers at the Veterans Affairs Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence identified more than 50,000 unique cases of multiple sclerosis in Veterans since 1999. In the last decade, between 18,000 to 20,000 Veterans received treatments for multiple sclerosis from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

According to the World Health Organization, researchers are not clear how multiple sclerosis develops. However, the VA designated this disease as a “ presumptive condition." As a presumptive condition, the VA assumes the Veteran developed the disease during service if symptoms appeared during active duty or within seven years after discharge.

WHAT IS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS?

Multiple sclerosis is a disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. This disease damages the protective barrier that surrounds the nerves that help your body communicate with your brain. These nerve pathways move signals that control functions like vision, sensation, and movement. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, auto-immune disease that presents differently in each person. Some people may only experience mild symptoms. Others may lose their ability to write, see clearly, speak, or even walk. There is currently no cure.

CAN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS BE MANAGED?

Yes. While there is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis, there are several FDA-approved therapies available to stabilize or slow the progression of the disease. The National Institutes of Health say treatment focuses on reducing the frequency of symptom flare-ups that slow disease progression and managing symptoms. Potential treatments include injectable medication, infusion treatments, and physical therapy.

HOW IS CDMRP SUPPORTING RESEARCH TO HELP SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS WITH THIS DISEASE?

The MSRP prioritizes the Veteran perspective in funded research. In addition to representatives from the advocacy community, members of the VA and Veterans with multiple sclerosis serve on MSRP programmatic and peer review panels to share their experiences and unique challenges. Their voices help drive the program strategy and ensures funded research will impact the multiple sclerosis community.

Leadership from the VA Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence serves on the MSRP programmatic panel to ensure CDMRP funds research that complements the VA and does not overlap. The MSRP program manager, Stan Niu, Ph.D., also collaborated with the VA Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence this year, helping the center develop their own research priorities.

“Collaboration with the VA allows us to understand the special needs of the patient population, access the patient population to participate in our sponsored studies, as well as to assist us to update our future investment strategies to better serve the Veterans with multiple sclerosis,” Niu said.

This partnership helps both organizations drive multiple sclerosis research forward without duplicating efforts.

In FY22, the MSRP funded a Clinical Trial Award designed to test the effectiveness of two online programs with the goal of gaining FDA approval of a novel non-invasive, drug-free intervention for multiple sclerosis-related fatigue management in patients. This trial will recruit 2,000 people living with multiple sclerosis, including Veterans, from four VA Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence sites.

The internet-based intervention is a multiple sclerosis-specific program based on cognitive behavioral therapy delivered over the internet. CBT is a psychological tool that helps people connect their physical symptoms with their emotional reactions and thinking. CBT is an effective intervention for other conditions like depression, anxiety, and pain. Internet-based interventions help make personalized therapy sessions more accessible for multiple sclerosis patients with transportation or mobility problems, financial limitations, or may live in remote locations without adequate resources.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Congress established the MSRP in FY09 with $5 million in appropriations. Through FY24, the MSRP received a total of $153.3 million in congressional appropriations and funded 208 awards. These investments led to 370 scientific research papers, three patents, and 13 clinical trials.

The MSRP offers a variety of award mechanisms to foster new ideas, encourage established scientists in the field, attract new scientific expertise to multiple sclerosis research, and promote multi-disciplinary collaborations. More information about the program, the strategic plan, and funded research can be found here.

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