The ECTRIMS Podcast

The ECTRIMS Podcast is a sounding board for MS experts & advocates to discuss innovative work in MS research, treatment and care with the greater MS research community, while offering a collaborative platform for MS and healthcare experts to promote & nurture the advancement of research.

The ECTRIMS Podcast is a science podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 81 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts The ECTRIMS Podcast, a science show with 81 episodes published.

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  The ECTRIMS Podcast

  How Technology Is Transforming Multiple Sclerosis Care

  Aug 12, 202631 min

  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. --- 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.

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  The ECTRIMS Podcast

  Should High-Risk Populations Be Screened for Multiple Sclerosis?

  Jul 30, 202632 min

  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 SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT 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.

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  Episode #75

  How Geography, Healthcare Systems and Access Shape the Multiple Sclerosis Journey

  Jul 16, 202627 min

  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 D u odu 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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  Episode #74

  MS Research Briefs: MRI Biomarkers, Machine Learning and the Future of MS Diagnosis

  Jul 2, 202624 min

  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. Featured Publications 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. Discussed in this episode 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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  The ECTRIMS Podcast

  Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis: Separating Evidence from Expectation

  Jun 18, 202631 min

  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 f rom 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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