The ECTRIMS Podcast
- Episódios
- 93
- Publicação
- semanal
- Último episódio
- 4 nov 2026
Sobre o podcast
The ECTRIMS Podcast is a sounding board for MS experts & advocates to discuss innovative work in MS research, treatment and care with the greater MS research community, while offering a collaborative platform for MS and healthcare experts to promote & nurture the advancement of research.
Episódios 93
MS Nurses on the Frontline of Multiple Sclerosis Care | MSToronto2026
MS nurses are at the heart of MS care, but as treatments become more complex and demands grow, what support do they need to keep going? In this special MSToronto2026 episode, host Brett Drummond is joined by …
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MS nurses are at the heart of MS care, but as treatments become more complex and demands grow, what support do they need to keep going? In this special MSToronto2026 episode, host Brett Drummond is joined by Colleen Harris, Nurse Practitioner at the University of Calgary MS Program, and Jenny Slough, Lead MS Specialist Nurse at UCLH, Queen Square. Together, they reflect on MSToronto2026's Nurses' Sessions, the opportunities and challenges facing MS nurses today, and the value of a global nursing network. How are complex new therapies changing the nurse's role? How do nurses make the most of short appointment times? And why do nurses themselves so urgently need support? Whether you're an MS nurse, work alongside one, or simply want to understand the vital role they play, this is a conversation worth hearing.This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
NMOSD & MOGAD: New Treatments and Hope for the Future | Patient Community Day 2026 (Part 2)
🎙️ What does the future hold for people living with NMOSD and MOGAD? With new treatments emerging and research advancing, there are important reasons for hope. As part of Patient Community Day 2026, we're …
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🎙️ What does the future hold for people living with NMOSD and MOGAD? With new treatments emerging and research advancing, there are important reasons for hope.
As part of Patient Community Day 2026, we're pleased to share the second episode in our two-part ECTRIMS Podcast series, exploring the latest research and the perspectives of people living with MS and related neurological conditions.
Host Brett Drummond sits down with Taylor Ann Macey, Director of Patient Engagement at the Sumaira Foundation who lives with NMOSD, and Dr Eoin Flanagan, Professor of Neurology at Mayo Clinic, for a conversation about scientific progress and lived experience.
- What are the challenges of living with a rare neuroimmune condition?
- How are new treatments changing the outlook for NMOSD and MOGAD?
- And why are the involvement of people with lived experienceand so important in shaping future research?
From the isolation that can come with a rare diagnosis to the growing optimism around treatment and research, this conversation highlights both the challenges and the possibilities ahead.
This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
MS Research: What's New and What Matters to Patients? | Patient Community Day 2026 (Part 1)
What does the MS community need from research – and how can we make sure the voices of people living with MS help shape what comes next? As part of Patient Community Day 2026, we're sharing a special …
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What does the MS community need from research – and how can we make sure the voices of people living with MS help shape what comes next?
As part of Patient Community Day 2026, we're sharing a special collaborative episode from RealTalk MS and the ECTRIMS Podcast, hosted by Jon Strum.
Jon is joined by Karen Jacoby, MS advocate and person living with MS, and Peter Feys, Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences and Neurorehabilitation at Hasselt University – for a conversation that puts the patient perspective at the centre – exploring the relationship between research, lived experience and the priorities that matter to people affected by MS.
Recorded at Patient Community Day in Toronto, the episode forms part of the wider conversations taking place during the 10th Joint ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS Meeting – but this one is specifically for, and about, the MS community.
This episode was produced and hosted by RealTalk MS – a Supporting Partner of Patient Community Day – and is being shared across ECTRIMS channels with permission from Jon Strum to help the conversation reach as many people as possible.
This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
MSToronto2026 Day Three: What Will We Take Away from Toronto?
Three days of science, debate and discovery. For the final episode in our special MSToronto2026 podcast series, ECTRIMS Executive Committee member Jaume Sastre-Garriga joins host Brett Drummond direct from …
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Three days of science, debate and discovery.
For the final episode in our special MSToronto2026 podcast series, ECTRIMS Executive Committee member Jaume Sastre-Garriga joins host Brett Drummond direct from Toronto.
Together, they unpack the key insights from Day Three, including the Late Breaking Abstract session, before stepping back to reflect on the Joint Meeting as a whole.
What stood out across the week? Which developments and conversations could have lasting significance? And as thousands of researchers and clinicians prepare to leave Toronto, what comes next for the MS field?
Recorded at the 10th Joint ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS Meeting, this is our final dispatch from Toronto – bringing together the science, conversations and ideas that shaped an extraordinary week.
This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
MSToronto2026 Day Two: What Does the MS Community Need Next?
Today, our special podcast series brings together two major voices from the North American MS community: Tim Coetzee, National Multiple Sclerosis Society Pamela Valentine, MS Canada Scientific progress in MS is …
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Today, our special podcast series brings together two major voices from the North American MS community:
- Tim Coetzee, National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- Pamela Valentine, MS Canada
Scientific progress in MS is accelerating. But is that progress reaching the people who need it?
Alongside their reflections on the key takeaways and conversations from Day Two of MSToronto2026, Tim and Pamela join host Brett Drummond to look beyond individual studies and ask some bigger questions about where the MS field goes next.
Where does the MS community need progress most urgently? How can researchers, clinicians, patient organisations and people affected by MS work together more effectively? And how do we make sure scientific advances ultimately translate into meaningful change in people's lives?
This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
Day One Highlights: From Imaging to Biology with Daniel Reich
Day One at MSToronto2026 – and we're taking you inside one of the meeting's headline lectures. Our special MSToronto2026 podcast series continues with Daniel Reich – the MSToronto2026 Lecturer – as he joins …
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Day One at MSToronto2026 – and we're taking you inside one of the meeting's headline lectures.
Our special MSToronto2026 podcast series continues with Daniel Reich – the MSToronto2026 Lecturer – as he joins host Brett Drummond to reflect on some of the key takeaways from the first full day in Toronto.
Then, we go deeper. What if imaging could help us connect the dots in MS - from disease mechanisms to networks to the person living with MS?
Fresh from his lecture, Unifying Multiple Sclerosis: Imaging from Teams to Tissue to Biology, Daniel takes the conversation beyond the stage:
· What can imaging reveal about the biology driving MS?
· How is it changing the way we understand what is happening in the brain?
· And where could the next generation of imaging take MS research?
Recorded direct from Toronto, our MSToronto2026 series is only getting started. Follow the ECTRIMS Podcast as we bring you new conversations and highlights direct from Toronto throughout the Joint Meeting.
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This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
MSToronto2026 Pre-Day Highlights with Ann Yeh
The ECTRIMS Podcast is on the ground at MSToronto2026 – bringing you the conversations, insights and highlights as they happen. Kicking off our special MSToronto2026 Joint Meeting Series, Ann Yeh joins host …
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The ECTRIMS Podcast is on the ground at MSToronto2026 – bringing you the conversations, insights and highlights as they happen.
Kicking off our special MSToronto2026 Joint Meeting Series, Ann Yeh joins host Brett Drummond direct from Toronto to unpack the highlights of Pre-Day.
Before the 10th Joint ACTRIMS-ECTRIMS Meeting officially begins, Pre-Day puts the spotlight on paediatric MS and related neuroinflammatory diseases – and some of the important questions shaping the field right now.
What stood out? What should clinicians and researchers take away? And which conversations are already setting the stage for the meeting ahead?
🎙️ This is just the beginning. Listen now, and follow the ECTRIMS Podcast throughout MSToronto2026 as we bring you new episodes direct from Toronto across the week.
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LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
MSToronto2026 takes place in Toronto, Canada, on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. Toronto is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.
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This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
Can We Detect MS Progression in Real Time?
Can clinicians identify MS progression as it happens, or does confirming meaningful disability worsening require months of observation? Early recognition of multiple sclerosis (MS) progression is critical to …
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Can clinicians identify MS progression as it happens, or does confirming meaningful disability worsening require months of observation?
Early recognition of multiple sclerosis (MS) progression is critical to informing clinical decisions. Yet distinguishing genuine disease progression from temporary fluctuations remains one of the challenges in routine MS care.
In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, produced in collaboration with the Multiple Sclerosis Journal, host Associate Professor Anneke van der Walt is joined by Professor Helmut Butzkueven (Monash University, Australia) and Professor Tjalf Ziemssen (University Hospital Dresden, Germany) to explore both sides of a timely clinical controversy: Can we detect a progression event in an MS clinic in real time?
Drawing on opposing perspectives published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal, the discussion examines the value and limitations of disability assessments, longitudinal patient registries, digital monitoring tools and patient-reported changes.
Can routinely collected clinical data help clinicians recognise progression earlier? How reliable are current measures such as the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)? And what can clinicians do to identify meaningful change when consultation time and resources are limited?
The conversation highlights the importance of balancing early recognition with diagnostic certainty, while keeping the patient's lived experience central to clinical assessment.
Read the accompanying publications in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal:
- YES – Can we detect a progression event in an MS clinic in real time? https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13524585251409568
- NO – Can we detect a progression event in an MS clinic in real time?https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13524585251409547
- Accompanying commentary https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13524585251409579
This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
Sandra Vukusic Named 2026 Rachel Horne Prize Winner
Prof. Sandra Vukusic has been named the 2026 recipient of the Rachel Horne Prize for Women's Research in MS. In this special episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, Sandra joins prize founder Rachel Horne and host …
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Prof. Sandra Vukusic has been named the 2026 recipient of the Rachel Horne Prize for Women's Research in MS.
In this special episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, Sandra joins prize founder Rachel Horne and host Brett Drummond to mark the announcement and explore the research behind the recognition.
Sandra reflects on a career dedicated to improving the health and care of women living with multiple sclerosis, beginning with early research into pregnancy and postpartum relapse and evolving to encompass family planning, disease-modifying treatment, breastfeeding, menopause and wider aspects of women's health.
The conversation explores important evidence that women living with MS may be undertreated compared with men, including the potential influence of anticipated pregnancy on treatment decisions. Sandra also discusses how advances in research are helping women living with MS make choices about treatment and family life that were once considered impossible.
Rachel shares why she established the Rachel Horne Prize, the persistent gaps she saw in research addressing women's health in MS, and her hope that one day women's health will simply be an integral part of MS research and care.
A special conversation celebrating scientific achievement, progress — and the work still to come.
The Multi-Arm Multi-Stage Advantage: Transforming Multiple Sclerosis Trials
What if clinical trials could evaluate multiple treatment approaches at the same time and adapt as evidence emerges? In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Prof. Jeremy Chataway …
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What if clinical trials could evaluate multiple treatment approaches at the same time and adapt as evidence emerges?In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Prof. Jeremy Chataway of University College London and Prof. Daniel Ontaneda of Cleveland Clinic about multi-arm, multi-stage clinical trials and their potential to make MS research more efficient and responsive.
The episode comes at an especially timely moment. This week, interim results from the OCTOPUS trial showed that alpha-lipoic acid will progress to the next stage of the trial, while the metformin arm will be stopped. These results provide an early demonstration of the adaptive approach discussed in this episode — although the conversation itself was recorded before the interim results were available.
Together, they discuss:
- How multi-arm, multi-stage trials differ from traditional clinical trial designs
- Why these approaches could be particularly valuable in progressive multiple sclerosis
- How a single trial framework can allow promising treatments to advance while less promising approaches are stopped
- The potential benefits for recruitment, participant experience and reducing the time between trial phases
- The statistical and practical challenges involved in designing and running these complex studies
- How interim outcomes, imaging and biomarkers could help identify promising treatments earlier
- What the OCTOPUS trial is investigating — and how its design is being used to evaluate potential treatments for progressive MS
- Whether the same approach could be used to accelerate the development of remyelination and repair therapies
As the first OCTOPUS interim results now show, the adaptive design discussed in this episode is not simply theoretical. This episode offers a particularly relevant look at the thinking behind the trial and the methodology being used to determine which treatments should move forward and which should not.
This podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases, Bristol Myers Squibb, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
The Blood–Brain Barrier in Multiple Sclerosis: From Dysfunction to Treatment
The blood–brain barrier is a highly specialised interface that regulates the movement of cells, molecules and nutrients between the circulation and the central nervous system. But what happens when this …
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The blood–brain barrier is a highly specialised interface that regulates the movement of cells, molecules and nutrients between the circulation and the central nervous system.
But what happens when this critical barrier becomes dysfunctional in multiple sclerosis?
In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Prof. Elga de Vries of Amsterdam UMC and MS Center Amsterdam about the evolving science of blood–brain barrier dysfunction in MS.
They explore how the blood–brain barrier functions in health, how its disruption relates to immune cell infiltration and inflammatory disease activity, and why research increasingly suggests these changes may remain relevant across different stages of MS.
The conversation also looks at innovative blood–brain barrier-on-a-chip models, how existing MS treatments interact with the barrier, and emerging approaches designed to transport therapies more effectively into the CNS.
Finally, they consider an intriguing future direction: could strengthening the blood–brain barrier itself become part of the therapeutic strategy for MS?
This podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases, Bristol Myers Squibb, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB.
Predicting MS: Can Data Bring Us Closer to Personalised Care?
Can growing amounts of real-world MS data help clinicians predict disease progression and make more personalised treatment decisions? In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Dr …
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Can growing amounts of real-world MS data help clinicians predict disease progression and make more personalised treatment decisions?
In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Dr. Will Brown from Cambridge University and Dr. Carmen Tur from CEMCAT about the rapidly evolving field of predictive modelling in multiple sclerosis.
They explore why MS is particularly difficult to predict, from its biological and clinical heterogeneity to the lack of sufficiently sensitive, specific and widely available biomarkers. They also discuss how increasingly rich, long-term datasets are allowing researchers to study disease outcomes, treatment journeys and populations traditionally underrepresented in clinical trials.
The conversation examines the methodological challenges that come with real-world data, including missing data, non-random treatment allocation, clinical outcome selection and bias, as well as the opportunities and limitations of AI and machine learning.
Finally, they ask what must happen before predictive models can enter routine clinical care — including robust external validation, calibration, interpretability, equitable representation and evidence that using these tools actually improves clinical decisions and long-term patient outcomes.
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This podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
How Technology Is Transforming Multiple Sclerosis Care
Technology is opening new possibilities for how multiple sclerosis is monitored, treated and managed. In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Prof. Ellen Mowry of Johns Hopkins …
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Technology is opening new possibilities for how multiple sclerosis is monitored, treated and managed.
In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Prof. Ellen Mowry of Johns Hopkins University and Prof. Letizia Leocani of Vita-Salute San Raffaele University about how innovative medical technologies could transform MS research and clinical care.
Together, they explore:
- How artifical intelligence, wearable devices and digital biomarkers could help monitor MS progression
- The potential to capture fatigue, cognition, pain, mood, sleep and other symptoms between clinical visits
- How passive monitoring could provide a more complete picture of everyday life with MS
- The growing role of virtual rehabilitation, digital therapies and other technologies in bringing care into people's homes
- Why digital biomarkers require rigorous research and validation before being used in clinical trials
From earlier detection of disability progression to more accessible rehabilitation and personalised symptom management, this episode examines both the opportunities and challenges of using technology to improve MS care.
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This podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
Should High-Risk Populations Be Screened for Multiple Sclerosis?
Could multiple sclerosis one day be detected before symptoms appear? And if so, should we be actively screening people who are at higher risk? In this episode of the ECTRIMS–MS Journal collaboration series …
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Could multiple sclerosis one day be detected before symptoms appear? And if so, should we be actively screening people who are at higher risk?
In this episode of the ECTRIMS–MS Journal collaboration series, host Prof. Anneke van der Walt, Controversies Editor at the Multiple Sclerosis Journal, is joined by Prof. Helen Tremlett (University of British Columbia) and Prof. Ruth Ann Marrie (Dalhousie University) to debate one of the most important emerging questions in MS research.
Helen argues that targeted screening should begin now—but only within carefully designed research studies—to better understand how MS develops before clinical symptoms appear. Ruth Ann argues that while prevention is the ultimate goal, the science, ethics and healthcare systems are not yet ready for widespread screening.
Together they discuss:
· Whether MS is entering a new era of prevention research
· What lessons can be learned from Parkinson's disease and radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS)
· The ethical and psychological impact of identifying people at risk before symptoms develop
· How screening programmes could improve—or worsen—health inequalities
· What research is still needed before screening could ever become part of routine clinical practice
Although they argue opposing positions, both experts agree on one important point: preventing MS is an achievable ambition—but only if research proceeds carefully, ethically and equitably.
This MS Journal Controversies article series has been made open access for the next month for ease of reading.
- "Yes" – High-risk populations should be screened for MS
- "No" – High-risk populations should not yet be screened for MS
- "Commentary" – High-risk populations should not yet be screened for MS
Note: This episode is part of the MS Journal Controversies in MS series, where experts debate opposing viewpoints on important unresolved questions in MS research. The positions argued do not necessarily represent the authors' personal opinions, but rather present the strongest evidence supporting each side of the debate.
How Geography, Healthcare Systems and Access Shape the Multiple Sclerosis Journey
Where someone lives can profoundly influence their multiple sclerosis journey. While advances in diagnosis and treatment have transformed MS care in many parts of the world, millions of people still face …
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Where someone lives can profoundly influence their multiple sclerosis journey.
While advances in diagnosis and treatment have transformed MS care in many parts of the world, millions of people still face significant barriers to diagnosis, specialist care and life-changing therapies.
In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Dr. Fiifi Duodu and Prof. Alfredo Damasceno about the realities of managing MS patients in diverse healthcare settings and what can be done to improve equity worldwide.
Together, they discuss:
🔹 Why MS diagnosis can take years in some regions, and how the revised 2024 McDonald Criteria are influencing earlier MS diagnosis
🔹 The impact of limited access to neurologists and MRI
🔹 Barriers to disease-modifying therapies and anti-CD20 treatments
🔹 The role of regional initiatives such as AFRICTRIMS and BCTRIMS
🔹 Why greater diversity in MS clinical trials matters
This episode highlights both the challenges and the remarkable progress being made to improve MS care across the globe.
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This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
MS Research Briefs: MRI Biomarkers, Machine Learning and the Future of MS Diagnosis
Welcome to MS Research Briefs, a new ECTRIMS podcast series delivering an expert guided tour of important new studies in multiple sclerosis research. In each episode, leading MS experts will take a small number …
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Welcome to MS Research Briefs, a new ECTRIMS podcast series delivering an expert guided tour of important new studies in multiple sclerosis research.
In each episode, leading MS experts will take a small number of recently published studies and go beyond the headline findings – exploring what the research shows and how it may influence clinical practice and future discovery.
In this inaugural episode, Prof. Alan Thompson and Prof. Olga Ciccarelli discuss two studies exploring how advanced MRI biomarkers and machine learning may transform the diagnosis and prognosis of multiple sclerosis.
Featured Publications- Paramagnetic Rim Lesions and Development of Clinical MS in Radiologically Isolated Syndrome.JAMA Neurology. 2026;83(3):250–258.
- Machine learning-based combination of the central vein sign, cortical lesions and paramagnetic rim lesions: a web-based tool for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.Brain Communications. 2026;8(2):fcag079.
- Can paramagnetic rim lesions identify individuals with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) who are most likely to develop clinical MS?
- Why do paramagnetic rim lesions appear to be stronger prognostic biomarkers while the central vein sign remains a powerful diagnostic biomarker?
- Can machine learning models combining MRI biomarkers outperform traditional dissemination-in-space criteria?
- What role might advanced MRI biomarkers play in future diagnostic criteria and treatment decisions?
- How close are we to AI-supported diagnosis and automated biomarker detection in routine clinical practice?
As advanced MRI biomarkers move from research tools towards clinically meaningful decision-making, this episode explores one of the most important developments in contemporary MS research.
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This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis: Separating Evidence from Expectation
Vitamin D and multiple sclerosis have been linked for decades, but how strong is the evidence – and what does it mean for clinical practice? In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks …
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Vitamin D and multiple sclerosis have been linked for decades, but how strong is the evidence – and what does it mean for clinical practice?
In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Prof. Eric Thouvenot from University Hospital of Nimes and Dr. Deborah Mason from Christchurch Hospital about the evolving science behind vitamin D and MS.
Together, they explore:
- Why vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased MS risk
- The influence of latitude, sunlight exposure and genetics
- How vitamin D affects immune regulation and inflammation
- Findings from recent vitamin D supplementation trials
As researchers continue to investigate vitamin D's role in MS, this episode provides a balanced look at what we know, what remains uncertain, and what it means for patient care.
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This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
Can the revised 2024 McDonald Diagnostic criteria solve the misdiagnosis problem in multiple sclerosis?
In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, recorded in collaboration with the Multiple Sclerosis Journal "Controversies in MS" series, host Prof. Anneke van der Walt moderates a discussion between Prof. Andy …
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In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, recorded in collaboration with the Multiple Sclerosis Journal "Controversies in MS" series, host Prof. Anneke van der Walt moderates a discussion between Prof. Andy Solomon and Prof. Enrique Gómez on one of the most debated developments in modern multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
Together, they explore:
• Why misdiagnosis remains a major challenge in MS care • The role of the central vein sign (CVS) and paramagnetic rim lesions (PRLs) in improving specificity • Whether expanding diagnostic sensitivity may increase false positives • The practical realities of implementing advanced MRI biomarkers globally • The importance of radiology training, implementation science, and AI-assisted imaging • How clinicians should approach MRI interpretation in real-world practice
This conversation examines the balance between earlier diagnosis, diagnostic accuracy, and equitable implementation of emerging diagnostic tools across different healthcare settings.
This episode is part of the MS Journal Controversies in MS series on The revised 2024 McDonald criteria can solve the misdiagnosis problem in MS. The accompanying Yes, No, and Commentary articles are available to read open access for the next month, compliments of MS Journal.
EBV and Multiple Sclerosis: Could Infection Hold the Key to MS?
Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) has become one of the most intensely studied topics in multiple sclerosis research. But how strong is the evidence linking EBV to MS, and could targeting the virus change the future of …
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Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) has become one of the most intensely studied topics in multiple sclerosis research. But how strong is the evidence linking EBV to MS, and could targeting the virus change the future of treatment and prevention?
In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Prof. Gavin Giovannoni and Prof. Tomas Olsson about the evolving science connecting infections, immunity and multiple sclerosis.
Together, they explore:
- Molecular mimicry and how EBV proteins may trigger autoimmune responses
- Whether EBV contributes to chronic CNS inflammation and disease progression
- Emerging therapeutic approaches including antivirals, CAR-T cells, and vaccines
This conversation examines one of the most important scientific questions in MS research and the therapeutic possibilities that may emerge from it.
Fenebrutinib in Relapsing MS: FENhance Trial Results Explained
New Phase 3 data presented at the AAN conference 2026 provide compelling evidence that fenebrutinib may represent a high-efficacy oral treatment option for people living with relapsing multiple sclerosis. In …
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New Phase 3 data presented at the AAN conference 2026 provide compelling evidence that fenebrutinib may represent a high-efficacy oral treatment option for people living with relapsing multiple sclerosis.
In this exclusive episode, leading experts Prof. Ludwig Kappos from University of Basel and Dr. Jiwon Oh from Barlo MS Centre join host Brett Drummond to unpack the full FENhance 1 & 2 trial results.
Together, they explore:
- How fenebrutinib performed against teriflunomide in relapsing MS
- Why BTK inhibition continues to generate strong interest across the MS treatment landscape
- What the results reveal about relapse reduction, MRI outcomes, and disability progression
- What the safety profile of fenebrutinib looked like in this cohort of patients
Listen for a deep dive into the science, clinical context, and future implications for MS care.
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This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
How MRI and OCT are Changing Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment
Imaging techniques in multiple sclerosis are evolving rapidly, with MRI and emerging biomarkers playing a central role in diagnosis, prognosis and disease monitoring. In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast …
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Imaging techniques in multiple sclerosis are evolving rapidly, with MRI and emerging biomarkers playing a central role in diagnosis, prognosis and disease monitoring.
In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, neurologist Gabriel Bsteh and host Brett Drummond explore how MRI, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and imaging biomarkers are reshaping the way clinicians diagnose and manage MS.
They discuss the 2024 updates to the McDonald diagnostic criteria, including the introduction of the central vein sign (CVS), paramagnetic rim lesions (PRL), and the inclusion of the optic nerve.
The episode also examines how imaging biomarkers may be used to:
- Predict disease progression
- Provide prognostic information at diagnosis
- Monitor neuro-axonal damage over time
- Support treatment decisions and personalised medicine
This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in multiple sclerosis, MRI, OCT, biomarkers, and advances in MS research and care.
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This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
Does the Label Given to My MS Disease Course Matter?
How much do the labels used to describe multiple sclerosis actually reflect the lived experience of people affected by the disease? In this first episode of the new ECTRIMS–MS Journal collaboration series, host …
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How much do the labels used to describe multiple sclerosis actually reflect the lived experience of people affected by the disease?
In this first episode of the new ECTRIMS–MS Journal collaboration series, host Dr. Anneke van der Walt, Controversies Editor at the Multiple Sclerosis Journal, speaks with Jon Strum, MS caregiver and host of the RealTalk MS podcast, and Kathryn Smith, patient advocate and volunteer with the National MS Society, and person living with MS.
Together they explore a deceptively simple question: does the label given to an MS disease course actually matter?
Jon argues that disease labels shape perception, communication and expectations for people living with MS and their families. Kathryn explains why those same labels increasingly fail to capture the day-to-day reality of living with the disease.
They discuss:
- Why traditional MS disease course labels can feel disconnected from lived experience
- The emotional and practical impact of terms such as relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive
- The concept of PIRA (progression independent of relapse activity) and what it reveals about MS progression
- Why functional outcomes and patient experience should play a greater role in how MS is described
- The importance of patient voice in research, clinical conversations and scientific publishing
Although they begin from opposing viewpoints, Jon and Kathryn ultimately arrive at a shared conclusion: the MS community may need a new language — one that better reflects biology, individual experience and the realities of living with the disease.
Note: This episode is part of the MS Journal Controversies in MS series, specifically its new Controversies: Patient Voice section – a dedicated space highlighting the lived experiences of people affected by MS. Please see the following articles for more information:
Rehabilitation in MS and the Case for Early Intervention
Rehabilitation is more than exercise – it is a personalised process of learning and adaptation that empowers people living with MS to maximise independence, participation and quality of life. In this episode …
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Rehabilitation is more than exercise – it is a personalised process of learning and adaptation that empowers people living with MS to maximise independence, participation and quality of life.
In this episode – recorded at ECTRIMS 2025 in Barcelona during the joint ECTRIMS–RIMS meeting – host Brett Drummond speaks with Prof. Roshan das Nair from SINTEF and Dr. Blanca de Dios Pérez from University of Nottingham about the evolving role of rehabilitation in MS care.
They explore:
· Why rehabilitation should be integrated from diagnosis
· The rise of vocational rehabilitation and supporting people to remain in work
· Mental health as a core component of MS care
· Digital technologies for cognitive screening and personalised triage
· The importance of implementation — turning research into real-world care
· Moving toward a "community of care" model beyond the clinic
As MS care advances, rehabilitation remains essential for translating medical progress into meaningful everyday outcomes.
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This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
Fenebrutinib in PPMS: Insights from ACTRIMS Forum 2026
Clinical trial results unveiled today at ACTRIMS Forum 2026 suggest that fenebrutinib may be a novel and effective treatment option for people living with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. In this …
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Clinical trial results unveiled today at ACTRIMS Forum 2026 suggest that fenebrutinib may be a novel and effective treatment option for people living with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. In this exclusive episode providing the first expert discussion of the complete dataset, FENtrepid trial leads Prof. Amit Bar-Or (University of Pennsylvania) and Dr. Stephen Hauser (University of California San Francisco) break down what the fenebrutinib results really show. Together, they explore:
- Why BTK inhibition is uniquely positioned to address progressive MS biology
- How fenebrutinib compared to ocrelizumab in the Phase 3 FENtrepid PPMS trial
- What the data suggest for patients with non-relapsing, chronic disease
Listen for a deep dive into the science and the clinical implications.
Editorial Note: At 21:49, the discussion refers to Müller cells. The correct term is Kupffer cells.
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This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
Harnessing the Gut Microbiome in MS: From Insight to Intervention
What role does the gut microbiome play in multiple sclerosis — and how close are we to translating microbiome research into meaningful clinical interventions? In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett …
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What role does the gut microbiome play in multiple sclerosis — and how close are we to translating microbiome research into meaningful clinical interventions?
In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond is joined by Mahesh Desai (Luxembourg Institute of Health) and Ashutosh Mangalam (University of Iowa), two internationally recognised leaders in microbiome and MS research, to explore how gut microbes influence disease susceptibility, progression, and immune regulation in MS.
The discussion moves beyond simple "good vs bad bacteria" narratives, highlighting why microbial function, community structure, and host–microbiome dialogue are far more informative than individual taxa alone. The speakers examine evidence from animal models and human studies, including twin studies, microbial networks, and immune markers such as IgA coating, to understand whether microbiome changes are drivers or consequences of disease.
They also explore the potential of the gut microbiome as a predictive biomarker, the challenges of causality, and why diet and personalised approaches may be key to restoring immune balance in MS.
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This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
How well are we measuring cognition in MS?
Cognitive change is one of the most common—and most misunderstood—symptoms of multiple sclerosis. In this episode, host Brett Drummond is joined by Dr. Vicki Levitt (Columbia University) and Dr. Tom Fuchs (MS …
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Cognitive change is one of the most common—and most misunderstood—symptoms of multiple sclerosis. In this episode, host Brett Drummond is joined by Dr. Vicki Levitt (Columbia University) and Dr. Tom Fuchs (MS Center Amsterdam) to explore why cognition remains one of the biggest unmet challenges in MS care.
Although problems with memory, attention, information processing speed, and executive function affect many people with MS, cognitive symptoms are often overlooked in routine clinical practice. The conversation examines why current assessment tools are not widely used, the barriers to implementing cognitive screening in busy clinics, and why measuring cognitive change is becoming increasingly important as treatments continue to improve physical outcomes.
From practical challenges in the clinic to cutting-edge research shaping the future, this episode explores how better measurement, earlier detection, and more personalised approaches could help protect one of the outcomes that matters most to people living with multiple sclerosis.
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This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
MS Nursing: Listening, Leadership, and the Role of AI in Patient Care
At every stage of the MS journey, nurses are the steady link between patients, families, and the healthcare team. In this episode, host Brett Drummond speaks with Amy Perrin Ross, MS Specialist Nurse and …
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At every stage of the MS journey, nurses are the steady link between patients, families, and the healthcare team.
In this episode, host Brett Drummond speaks with Amy Perrin Ross, MS Specialist Nurse and Program Coordinator at Loyola University Chicago (USA), and Miguel Ángel Cortés-Vicente, Multiple Sclerosis Consultant Nurse at CEMCAT – Centre d'Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya (Spain), about the evolving role of MS nurses — from care coordination and patient engagement to leadership in research and innovation.
They share insights from the 2025 ECTRIMS Congress Nurse Sessions, exploring how nurses are advancing health literacy, supporting shared decision-making, and integrating AI to improve patient care.
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This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
Why We Need to Talk More About Mental Health in MS
While much of MS care focuses on physical symptoms, mental health challenges—like depression, anxiety, loneliness, and stigma—often go under-recognised. In this episode, host Brett Drummond speaks with Dr …
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While much of MS care focuses on physical symptoms, mental health challenges—like depression, anxiety, loneliness, and stigma—often go under-recognised.
In this episode, host Brett Drummond speaks with Dr. Rebecca MaGuire, psychologist and MS researcher at Maynooth University, who also lives with MS herself. Together they discuss why mental health must become a core part of MS care, what the latest research reveals, and how clinicians and communities can better support emotional wellbeing throughout the MS journey.
This podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
MS Research Through the Patient Lens: Key Takeaways from Patient Community Day 2025
Patient Community Day 2025 set a new attendance record, highlighting the growing desire among people living with MS to connect with experts leading the charge in understanding the disease and advancing …
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Patient Community Day 2025 set a new attendance record, highlighting the growing desire among people living with MS to connect with experts leading the charge in understanding the disease and advancing effective treatments.
After the event wrapped up in Barcelona, host Brett Drummond caught up with Julie Petrin, Director of Impact and Evaluation at MS Canada and a person living with MS, and Non Helena Smit, CEO of MS South Africa, to reflect on key takeaways and share what they're looking forward to at next year's event in Toronto.
This podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
Can We Repair Myelin in Multiple Sclerosis? Results from the CCMR-Two Trial
Can damaged myelin be repaired in people living with multiple sclerosis? Results from the CCMR-Two clinical trial presented at ECTRIMS 2025 offered promising new evidence for remyelination using a combination …
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Can damaged myelin be repaired in people living with multiple sclerosis? Results from the CCMR-Two clinical trial presented at ECTRIMS 2025 offered promising new evidence for remyelination using a combination of metformin and clemastine.
Straight from his late-breaking presentation in Barcelona, trial lead Dr. Nick Cunniffe of the University of Cambridge joins host Brett Drummond to explain what the results mean, what researchers are learning about the biology of myelin repair, and the next steps towards developing future remyelination therapies for MS.
This podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.
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