Natioml

Multiple Sclerosis
Society
Ohio Buckeye
Chapter

Contact
Guyla Wehman
216-503-4167 (office)
330-328-8600 (cell)
guyla.wehman@nmss. org

Cleveland Clinic Selected to Join Research Network Focusing on Pediatric MS

National MS Society Expands its Nationwide Networkto l2 Research Centers
Cleveland
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recently committed new funding to expand the
Network of Pediatric MS Centers (NPMSC)to tZ nationwide, and the Cleveland Clinic was selected to
be a participating center. Expanding this research network will enhance the ability to understand
childhood multiple sclerosis and its treatment and to unlock the mysteries of MS in adults.

The Cleveland Clinic Pediatric MS Center is a collaboration between the Mellen Center for MS
Treatment and Research and the Center for Pediatric Neurology, whose Pediatric MS program has
been actively evaluating and managing children with MS since 2006.The effort is led jointly by Mary
Rensel, MD, staff neurologist in the Mellen Center, and Manikum Moodley, MD, staff pediatric
neurologist in the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital.
"Being part of this network, will allow us to build upon our existing collaborative research and connect
with other specialists across the country," said Mary Rensel, MD, Mellen Center at Cleveland Clinic.
"Being a member of the NPMSC will enhance our knowledge about pediatric MS and will provide
additional research opportunities for this rare diagnosis. The NPMSC is a strong fit with the Cleveland
Clinic's emphasis on patient-focused care and research." Drs. Moodley and Rensel are excited about
this opportunity to work in a collaborative role, enabling thern to provide multidisciplinary state of the
art care for all children with multiple sclerosis.
The NPMSC was launched with Society funding in 2006 to set the standard for pediatric MS care,
educate the medical community about this underserved population, and conduct critical research. This
initiative laid the groundwork for current studies by the NPMSC to measure clinical and cognitive
manifestations of early-onset MS, and track environmental and genetic triggering. In contrast to adult
MS, pediatric MS appears to have a niurower window of onset with more rapid and pervasive
cognitive slmrptoms, which need to be better understood if effective treatments are to be provided.

"The Network of Pediatric MS Centers is a strategic investment that will help us achierre our most
important goal
a world free of multiple sclerosis," said Janet Kramer, President of the Society's
Ohio Buckeye Chapter. "The network will continue to systematically expand to enhance research
efforts."

Pediatric MS patients see more relapses as compared with adult patients and they have cumulative
disability at a younger age. The clinical profde of MS appears similar to that seen in adults, several
features may differ and specific issues arise in children.

Cleveland Clinic's Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis offers state-of-the-art resources to provide the
most advanced specialized care, supported by an extensive program of research and education. The
center is one of the largest and most comprehensive programs for MS care and research worldwide.
Basic and clinical research conducted at Cleveland Clinic sheds new light on MS every year.
For more information about multiple sclerosis, please call I-800 FIGHT MS (344-4867) or visit
www. M Sohiobuckeye. org.

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, intemrpts
the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms range from
numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS
in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer
to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least
two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. Although MS occurs most
commonly in adults, it is also diagnosed in children and adolescents. Estimates suggest that 8,00010,000 children (up to 18 years old) in the US have MS, and another 10,000-15,000 have experienced
at least one symptom suggestive of MS. Studies suggest that two to five percent of all people with MS
have a history of symptom onset before age 18. MS affects more than 2.3 million worldwide.
About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges
of everyone affected by MS. To fulfiIIthis mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives
change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations
around the world, and provides progftrms and services designed to help people with MS and their
families move their lives forward. In2014 alone, through our comprehensive nationwide network of
programs and services, the Society devoted 5122.2 million to assist more than one million individuals
to connect to the people, information and resources they needed. To move us closer to a world free of
MS, the Society also invested $50.2 million to support more than 380 new and ongoing research
projects around the world. The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. Learn more at
www. MSohiobuckeye. org.
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