New England MS Branch

22/02/2026

Understand how MS affects eating and nutrition: https://bit.ly/3V0Vzqz

22/02/2026

Anything that helps to keep MS at bay is worth knowing and understanding. Hope everyone is having a good day.💕

Learn why medication adherence matters in MS: https://bit.ly/4mKzRD8

14/02/2026

If you are interested and can help, please do so.

Our researchers need your help to advance our understanding of multiple sclerosis (MS) in an Australia-wide study.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 We urgently need:
• People diagnosed with MS
• People without MS (YOU can still contribute!)

🧬 Why participate?
We’re investigating the connection between the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and MS, and your contribution could lead to improved diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of MS. This study is recruiting a broad group of people with and without MS from across Australia to donate saliva samples. Your participation is critical to understanding how EBV impact the immune systems in MS development.

✅ Participation is easy!
• Complete a questionnaire
• Provide three saliva samples (postal submissions are welcome!)
• Optionally, give a blood sample

🔍 Ready to make a difference?
Find out if you’re eligible by completing our survey via this link: 👇https://redcap.utas.edu.au/surveys/?s=94EW7377K3M8483X

For more information contact:
Chavi Asthana, Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Menzies Institute for Medical Research
17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000
t (03) 6226 4226; e: Chhavi.Asthana@utas.edu.au

This study is approved by the University of Tasmania Human Research Ethics Committee, H0027273 (H-85821) and funded by the Australian Government, Medical Research Future Fund and National Health and Medical Research Council

14/02/2026

10/02/2026

Another exercise option. Hope it helps.

Try these 5 effective stretches for MS spasticity today: https://bit.ly/3UQrDxz

10/02/2026

Here is an at home exercise option for those who might be interested. Thanks MS Plus.

Join our supportive online community and stay active from home! 🏡 Our Exercise Physiologist-led classes help you feel stronger, more confident and more comfortable in daily movement.

📅 Starts 17 February
⏰ 12pm & 6pm sessions
📲 Book your spot: https://www.msplus.org.au/support-services/information-and-advice/programs-and-education

04/02/2026

If someone you care for is living with MS, the Navigate MS Friends & Family program can help you better understand the condition, discover available supports and learn practical ways to care for them and for yourself.
Over one 60-minute session, an MS expert will guide you through key topics like understanding MS, navigating the health system and looking after your own wellbeing.

🗓 Day and evening sessions available throughout the year.
🔗 Book today: https://www.trybooking.com/DEZUM

04/02/2026

Some more information on the research of genetics and MS.

Dr Nicholas Blackburn and Dr Bennet McComish of our MS Research Flagship are lead authors on the latest paper to come out of the Australian and New Zealand MS Genetics Consortium (ANZgene). The international collaboration brings together MS neurologists and scientists working with DNA samples to explore how our genes contribute to multiple sclerosis.

The team set out to determine whether rare genetic conditions that look like MS (but aren’t) might be hiding among MS diagnoses.

They found that these genetic ‘MS mimics’ are extremely rare. The data showed that from more than 4,300 people diagnosed with MS, only four had signs of another genetic disease. This disease, caused by a change in their DNA, may explain some, or all, of their MS symptoms.

Further, when looking across approximately 1,600 genes known to cause other neurological diseases, they found that people with MS had no more genetic changes in these genes than Australians without MS.

So what does this mean for people living with MS? A small number may benefit from genetic testing to inform their MS diagnosis or an alternate diagnosis. But for most, this research offers strong reassurance that their MS diagnosis by a specialist is very likely accurate.

For a more detailed plain language summary of Nick and Bennet's research check out the link in the comments 👇

30/01/2026

You may be seeing carers every day, however, they may not know they are a “carer”.

Often, it is the person beside the patient. They’re the one doing the organising, the remembering, the follow-up, and their own health is quietly slipping.

Ensuring that you identify family or friend carers could help improve continuity of care and patient clinical outcomes.

Want to learn more?
Join us for a free online workshop
10th February 2026
6:30pm - 7:30pm

Register today: https://bit.ly/4pLAlKg