Episode 165: Understanding MS Clinical Research with Dr. Sandi Cassard and Diane Kramer

Almost everything that we've learned about multiple sclerosis is the result of people with MS choosing to participate in clinical research. When it comes to MS and most every other chronic illness, clinical research is the common denominator of all medical progress.      This week, we're breaking down the details of MS clinical research with my guests, Dr. Sandi Cassard, a research associate in the Neurology department at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and Diane Kramer, who has participated in more than 20 research studies since being diagnosed with MS in 2010.    After analyzing COVID-19 MS patient registries and studies from countries around the world, the MS International Federation has issued updated COVID-19 guidance for people living with MS. We'll tell you about it -- and if you've downloaded the RealTalk MS app from the Apple App Store or Google Play, you'll receive your own copy of this detailed guidance under the Bonus Content tab!   We also have some final words before election day to share with our listeners in the U.S. And they're not even our words!    We'll share the results of a study that may offer a clue as to why African-Americans with MS are likely to experience more relapses, greater disability, and often require mobility assistance earlier in their disease course when compared to Caucasians with MS.   You'll also hear about an MRI study that shows Hispanics with MS are at a higher risk for developing more aggressive forms of MS at an earlier age when compared to Caucasians with MS.   And you'll meet a true difference-maker when you meet Nightingale Award recipient and founder of MS Bright Spots of Hope, Michelle Keating.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! Have you checked out MSTranslate?  1:03 Healthcare is on the ballot! Have you voted yet???  3:42 MSIF issues updated COVID-19 guidance for people living with MS    9:38 Researchers discover 2 gene variants that may help explain why African-Americans with MS often have a more severe disease course than Caucasians with MS  10:58 A study shows that Hispanics with MS are at a higher risk of developing more aggressive forms of MS at an earlier age.  12:44 My Interview with MS researcher Dr. Sandi Cassard and Diane Kramer  14:57 My Interview with Nightingale Award recipient and founder of MS Bright Spots of Hope Michelle Keating  24:08 Share this episode  35:52 Donate to the National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund  36:12 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/165 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: [email protected]: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review National MS Society's Ask An MS Expert Video Replay What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) MSTranslate MSIF Global COVID-19 Advisory for People with MS STUDY: Two Genetic Variants Explain the Association of European Ancestry with Multiple Sclerosis Risk in African-Americans UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Project STUDY: Brain MRI Finds Hispanic Patients Develop More Aggressive MS MS Bright Spots of Hope National MS Society COVID-19 Response Fund Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating and Review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 165 Guests: Dr. Sandi Cassard, Diane Kramer, and Michelle Keating Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, MSSociety, MSActivist,  RealTalkMS Privacy Policy