Champion chapters rise to a challenge. (National MS Society News).In 1998, the Society's National Board of Directors asked the Research Programs Advisory Committee to identify areas of MS research that merited more attention from the scientific community. The committee pinpointed 4 areas: gender differences, genetics genetics, scientific study of the mechanism of heredity. While Gregor Mendel first presented his findings on the statistical laws governing the transmission of certain traits from generation to generation in 1856, it was not until the discovery and detailed study of , the nature of MS brain lesions (or areas of damage in the central nervous system), and long-term Long-term Three or more years. In the context of accounting, more than 1 year. long-term 1. Of or relating to a gain or loss in the value of a security that has been held over a specific length of time. Compare short-term. , or "longitudinal lon·gi·tu·di·nal adj. Running in the direction of the long axis of the body or any of its parts. ", information. To get action on these research areas as quickly as possible, the Society challenged its chapters to a champion effort: Raise an additional $20 million over the next 5 years to stimulate and support new studies in the currently targeted areas. The targets to date The Initiative on Gender Differences in MS is now supporting 15 projects examining what the biological differences between the sexes can reveal about the cause and course of MS. Seven projects under the Initiative on Genetics of MS are puzzling puz·zle v. puz·zled, puz·zling, puz·zles v.tr. 1. To baffle or confuse mentally by presenting or being a difficult problem or matter. 2. out the genetic components of this disease. The Sonya Slifka Longitudinal MS Study, now underway, is the first in-depth effort to gather comprehensive information on people with MS over a lifetime. The MS Lesion LESION, contracts. In the civil law this term is used to signify the injury suffered, in consequence of inequality of situation, by one who does not receive a full equivalent for what he gives in a commutative contract. 2. Project has begun correlating MRI 1. (application) MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 2. MRI - Measurement Requirements and Interface. data with findings from tissue studies to obtain a fuller understanding of the different patterns and courses of MS. The challenge to date The issue of gender differences prompted the Rauh family of Cincinnati to give $1 million for research in this area. This spurred the drive. By January 2001, over $16.1 million of the $20 million goal had been committed by chapters and individuals, with 14 chapters pledging to contribute $1 million or more specifically for targeted research. This commitment is in addition to their existing support of MS research. More chapter champions are making plans to join in this extraordinary effort. |
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