Not even a decade ago, a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis felt like the end of the world for many. Fast-forward to present day: MultiCare\u2019s neuroscience and research teams are encouraged by how far treatment has come \u2014 and say that momentum is only growing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a serious diagnosis,\u201d says\u00a0Kathleen Munger, MD, MSCI<\/a>,\u00a0MultiCare Neuroscience Institute \u2014 Tacoma<\/a>. \u201cBut there\u2019s a lot of hope and expediency happening. I don\u2019t expect our progress to slow down anytime soon.\u201d<\/p>\n What does need catching up, though, is public understanding of MS.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an invisible disease for most people,\u201d Dr. Munger says. \u201cWhen it does become visible, such as requiring a wheelchair, that\u2019s what most people assume it always is.\u201d<\/p>\n For MS Awareness Month, Dr. Munger and Tonya Stigger, clinical research coordinator for\u00a0the MultiCare Neuroscience Institute,* are sharing their expertise and celebrating how far we\u2019ve come in caring for those with MS.<\/p>\n MS is an autoimmune disease in which a person\u2019s immune system attacks the body, specifically the myelin coating of the central nervous system, brain and optic nerves. These attacks cause spots of inflammation, which can be seen on MRI scans, and range between 1 millimeter to 4 centimeters in length. They often leave a scar or lesion in that area.<\/p>\n The primary types of MS include relapsing MS (RMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS) or primary progressive MS (PPMS).<\/p>\n \u201cFor most patients, it\u2019s a relapsing disease where they start to feel mostly better and then it comes again,\u201d explains Dr. Munger, a board-certified neurologist who specializes in neuroimmunology.<\/p>\n In cases of SPMS, neurologic function and disability worsen progressively after an initial RMS period. Those with PPMS experience a worsening of neurologic function and disability as soon as symptoms appear (whether slow or fast), without periods of remission. Only about 15 percent of MS patients are diagnosed with PPMS, Dr. Munger says.<\/p>\n Many factors play into how MS will affect a patient, but lesions can be one indicator.<\/p>\n \u201cSome people have two lesions while others have too many to count,\u201d Dr. Munger says. \u201cMore than 10 at diagnosis suggests they may have a more aggressive disease course.\u201d<\/p>\n The most common symptoms include:<\/p>\n Patients with SPMS and PPMS are more likely to experience worsening of symptoms to extreme levels, such as complete loss of mobility.<\/p>\n MultiCare researcher Stigger points out symptoms aren\u2019t always visible or may occur infrequently, which can lead to a delay in seeking a cause. Dr. Munger adds there can be side effects from treatment, as well as other prolonged health conditions resulting from the symptoms of MS.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why Stigger emphasizes the importance of participation in registry trials, which use surveys to better understand how patients respond to treatments after they\u2019re commercially available. Responses allow them to identify trends, good or bad, that may change how medications are managed.<\/p>\n MS impacts approximately two in 1,000 people in the United States. Of those, women are diagnosed at a rate of three to one compared to men, and most often diagnosed between the ages of 20-40.<\/p>\n While data shows individuals of Northern European descent are at a higher risk of MS, Dr. Munger says it\u2019s important to note that race and ethnicity data is skewed due to a history of health inequality and racism in research and medicine.<\/p>\n The cause of MS remains unclear, but there are some identifiable risk factors:<\/p>\n While there is more to learn, Dr. Munger and Stigger say we now have a much better grasp on the disease than even 10 years ago.<\/p>\n It was only the early 1990s that the first MS disease-modifying treatment was approved, Dr. Munger says. The at-home injectable only modestly reduced the rate of MS relapses, but set researchers up for important advancements.<\/p>\n Since then, treatment options have expanded to include injectables, intravenous infusions and several oral medications. Stigger adds that as research variety and availability expand, so will treatment options.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the great advances we have made was the approval of Ocrevus for relapsing and progressive forms of MS,\u201d she says. \u201cUp until that point we didn\u2019t have a go-to option for PPMS. That was monumental.\u201d<\/p>\n Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n MultiCare has\u00a0numerous research initiatives MS patients may qualify for<\/a>, ranging from registry to phase 4 drug trials.<\/p>\n The benefits to participating are tremendous, Stigger says. Some people\u2019s insurance may not cover a desired treatment, but many research sponsors cover the cost of travel, labs, imaging and visits for patients. For others, it\u2019s empowering to be part of the future of MS care and to take ownership in their care.<\/p>\n \u201cParticipating in a clinical trial is unknown territory for many people,\u201d she says. \u201cWhich may deter someone from participating.\u201d<\/p>\n The MultiCare research team follows strict guidelines and protocols to ensure patient safety is always paramount, Stigger says. Participants have a dedicated research team, as well as a social worker, to provide quick access to their provider or discuss any changes or concerns.<\/p>\n \u201cThe goal is to treat not only the disease but the whole person,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n The reality of MS care is that sometimes therapies stop working, Stigger says. That\u2019s why clinical research is so important \u2014 it helps in developing new therapies and providing more care options.<\/p>\n If you have questions about MS, speak with your primary care provider or visit one of the resources below. If you are an MS patient with questions about research participation,\u00a0visit ClinicalTrials.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n *The MultiCare Institute for Research & Innovation closed in November 2025. However, MultiCare continues to conduct research at\u00a0<\/em>Pulse Heart Institute<\/em><\/a>,\u00a0<\/em>MultiCare Cancer Institute<\/em><\/a>,\u00a0<\/em>MultiCare Mary Bridge Children\u2019s<\/em><\/a> and MultiCare Neuroscience Institute<\/a>, among other areas within our organization. To learn more about clinical trial opportunities, talk to your provider or visit\u00a0<\/em>ClinicalTrials.gov<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Not even a decade ago, a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis felt like the end of the world for many. Fast-forward to present day: MultiCare\u2019s neuroscience and research teams are encouraged by how far treatment has come \u2014 and say that momentum is only growing. \u201cIt\u2019s a serious diagnosis,\u201d says\u00a0Kathleen Munger, MD, MSCI,\u00a0MultiCare Neuroscience Institute \u2014 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":115,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[127,99,103,107],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25435","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-healthy-living","category-primary-care","category-research","category-stroke-neuro"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat is MS?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Every patient is different<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Known risk factors<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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We\u2019re making progress<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Know your research options<\/strong><\/h2>\n