Robert's story highlights the power of early detection and why research like the Brain Study is critical to changing the future of neurological disease. #CleClinicNeuro #brainstudy #research #multiplesclersosis
Robert joined our Brain Study to help others. He never expected it would reveal multiple sclerosis. Encouraged by his sister Margaret, Robert Wetzler enrolled in our Brain Study, a long-term research study working to identify, prevent and treat brain diseases before symptoms appear. An MRI completed as part of the study showed findings that suggested multiple sclerosis or MS, which doctors later confirmed through follow-up testing. At 53 years old, Robert had no clinical symptoms and never expected the study would uncover something about his own health. Doctors told him the condition might not otherwise have been detected for another seven to 10 years. According to epilepsy neurologist Dr. Imad Najm, who leads the Brain Study, Robert's experience reflects one of the study's key goals. "We have a crisis with respect to brain disease," says Dr. Najm. “Brain diseases in general, and particularly neurodegenerative diseases, express themselves clinically when it’s usually far too late to do anything about it. Our hope is to identify disease earlier and ultimately find better ways to treat and prevent it." Supported by philanthropic funding, we enrolled our first volunteer in the Brain Study in January 2022. We’re now approaching 5,000 participants. Researchers hope to eventually enroll 20,000 volunteers. Adults age 50 and older with no known neurological disorder, as well as neurologically healthy adults age 20 and older who have a parent or sibling diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, are eligible to participate. After his diagnosis, Robert began treatment through our Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis. He receives ocrelizumab infusions, administered every six months, and takes daily oral medication. "Diagnosing multiple sclerosis before clinical onset may be the best opportunity to initiate disease modifying medication and prevent long-term effects of multiple sclerosis,” says neurologist Dr. Daniel Ontaneda “You could be helping yourself and others," Robert says. "And something in your data may help researchers find a path to a cure, a little way of doing something good for people." More: https://cle.clinic/4zavEj1