Improving MS clinical care using MRI

Dr Ai-Lan Nguyen

University of Melbourne, VIC

| Better treatments | Neurobiology | Travel Award | 2019 | Investigator Led Research |
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Summary

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of MS. Being the only way to locate and identify MS lesions in the brain, and for monitoring long term disease activity and progression, MRI is a truly powerful technique. However, its potential may not be fully realised, and further research and development is necessary to improve disease monitoring.

The Clinical Outcomes Research (CORe) Unit at the University of Melbourne has established a number of strategic partnerships with Universities globally. This travel grant will enable CORe to establish a student exchange program with the University of Genoa, where there is strong expertise in MS clinical trials, focusing on MRIs.

Dr Ai-Lan Nguyen will travel to Genoa to study the differences in the ways that radiologists take images with MRI machines so that she can then develop a uniform way to analyse MRIs in MS regardless of where they were taken. It is expected that two PhD projects will then arise out of this study.

This collaboration will help improve the use of imaging in clinical trials and to inform patient decision making and improve clinical care for MS. It will also provide Dr Nguyen with additional skills to mentor future medical doctors and researchers under her supervision.

Updated: 23 January 2019

Updated: 01 January, 2019

Stages of the research process

Fundamental laboratory
Research

Laboratory research that investigates scientific theories behind the possible causes, disease progression, ways to diagnose and better treat MS.

Lab to clinic timeline: 10+ years
Translational
Research

Research that builds on fundamental scientific research to develop new therapies, medical procedures or diagnostics and advances it closer to the clinic.

Lab to clinic timeline: 5+ years
Clinical Studies
and Clinical Trials

Clinical research is the culmination of fundamental and translational research turning those research discoveries into treatments and interventions for people with MS.

Lab to clinic timeline: 1-5 years

Investigator

Grant Awarded

  • Ian Ballard Travel Award

Total Funding

  • $12,500.00

Duration

  • 1 year

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Improving MS clinical care using MRI