The Esclerosis Múltiple España (EME) association has awarded a grant to fund research on Multiple Sclerosis to be carried out by the Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI) and the Dr. Josep Trueta Hospital in Girona and Santa Caterina Hospital in Salt. The project is focused on finding new biomarkers in blood to help predict the progression of cognitive impairment in patients with this neurodegenerative disease.
One of the main challenges in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis is the early detection of cognitive impairment, since this is linked to physical disability and disease progression. Detection usually occurs at an advanced stage of the disease, which hinders the application of effective treatments. The research project, which has received a boost from the EME association with a grant of 25,000 euros, seeks to change this situation and enable detection of cognitive impairment in the early stages of the disease, which would improve the care and treatment of affected patients.
To do so, the research team, led by Dr. Lluís Ramió i Torrentà, head of the Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation research group at IDIBGI, and head of the Neurology Service of the Trueta and Santa Caterina Hospitals, and by Dr. Ana Quiroga, researcher of the same group, will perform a long-term follow-up of patients with Multiple Sclerosis over a period of 10 years. Through the analysis of blood samples, the team wants to identify biomarkers that allow the detection of cognitive impairment in the earliest stages of the disease.
"Our work aims to improve the quality of life of people with multiple sclerosis. Early detection will allow us to apply more specific treatments and thus move towards more personalized and effective care for people facing the challenges of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis," explains Dr. Ramió.
About IDIBGI
IDIBGI is a biomedical research institute that is part of the CERCA system of the Generalitat de Catalunya, dedicated to translational, clinical and epidemiological research aimed at improving the health and care of people. The Institute is made up of 22 research groups that conduct research in six health areas: cardiovascular and respiratory, oncohematology, metabolism and inflammation, neurosciences, mental health and medical imaging. Currently, in addition to having its own research staff, the IDIBGI manages the research carried out by health professionals from the Dr. Josep Trueta and Santa Caterina Hospitals, the Catalan Health Institute (ICS) in Girona, the Institute of Health Care (IAS), the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) in Girona, and the Institute of Diagnostic Imaging (IDI).
