Getting involved in research
MS is a difficult area to research for a number of key reasons:
- The cause is unknown although it is generally accepted that it is a combination of genetic, immunological and environmental factors
- The effects of the condition are within two of the most inaccessible parts of the body: the brain and the spinal cord
- There is no single pattern to the disease
- The course of the disease is unpredictable.
MS is a very variable condition, not only between different people but also for one person, from one day to the next. As a result it is difficult to scientifically compare people's experiences when researching disease patterns and the effectiveness of new treatments.