Episode 82: Minority Participation in MS Clinical Research with Dr. Mitzi Joi Williams

MS is an equal opportunity neurological disease. It doesn't seem to discriminate against any particular ethnic or racial group. It affects Latinos and African-Americans, as well as Caucasians. And if you're an MS research scientist, who's hoping to create a viable treatment that's going to be safe & effective for the diverse population living with multiple sclerosis, then having that diversity represented in your clinical research seems like it would be important. Unfortunately, it doesn't always happen that way. Minority populations are frequently overlooked and under-represented in MS clinical research.   My guest on the podcast is Dr. Mitzi Joi Williams, a neurologist and MS Specialist with a strong interest in better understanding the course of MS in ethnic minority populations, and in increasing diversity in clinical research.      We're also talking about important MS stem cell research that's being funded by the Department of Defense, the risks associated with stem cell tourism, a new oral Disease Modifying Therapy for relapsing-remitting MS, and a newly-approved prescription medication for treatment-resistant depression.   We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS?!   ___________ Promising MS Stem Cell Research Funded by Department of Defense  1:33 National MS Society Announces Strategic Partnership with U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs  4:32 The Risks of Stem Cell Tourism 5:26 Celgene Seeks EMA Approval of Ozanimod  11:29 FDA Approves Esketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression  12:50 My Interview with Dr. Mitzi Joi Williams  16:27 ___________ 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 ___________ 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 Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Give RealTalk MS a Rating & Review Using Reprogrammed Stem Cells as a Therapy for MS Complications of Stem Cell Tourism in Multiple Sclerosis & Other Neurological Diseases: Results From First Nationwide Survey of Academic Neurologists Celgene Submits Application to EMA for Ozanimod for the Treatment of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis FDA Approves Esketamine Nasal Spray for Treatment of Resistant Depression MS Made Simple by Dr. Mitzi Joi Williams ___________ Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 82 Hosted By: Jon Strum Guest: Dr. Mitzi Joi Williams Tags: MS, MultipleSclerosis, MSResearch, mssociety, Ozanimod, Esketamine, iConquerMS, Stemcells, RealTalkMS