What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, typically progressive and potentially disabling disease in which the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord, which together comprise the central nervous system (CNS). The damage to the CNS changes how brain, spinal and optical nerves deliver signals and results in wide-ranging, disparate symptoms — from numbness and fatigue to blindness and cognitive impairment.
MS is considered to be both an autoimmune (immune-mediated) and neurological disease. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, and it is not known whether the disease has a single or multiple causes. Nonetheless, various genetic, immunologic, environmental and infectious factors are suspected to contribute. 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. MS affects more than two million people worldwide.
Why is Multiple Sclerosis the initial primary focus of Project BIG?
Multiple Sclerosis is arguably the most complex disease ever studied because it operates at the intersection of two highly intricate and complex systems, the immune system and the central nervous system. Unlike most other neurodegenerative diseases, MS primarily targets individuals in young adulthood and is, in fact, the leading cause of disability in young adults. Both the complexity and target patient population contribute to our team's dedication to contributing major breakthroughs in the disease.
We also recognize that unlocking the many mysteries of MS will yield exciting new insights on the immune mechanisms of the brain and the underlying causes of immune dysregulation more broadly. With our collaborators working across multiple domains, our research and impact extend to many other applications including but not limited to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Epilepsy, Cancer and Autoimmunity.
I've read about a cure for MS. Does one exist?
Tremendous progress has been made in recent years in the world of MS. While MS is thus far chronic and incurable, there exist many disease-modifying medications to reduce the frequency of episodes of disability (called relapses or exacerbations) and to limit the accumulation of lesions on the brain and spine. No medication fully prevents or reverses the progressive neurologic deterioration.
With our principal investigator Dr. Jeffrey Dunn serving as the MS Chair for the American Academy of Neurology, we are keeping a pulse on every trial, study and treatment that is relevant to our BIG mission — from those relating to stem cells to mitochondria to testosterone to gut bacteria and beyond.
How will donations to Project BIG be used?
We are proud to share that 100% of donated funds will go toward BIG research in service of finding the cause and cure for MS and unlocking the mysteries of neurological and autoimmune diseases. All donations are also 100% tax-deductible.
Why is this initiative housed at Stanford?
This initiative was founded at Stanford and leverages the world-class human capital and interdisciplinary ethos that Stanford is recognized for. There is a powerful culture of collaboration and translational medicine at Stanford that will accelerate and strengthen our efforts in unique ways. We also benefit from the leading innovations and technologies around precision health and computational medicine that were created at Stanford and in the surrounding Silicon Valley ecosystem.
Stanford was home to the first synthesis of biologically active DNA in a test tube, the first adult human heart transplant, the first use of gene expression profiling to predict cancer outcomes, and we hope the next major breakthrough toward discovering the cause and cure for Multiple Sclerosis.
How can I participate in or contribute to this effort?
Please contact us if you are a patient who would like to participate in our research protocol or if you would like to consider funding our efforts. We would also love to hear from you if you have ideas or questions for our team.