The ECTRIMS Podcast

Can growing amounts of real-world MS data help clinicians predict disease progression and make more personalised treatment decisions?

In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Dr. Will Brown from Cambridge University and Dr. Carmen Tur from CEMCAT about the rapidly evolving field of predictive modelling in multiple sclerosis.

They explore why MS is particularly difficult to predict, from its biological and clinical heterogeneity to the lack of sufficiently sensitive, specific and widely available biomarkers. They also discuss how increasingly rich, long-term datasets are allowing researchers to study disease outcomes, treatment journeys and populations traditionally underrepresented in clinical trials.

The conversation examines the methodological challenges that come with real-world data, including missing data, non-random treatment allocation, clinical outcome selection and bias, as well as the opportunities and limitations of AI and machine learning.

Finally, they ask what must happen before predictive models can enter routine clinical care — including robust external validation, calibration, interpretability, equitable representation and evidence that using these tools actually improves clinical decisions and long-term patient outcomes.

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This 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.

Technology is opening new possibilities for how multiple sclerosis is monitored, treated and managed.

In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Prof. Ellen Mowry of Johns Hopkins University and Prof. Letizia Leocani of Vita-Salute San Raffaele University about how innovative medical technologies could transform MS research and clinical care.

Together, they explore:

• How artifical intelligence, wearable devices and digital biomarkers could help monitor MS progression
• The potential to capture fatigue, cognition, pain, mood, sleep and other symptoms between clinical visits
• How passive monitoring could provide a more complete picture of everyday life with MS
• The growing role of virtual rehabilitation, digital therapies and other technologies in bringing care into people's homes
• Why digital biomarkers require rigorous research and validation before being used in clinical trials

From earlier detection of disability progression to more accessible rehabilitation and personalised symptom management, this episode examines both the opportunities and challenges of using technology to improve MS care.

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This 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.

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.

• "Yes" – High-risk populations should be screened for MS
• "No" – High-risk populations should not yet be screened for MS
• "Commentary" – High-risk populations should not yet be screened for MS

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.

Where someone lives can profoundly influence their multiple sclerosis journey.

While advances in diagnosis and treatment have transformed MS care in many parts of the world, millions of people still face significant barriers to diagnosis, specialist care and life-changing therapies.

In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Dr. Fiifi Duodu and Prof. Alfredo Damasceno about the realities of managing MS patients in diverse healthcare settings and what can be done to improve equity worldwide.

Together, they discuss:

🔹 Why MS diagnosis can take years in some regions, and how the revised 2024 McDonald Criteria are influencing earlier MS diagnosis

🔹 The impact of limited access to neurologists and MRI

🔹 Barriers to disease-modifying therapies and anti-CD20 treatments

🔹 The role of regional initiatives such as AFRICTRIMS and BCTRIMS

🔹 Why greater diversity in MS clinical trials matters

This episode highlights both the challenges and the remarkable progress being made to improve MS care across the globe.

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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.

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.

• Paramagnetic Rim Lesions and Development of Clinical MS in Radiologically Isolated Syndrome.JAMA Neurology. 2026;83(3):250–258.
• 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.Brain Communications. 2026;8(2):fcag079.

• 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.

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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.

Vitamin D and multiple sclerosis have been linked for decades, but how strong is the evidence – and what does it mean for clinical practice?

In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Prof. Eric Thouvenot from University Hospital of Nimes and Dr. Deborah Mason from Christchurch Hospital about the evolving science behind vitamin D and MS.

Together, they explore:

• Why vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased MS risk
• The influence of latitude, sunlight exposure and genetics
• How vitamin D affects immune regulation and inflammation
• Findings from recent vitamin D supplementation trials

As researchers continue to investigate vitamin D's role in MS, this episode provides a balanced look at what we know, what remains uncertain, and what it means for patient care.

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This ECTRIMS podcast episode is supported by an educational grant from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb, Roche, Sanofi, and UCB. Educational grant providers have no input into the podcast series content.

In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, recorded in collaboration with the Multiple Sclerosis Journal "Controversies in MS" series, host Prof. Anneke van der Walt moderates a discussion between Prof. Andy Solomon and Prof. Enrique Gómez on one of the most debated developments in modern multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

Together, they explore:

• Why misdiagnosis remains a major challenge in MS care • The role of the central vein sign (CVS) and paramagnetic rim lesions (PRLs) in improving specificity • Whether expanding diagnostic sensitivity may increase false positives • The practical realities of implementing advanced MRI biomarkers globally • The importance of radiology training, implementation science, and AI-assisted imaging • How clinicians should approach MRI interpretation in real-world practice

This conversation examines the balance between earlier diagnosis, diagnostic accuracy, and equitable implementation of emerging diagnostic tools across different healthcare settings.

This episode is part of the MS Journal Controversies in MS series on The revised 2024 McDonald criteria can solve the misdiagnosis problem in MS. The accompanying Yes, No, and Commentary articles are available to read open access for the next month, compliments of MS Journal.

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) has become one of the most intensely studied topics in multiple sclerosis research. But how strong is the evidence linking EBV to MS, and could targeting the virus change the future of treatment and prevention?

In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Prof. Gavin Giovannoni and Prof. Tomas Olsson about the evolving science connecting infections, immunity and multiple sclerosis.

Together, they explore:

• Molecular mimicry and how EBV proteins may trigger autoimmune responses
• Whether EBV contributes to chronic CNS inflammation and disease progression
• Emerging therapeutic approaches including antivirals, CAR-T cells, and vaccines

This conversation examines one of the most important scientific questions in MS research and the therapeutic possibilities that may emerge from it.

New Phase 3 data presented at the AAN conference 2026 provide compelling evidence that fenebrutinib may represent a high-efficacy oral treatment option for people living with relapsing multiple sclerosis.

In this exclusive episode, leading experts Prof. Ludwig Kappos from University of Basel and Dr. Jiwon Oh from Barlo MS Centre join host Brett Drummond to unpack the full FENhance 1 & 2 trial results.

Together, they explore:

• How fenebrutinib performed against teriflunomide in relapsing MS
• Why BTK inhibition continues to generate strong interest across the MS treatment landscape
• What the results reveal about relapse reduction, MRI outcomes, and disability progression
• What the safety profile of fenebrutinib looked like in this cohort of patients

Listen for a deep dive into the science, clinical context, and future implications for MS care.

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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.

Imaging techniques in multiple sclerosis are evolving rapidly, with MRI and emerging biomarkers playing a central role in diagnosis, prognosis and disease monitoring.

In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, neurologist Gabriel Bsteh and host Brett Drummond explore how MRI, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and imaging biomarkers are reshaping the way clinicians diagnose and manage MS.

They discuss the 2024 updates to the McDonald diagnostic criteria, including the introduction of the central vein sign (CVS), paramagnetic rim lesions (PRL), and the inclusion of the optic nerve.

The episode also examines how imaging biomarkers may be used to:

• Predict disease progression
• Provide prognostic information at diagnosis
• Monitor neuro-axonal damage over time
• Support treatment decisions and personalised medicine

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in multiple sclerosis, MRI, OCT, biomarkers, and advances in MS research and care.

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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.