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Federal Funds Earmarked for Multiple Sclerosis Research Consortium

President Lester A. Lefton visits with U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine and researchers at the Oak Clinic following DeWine's announcement of an approved federal appropriations bill for the Oak Clinic/Kent State University Consortium for Multiple Sclerosis and Neurodegenerative Disease Research.

On July 21, U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine announced that $475,000 had been earmarked in a recently approved federal appropriations bill for the Oak Clinic/Kent State University Consortium for Multiple Sclerosis and Neurodegenerative Disease Research.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, potentially disabling disease that affects the central nervous system and typically strikes individuals during their early adult years. The disease can be especially devastating due to the profound disability associated with its progression and its economic impact, since MS persists through what is often a normal lifespan.

For reasons unknown, Northeast Ohio residents are even more likely than those in other regions of Ohio to have, or know someone who has, MS.

The Oak Clinic/Kent State collaboration engages an interdisciplinary research group from both organizations in investigating the causes and treatments of MS using advanced molecular techniques and three-dimensional imaging.

To learn more about the Oak Clinic/Kent State research partnership, visit the School of Biomedical Sciences: Research Collaboration in Multiple Sclerosis Web site and read “Disabling Disease” from Kent State Magazine.

You can also watch the video exclusive “New Partnership Targets MS,” which features Dr. James Blank , Kent State chair of biological sciences, and Dr. Ernest Freeman , head of basic research at the Oak Clinic and research assistant professor at Kent State, discussing the new consortium that is looking for new ways to diagnose, treat and eventually cure multiple sclerosis.

Get more information about the clinic on the Oak Clinic Web site.