The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and Brain Canada Foundation announced today the selected team to lead the Canadian cohort to study the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). Dr. Jiwon Oh, based at St. Michael’s Hospital, and her team of nearly 50 leading MS researchers in multiple disciplines from across the country, have been chosen to lead the $7+ million Canadian Proactive Cohort Study for People Living with MS (CanProCo).

In December 2016, Bennett Jones announced its $1 million multi-year donation to the Cohort Study. Canada has the highest rate of multiple sclerosis in the world, with an estimated 100,000 Canadians living with the disease.

The CanProCo is the first project of its kind in Canada aiming to gain a better understanding of the unpredictable nature of disease progression. In addition to understanding why some people progress in their disease and some people do not, researchers will also try to pinpoint triggers leading to progression and establish methods of managing those triggers while also measuring the impact of MS on individuals as well as the Canadian healthcare system.

Click here for more information about the Canadian MS Progression Cohort.