Research on Primary Progressive MS
Why is there so little research done on Primary Progressive MS? I have often thought that Primary Progressive MS may even be a different disease than Lapsing-Remitting MS. Is the reason for so little research done on Primary Progressive MS because it is a more difficult problem to gain success? So most funders and researchers gravitate to the problem that seems easier to solve? My late wife took every available drug none of which provided any help. None stopped or slowed down the progression. I believe that is because all of the drugs were designed for Lapsing/Remitting. I would appreciate it if someone could fairly explain to me why this is so.
Comments
Mr. Hodas,
Thanks for initiating this discussion. I think you ask an important question, and I look forward to hearing what others have to say.
One reason that PPMS hasn't been studied as extensively as RRMS is that it affects far fewer people.
But recently a great deal of emphasis has been placed on both PPMS and secondary progressive MS (SPMS). There's a new International Progressive MS Alliance that's providing research funding and stimulating new ideas. You can read our article on the alliance here.
MSDF has also received a generous grant from the National MS Society to fund enhanced coverage of research on progressive MS. Please use the search field in the upper right hand corner of every MSDF page to search for progressive MS, and you'll find literally dozens of articles we've published on research on PPMS and SPMS.