The latest segment in Medpage Today's Clinical Context series features a conversation with Stanford researcher Lawrence Steinman, MD, about how basic science is improving researchers' understanding of multiple sclerosis (MS) and could lead to more targeted treatments.
Steinman’s research focuses on the immunological mechanisms of relapse and remission in MS, the identification and characterization of genes that regulate inflammation in the brain and the development of novel therapies that modulate the immune system. Last year, he received the 2011 Multiple Sclerosis International Federation Charcot Award, which recognizes a lifetime achievement in research into the understanding or treatment of MS.
In the online piece and video above, Steinman comments on the female predominance of the disease, the explosion of new therapies for MS and the way emerging research can help physicians choose among the treatments.
Previously: Multiple sclerosis patient shares her story, Tool could help predict onset of disability for patients with progressive MS and Lifetime cost of multiple sclerosis: $1.2 million per patient