A need for national registries and international collaborative research in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

There is a growing need to identify biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment in multiple sclerosis (MS). Such markers may also be involved in the cause and pathogenesis of the disease. Established national MS registries have through several decades allowed data collection to facilitate MS research. The European MS Registry (EUReMS) is a recent international collaborative effort to ultimately promote MS research and quality in health care across European countries. International collaborations based on such initiatives can facilitate studies on new biomarkers in MS. Important studies on data from MS registries, as well as national- and international collaboration networks have been conducted. The symposium "National MS Registries--to improve health care and research in Multiple Sclerosis" held in Bergen, Norway, earlier this year aimed to highlight the need and benefit from national MS registries and promote international collaborative research in MS.