The ECTRIMS Podcast

The ECTRIMS Podcast is a sounding board for MS experts & advocates to discuss innovative work in MS research, treatment and care with the greater MS research community, while offering a collaborative platform for MS and healthcare experts to promote & nurture the advancement of research.

How Technology Is Transforming Multiple Sclerosis Care 08/12/2026

Should High-Risk Populations Be Screened for Multiple Sclerosis? 07/30/2026

Should High-Risk Populations Be Screened for Multiple Sclerosis? Could multiple sclerosis one day be detected before symptoms appear? And if so, should we be actively screening people who are at higher risk? In this episode of the ECTRIMS–MS Journal collaboration series, host Prof. Anneke van der Walt, Controversies Editor at the Multiple Sclerosis Journal, is joined by Prof. Helen Tremlett (University of British Columbia) and Prof. Ruth Ann Marrie (Dalhousie University) to debate one of the most important emerging questions in MS research. Helen argues that targeted screening should begin now—but only within carefully designed research studies—to better understand how MS develops before clinical symptoms appear. Ruth Ann argues that while prevention is the ultimate goal, the science, ethics and healthcare systems are not yet ready for widespread screening. Together they discuss: · Whether MS is entering a new era of prevention research · What lessons can be learned from Parkinson's disease and radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) · The ethical and psychological impact of identifying people at risk before symptoms develop · How screening programmes could improve—or worsen—health inequalities · What research is still needed before screening could ever become part of routine clinical practice Although they argue opposing positions, both experts agree on one important point: preventing MS is an achievable ambition—but only if research proceeds carefully, ethically and equitably. This MS Journal Controversies article series has been made open access for the next month for ease of reading. Note: This episode is part of the MS Journal Controversies in MS series, where experts debate opposing viewpoints on important unresolved questions in MS research. The positions argued do not necessarily represent the authors' personal opinions, but rather present the strongest evidence supporting each side of the debate. /episode/index/show/191457e9-5e84-4e71-ba90-6e71bc290808/id/41723165

How Geography, Healthcare Systems and Access Shape the Multiple Sclerosis Journey 07/16/2026

MS Research Briefs: MRI Biomarkers, Machine Learning and the Future of MS Diagnosis 07/02/2026

MS Research Briefs: MRI Biomarkers, Machine Learning and the Future of MS Diagnosis Welcome to MS Research Briefs, a new ECTRIMS podcast series delivering an expert guided tour of important new studies in multiple sclerosis research. In each episode, leading MS experts will take a small number of recently published studies and go beyond the headline findings – exploring what the research shows and how it may influence clinical practice and future discovery. In this inaugural episode, Prof. Alan Thompson and Prof. Olga Ciccarelli discuss two studies exploring how advanced MRI biomarkers and machine learning may transform the diagnosis and prognosis of multiple sclerosis. Featured Publications Paramagnetic Rim Lesions and Development of Clinical MS in Radiologically Isolated Syndrome. Machine learning-based combination of the central vein sign, cortical lesions and paramagnetic rim lesions: a web-based tool for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Discussed in this episode Can paramagnetic rim lesions identify individuals with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) who are most likely to develop clinical MS? Why do paramagnetic rim lesions appear to be stronger prognostic biomarkers while the central vein sign remains a powerful diagnostic biomarker? Can machine learning models combining MRI biomarkers outperform traditional dissemination-in-space criteria? What role might advanced MRI biomarkers play in future diagnostic criteria and treatment decisions? How close are we to AI-supported diagnosis and automated biomarker detection in routine clinical practice? As advanced MRI biomarkers move from research tools towards clinically meaningful decision-making, this episode explores one of the most important developments in contemporary MS research. -------------------------------- This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content. /episode/index/show/191457e9-5e84-4e71-ba90-6e71bc290808/id/41720895

Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis: Separating Evidence from Expectation 06/18/2026

Can the revised 2024 McDonald Diagnostic criteria solve the misdiagnosis problem in multiple sclerosis? 06/03/2026

EBV and Multiple Sclerosis: Could Infection Hold the Key to MS? 05/15/2026

Fenebrutinib in Relapsing MS: FENhance Trial Results Explained 04/22/2026

How MRI and OCT are Changing Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment 04/08/2026

Does the Label Given to My MS Disease Course Matter? 03/19/2026

Does the Label Given to My MS Disease Course Matter? How much do the labels used to describe multiple sclerosis actually reflect the lived experience of people affected by the disease? In this first episode of the new ECTRIMS–MS Journal collaboration series, host Dr. Anneke van der Walt, Controversies Editor at the Multiple Sclerosis Journal, speaks with Jon Strum, MS caregiver and host of the RealTalk MS podcast, and Kathryn Smith, patient advocate and volunteer with the National MS Society, and person living with MS. Together they explore a deceptively simple question: does the label given to an MS disease course actually matter? Jon argues that disease labels shape perception, communication and expectations for people living with MS and their families. Kathryn explains why those same labels increasingly fail to capture the day-to-day reality of living with the disease. They discuss: Why traditional MS disease course labels can feel disconnected from lived experience The emotional and practical impact of terms such as relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive The concept of PIRA (progression independent of relapse activity) and what it reveals about MS progression Why functional outcomes and patient experience should play a greater role in how MS is described The importance of patient voice in research, clinical conversations and scientific publishing Although they begin from opposing viewpoints, Jon and Kathryn ultimately arrive at a shared conclusion: the MS community may need a new language — one that better reflects biology, individual experience and the realities of living with the disease. Note: This episode is part of the MS Journal Controversies in MS series, specifically its new Controversies: Patient Voice section – a dedicated space highlighting the lived experiences of people affected by MS. Please see the following articles for more information: /episode/index/show/191457e9-5e84-4e71-ba90-6e71bc290808/id/40525580