The MS Research Flagship is dedicated to reducing the impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) through high-quality research, education and community engagement.
Our vision is to reduce the impact of MS on individuals and the community.
Our mission is to perform high-quality, interdisciplinary, and consumer driven research on the causes, treatment and prevention of MS through an integrated pipeline of research. Conducting high impact, translational research to improve health and benefit to society.
What is multiple sclerosis (MS)?
MS is a neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system and can, to varying degrees, interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses throughout the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Despite major advances in the treatment of MS, it remains an incurable and often progressive disease with significant personal and societal impacts.
MS affects more than 37,700 Australians and over 2.8 million people worldwide, with cases increasing by around 4% each year. Tasmania has the highest rate of MS in the country, with approximately 190 people diagnosed per 100,000. This unique concentration is one of the reasons why Menzies conducts internationally significant MS research to improve the lives of Tasmanians living with MS.
Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20-40, and women account for three out of every four diagnoses. Our research shows that the total cost of MS to society, including healthcare, lost productivity and informal care, exceeds $3 billion annually, with an average cost of $79,581 per person.
There is currently no established way to prevent, halt or reverse disability progression in people living with MS. While research has led to important advances, effective treatments for disability remain limited.