Seeking to enhance MS care
MS PATHS stands for Multiple Sclerosis Partners Advancing Technology and Health Solutions. MS PATHS uses advances in technology to generate and collect standardized patient data during routine office visits. Information gathered from patients at participating MS centers will enable research that could potentially lead to new discoveries in MS.
Our Motivation
Our Approach
Our Responsibility
Vision
The MS PATHS vision is to form a technology-enabled network of MS centers through which researchers have access to patient data generated from a broad MS population. Using these data, we hope to gain powerful insights and continuously learn more about MS. Ultimately, MS PATHS aims to better quantify the value of treatment and improve patient outcomes in MS.
Better understanding MS
Patient information currently exists in diverse forms (such as lab tests or MRIs) and may be collected in different ways by different MS centers. With such variations, it is difficult to meaningfully compare information from across the MS population and to identify underlying trends.
To help address these variations, components of MS PATHS are integrated into routine office visits at participating MS centers. Relevant patient data are generated and collected for research in an efficient and standardized way.
With the aid of new technology, MS PATHS aims to overcome the challenges of accurately and consistently monitoring subtle changes in various aspects of MS over time, providing a more holistic view of MS.
MRI protocols and sequencing are standardized within and among partici-pating MS centers This standardization can enable longitudinal comparisons and data sharing across these centers and facilitate research that could lead to the development of quantitative MRI measures of MS disease severity and activity.
As part of routine care, patients use a tablet-based device designed to objectively quantify the major motor, visual, and cognitive symptoms and quality of life outcomes associated with MS.
Aggregated information can be used for research that could potentially lead to new discoveries in MS.
Patients may be asked to contribute in other ways, such as providing blood samples for the Biobanking substudy.
Patient Privacy
MS PATHS takes patient privacy seriously. Only encoded aggregated data are shared with researchers participating in MS PATHS. This means steps have been taken to secure the data and protect patients’ identities. Data include information such as arm and hand function, vision, walking speed, and MRI.
About Us
MS PATHS is sponsored by Biogen, a leading biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for neurodegenerative and autoimmune disorders.
Participating MS centers
MS PATHS brings together MS centers with a shared commitment to enhancing care for MS patients.
Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health
Sharing Insights
Researchers participating in MS PATHS will have access to data generated electronically and collected through MS PATHS that can enable research and continuous learning. The goal is to share insights with the broader MS community as more is learned about MS.
We hope to create
• Reliable, objective, and standardized outcome measures
• Information to support MS treatment decision making and monitoring
• Evidence to one day support individualized decision making at the point of care
Scientific Output from MS PATHS
As of November 2021, researchers from MS PATHS have generated over 100 conference presentations and more than 15 manuscripts.
NETWORK-WIDE MANUSCRIPTS
Cohen et al. Immunoglobulin G immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in people living with multiple sclerosis within Multiple Sclerosis Partners Advancing Technology and Health Solutions. Mult Scler. 2022 Jan. Online ahead of print.
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Galioto R, et al. Is Obesity Related to Processing Speed Impairment in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Results of a Large-Scale, Multicenter Study. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2020 Jul 24;35(5):506-510.
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Galioto R, et al. Does obesity exacerbate brain lesion volume and atrophy in patients with multiple sclerosis? Mult Scler Relat Disord 2020 Nov;46:102502
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Mowry E et al. Harnessing Real-world Data to Inform Decision-making: Multiple Sclerosis Partners Advancing Technology and Health Solutions (MS PATHS) Front Neurol 2020.
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Rao SM et al Processing speed test: Validation of a self-administered, iPad©-based tool for screening cognitive dysfunction in a clinic setting. MSJ 2017.
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Rao SM et al Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test: Validation of Self-Administered Neuroperformance Modules. Eur J Neurol 2020.
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Rhodes JK et al Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test: Technical Development and Usability. Adv Ther 2019.
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Shirani A et al on behalf of the Multiple Sclerosis Partners Advancing Technology and Health Solutions Investigators. The association between handedness and clinicodemographic characteristics in people with multiple sclerosis: a brief report. Mult Scler J Exp Trans Clin 2019.
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Wang J et al Socioeconomic status and race are correlated with affective symptoms in multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders 2020.
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SITE-SPECIFIC MANUSCRIPTS
Fitzgerald K et al Validation of the SymptoMScreen with performance-based or clinician-assessed outcomes. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. 2019
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Macaron G et al Cognitive processing speed in multiple sclerosis clinical practice: association with patient- reported outcomes, employment, and MRI metrics. Eur J Neurology 2020.
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Macaron G et al Technology-enabled assessments to enhance multiple sclerosis clinical care and research. Neurology Clinical Practice 2019.
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Moss B, et al. Multiple sclerosis management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mult Scler. 2020 Sep;26(10):1163-1171.
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