COMPREHENSIVE MS CENTER PROJECT OVERVIEW

Against the background of exponential improvements in medical knowledge and skills, Multiple Sclerosis afflicts one person in a thousand, and the number is growing – either due to better diagnosis or to a higher rate of incidence. Although there are several types, the symptoms are common among them all, are severely debilitating, and cause suffering in many forms over a prolonged period of time. The prevalence of the disease, and its impact on the population as a whole, makes assistance for the affected population imperative.

The MS Centers of Florida Foundation (MSCFF) remarkably originated as a joint initiative between an MS patient and a neurologist, the goal being to enhance the quality of life for those afflicted with the disease – psychologically, socially, medically, and financially. The organization is also committed to supporting and assisting research in the search for mitigation and a cure. Though a relatively new organization, MSCFF has assisted hundreds of persons and families in Florida, and importantly has identified ways in which additional assistance can be effectively rendered.

Over the next five years, MSCFF plans to establish a comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Center (MSC) on the campus of Mercy Hospital. The Center will include The Florida Neuroimaging Analysis Center (FNAC) which would acquire, house, and operate a 3Tesla MRI research magnet, the most advanced such instrument available currently in the world, doing so under the direction of Dr. Robert Zivadinov, one of the top internationally-recognized MRI research scientists. The center will serve as a tertiary referral center for Florida, the Caribbean, Central and South America. Additionally, MSCFF is working toward becoming a major regional patient resource center by using the knowledge and experience gained to date to enhance and expand services offered as well as the geographic area in which those services are made available.

The MS Center and MRI Research facility will be affiliated with the FIU College of Medicine, as well as with Mercy Hospital. There are currently no comprehensive MS Centers in the State of Florida, the closest such facility being located presently in Atlanta, Georgia. MSC will provide a full range of clinical services to all MS patients including evaluation and management, infusions, rehabilitation, MRI scanning and analysis, and clinical research trials, as well as retail pharmacy.

The FNC will provide state-of-the-art MRI images, surpassing in quality images currently available anywhere for management of MS patients. Further, FNAC will be engaged in world class MRI research primarily for multiple sclerosis, and eventually involving other areas of neuroscience, such as movement and memory disorders.

MSC would represent the first clinical platform to be affiliated with the FIU College of Medicine Department of Neurology. The operational entity will be MSCFF, a federally certified 501(c)(3) corporation, which will own and administer both the clinic and the MRI research facility.

In addition to building on previously-successful educational and social service programs for the MS community, both locally and regionally, MSCFF will directly contribute in a significant manner to the development of the FIU College of Medicine Department of Neurology’s academic mission. Given the scope of the clinical facility, MSC would naturally become a national site for clinical research trials in addition to the basic and clinical research that would be conducted at the FNAC.

This initiative represents an extraordinary alignment of complimentary resources that presently allows for the development a comprehensive treatment and research center at in Miami. The project is strongly supported by the FIU College of Medicine, as well as by Mercy Hospital.

The expected benefits for the public – both those afflicted with MS and other portions of the population - are manifest. Activities planned and underway will address many concerns and challenges of the MS population, will facilitate treatment and research, and will save substantial public resources in the process.

• What Is MS?

• What Causes MS?

• What Are The Treatment Options?

• What Are The Symptoms Of MS?

• How Does MS Progress?

• How Is MS Diagnosed?

• Talking To Children About MS

• Children With MS

• A Brief History Of MS

• Common Terms Associated With Multiple Sclerosis

What Is MS?
MS (Multiple Sclerosis) is a chronic (continuing) disease. For years it was believed MS affected as many as 350,000 people, but more recently it was determined the true number is closer to 2,500,000. The disease attacks the white matter (myelin) of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). The central nervous system (CNS) receives nerve impulses from all parts of the body, and then sends out the appropriate responses such as moving, talking, seeing and feeling. MS is characterized by inflammation and scarring of the myelin in the brain or spinal cord. This is called a demyelinating condition. Myelin is a tissue that insulates the nerves. It allows the nerves to transmit impulses rapidly, and acts like plastic insulation on electrical wiring. MS damages (removes) myelin leaving lesions or scars called sclerosis. This damage interferes with nerve signals, preventing or slowing the signals down.

The majority of MS patients are Caucasians, with women developing the disease at a rate almost double that of men. Most cases occur in North America and Europe. It is interesting to note that MS occurs most frequently in countries farther from the equator. This is true in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

Every person with MS experiences different neurological impairments at varying levels, depending on the location and extent of the damage to the myelin. Needless to say, it can make life unpredictable.