“If we can pick up MS before it becomes symptomatic and if we can treat it effectively, we can prevent a significant number from developing symptomatic MS.”
Watch the full interview with Dr Yi Chao Foong below.
Project Summary:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic autoimmune neurological disease, typically beginning in young adulthood and leading to long-term impacts on independence, employment, and healthcare needs. In Australia, MS affects more than 25,000 people, with costs averaging $73,000 per year and rising sharply with increasing disability. Early diagnosis and treatment are the most effective ways to prevent long-term disability. Recent studies show that treatment during a pre-symptomatic stage, called radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS), can reduce progression to MS by 70-80%. Despite this, there is currently no population-level screening program, even though first-degree relatives face a 2-5% lifetime risk. Delays in diagnosis and treatment are a major source of frustration for people living with MS and can contribute to greater disability, making early detection a key research priority.
Our project aims to lay the groundwork for a future MS screening program by validating low-field MRI. This technology is lower cost, portable, and requires less specialised staff than standard MRI, making it suitable for wider use. We will compare low-field MRI to standard 3T MRI in people with known MS to confirm its accuracy for detecting MS lesions and test different image processing methods to optimise lesion identification. This research will address critical barriers to scalable MS screening and help enable earlier detection and treatment, ultimately reducing disability and improving quality of life for people at risk of MS.
The Brain Foundation is dedicated to funding the next generation of Australian research into brain disorders, diseases, and injuries, with the ultimate goal of advancing diagnoses, treatments, and patient outcomes.