MS AUSTRALIA | ACT/NSW/VIC | QLD | SA & NT | TAS | WA | MS RESEARCH  

Latest News

MS Australia's response to the federal budget announcement

Response to federal budget

Australian first - University of Sydney Professor wins prestigious MS Award

The winner of MSIF's biennial Charcot Award is Prof John Prineas, from the University of Sydney, Australia.

Prof Prineas was selected from an outstanding field of candidates by an international panel of experts from MSIF's International Medical and Scientific Board, chaired by Professor Alan Thompson.

"The Charcot award recognises a life-time contribution to the world of MS and there could be no more deserving recipient. John Prineas has made a unique contribution to our understanding of the pathology of multiple sclerosis - over a number of decades, collaborating with colleagues on a truly global scale." Prof Alan Thompson, Chairman, MSIF International Medical and Scientific Board.

To read more about Prof Prineas and the Charcot award click here

New Case of Brain Illness in Tysabri Patient

Another Tysabri patient has contracted progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML, a recognised rare complication of Tysabri treatment.

Click here to read the full article.

2008 MSL Annual General Meeting - 14 November 2008

The MSL 2008 Annual General Meeting was held on 14 November 2008 at The Nerve Centre 54 Railway Road Blackburn Vic 3130.

Click to watch

Alemtuzumab (Campath) in the news

Recently, news of a new drug being trialled, known as Alemtuzumab or Campath, featured on various TV and Radio programs.

MS Australia welcomes any potential new drug that could give hope to people with MS. Different people respond to drugs in different ways, and this drug is still being trialled, so we have limited information on it at this stage. We look forward to the results of the trial to determine whether it can be used safely and effectively for people with MS.

For more background information on the drug and the results of overseas trials, please click on the link below:

www.nationalmssociety.org

Better Support for Carers - Federal Parliamentary Inquiry

MS Australia has made a submission to the House of Representatives inquiry into Better Support for Carers, and gave evidence at the Melbourne Hearing of the Inquiry. We highlighted the need for increased workplace flexibility for carers, improved superannuation provisions and a disability insurance scheme to fully fund disability services. Read the submission here.

Predictors of subjective fatigue in 3 samples: chronic fatigue & MS patients and university student controls
Investigators: Rhonda Brown, PhD.; Einar B. Thorsteinsson, PhD. University of New England NSW Australia

MS Australia- ACT/NSW/VIC would like to invite you to participate in an on line research project being conducted by the University of New England, NSW, Australia which aims to better understand fatigue. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between fatigue, stress, anxiety, depression, viral infection symptoms, sleep disturbance, and a number of specific stressors, unhealthy behaviours, psychosocial factors, and cognitions. Fatigue often has a physiological basis (e.g. viral infection), but previous research has shown that fatigue also has psychological aspects. This research is intended to help us better understand the way in which psychological factors impact on fatigue over a period of time. If you decide you would like to participate in the study, you will be asked to complete set of on line questionnaires three times (i.e., now, 6 months from now, and then 12 months from now).

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=sAu4Ep2exYGsdAW_2bc6UQMg_3d_3d

MS Advisory Councils Seeking Your Voice

MS Advisory Councils ensure that people with MS continue to have their voices heard within Australia's peak representative organisation.

The MS Advisory Council is an independent body representing people with MS and is a direct voice to MS Australia's Senior Management and the Board. In March 2008, the Councils began working to a new charter and have been working on a number of new initiatives including the development of operating guidelines.

We currently have Councils operating in Victoria and New South Wales with a similar group operating in the ACT. The MS Advisory Councils advise the Board and Management on a range of MS-related issues affecting people living with MS in the ACT, NSW and VIC.

The Advisory Council's are keen to hear from people who would like to contribute to any matters being discussed by the Councils. If you are interested in joining or attending a meeting as a guest please contact the Advisory Council at advisorycommittee@mssociety.com.au.

TYSABRI ALERT - from the MS Australia medical spokesperson, Dr. W. M. Carroll [1 August 2008]

This morning MSA was advised that two patients with MS, overseas, have been diagnosed with PML (progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy) while on Tysabri (Natalizumab).

Details are not complete but one patient with aggressive MS developed the condition after 17 infusions having had no other treatment. The second had previously received Azathioprine and an immunomodulatory therapy.

Both were detected by the post marketing surveillance system set up for Europe and similar to the TAPP programme in Australia. With the cessation of Tysabri treatment and the use of plasma exchange the condition has been halted and the patients are now stable.

Biogen-Idec have advised the TGA of the development and said that it highlights the need for continuing vigilance by MS practitioners and immunotherapy nurses. Further information will be posted as it becomes available.

W M CARROLL
Chair MSRA Research Management Council

If you have any concerns please contact your Neurologist.

MSL Membership - 2008/2009

Annual memberships (for the financial year 2008/2009) are now due. We cordially invite you to join Multiple Sclerosis Limited. Download the application form here.

National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission Submission & Hearings

The MSA Policy Team put in a submission to the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission on 30 May 2008, see the links below. Additionally, the Commission is holding hearings throughout Australia in June and July. If you are interested in attending and testifying at one of the hearings, please contact the policy team via Alan Blackwood. Dates for the hearings and other information about the Commission can be found on their website: www.nhhrc.org.au

MSA Submission to NHHRC: Read more 
Continuous Care Model: Read more 

Federal Parliamentary inquiry - Better Support for Carers. Submissions due 4th July

A new Inquiry has been announced by the House of Representatives Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth looking at the system of carer support in Australia. The inquiry is focusing on social and economic participation and the practical measures need to better support carers in their role. The MS Society will make a submission, however this is a great opportunity for carers and families to tell the inquiry their own ideas for improvements that come from direct experience of caring for a person with MS. Read the Inquiry Media release

We have prepared a brief guide for families wanting to make a submitting to the inquiry. Read more 

National Advocates Program

The program is part of the existing MS Australia Policy and Advocacy program, and will engage a number of volunteer advocates who live with MS in each State and Territory who will take part in the policy development, network and campaign activity of the Policy team across all levels of Government to help ensure that public policies are supportive of the needs of People with MS & their families. Read more 

MS Brain Bank - Putting the best brains to MS research

Australia's first MS Brain Bank is underway for People with MS to bequeath their tissue for MS research. The facility will coordinate the collection and use of brain and other neural tissue for MS research that will increase our understanding of the disease. The ultimate goal of MS neurobiology research is to understand the biological mechanisms causing MS to develop a cure...
Read more.

Researchers report that stopping Tysabri increased MRI-detected disease activity in some patients

MSA is awaiting confirmation of this observation at this time. If you are on Natalizumab, and it is to be ceased for a period longer than 3 months you should discuss it with you treating neurologist... Read more.