AIIMS multiple sclerosis research awaits funding nod from govt

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has proposed to conduct an advance stem cell research for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic auto-immune disease which attacks the central nervous system.
"We have to conduct an advance stem cell research for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) using either autologus hematopoetic stem cell transplantation or mesenchymal stem cell therapy. The proposal is awaiting funding approval from government Research agents," said Dr Kameshwar Prasad, professor and head of neurology at AIIMS.
According to Dr Prasad, stem cell therapy being administered to treat MS is still under research and as of now there are no stem cell therapies licensed for MS anywhere in the world which means they are not yet established as being both safe and effective.

Dr Rohit Bhatia Professor at Department of Neurology at AIIMS said they are keen to set up a nationwide Registry for patients suffering from MS to understand the demographic and clinial profile and risk factors involved in view of the percieved increased incidence and prevalence in India.
The proposal will be soon submitted to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said Dr Bhatia.
A recently published AIIMS study involving 101 patients at the hospital between 2011-2012, found that 68 per cent of them suffered from relapsing remitting MS, while rest of the cases being progressive in nature.
"The mean age of patients at the time of presentation ranged from 20-35 years and the duration of illness was between one to ten years.

"68 per cent of them suffered from relapsing remitting MS, a condition where they get intermittent attacks of worsening neurologic function followed by improvement," said Dr Bhatia.