Additional funds for MS trial at Launceston General Hospital

TAURUS.2 – magneTic brAin stimUlation foR mUltiple Sclerosis – Dr Lauren Giles - $11,000

Multiple Sclerosis is the most common cause of neurological disability affecting young people in Tasmania.

Caused by inflammation and demyelination of central nervous system, MS leads to progressive neurological disability.

Whilst there are many treatments for MS, none of these repair areas of damage due to demyelination.

The TAURUS trial will assess whether magnetic stimulation improves remyelination in people with MS, with 20 sessions of magnetic brain stimulation to be performed over a one-month period.

A multi-centre trial coordinated by the University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical Research, the Clifford Craig Foundation is proudly supporting the Northern Tasmanian component of this trial with additional funding.

Led by Neurologist Dr Lauren Giles, the inclusion of the Launceston General Hospital MS clinic provides patients with MS in North and North-West Tasmania access to this exciting trial.

Additionally, participation in this trial will further enhance the growing recognition of the LGH Neurology Department as being actively involved in research activity.

Dr Giles said the research team were very grateful for the support of Senior Specialist Radiographer Joanne Brumby, who has gone “above and beyond” in learning a new MRI technique – never before used at LGH.