LONDON, December 21 /PRNewswire/ --

The MS Society has approved funding of approximately GBP3.7 million for new research projects ranging from clinical trials, research into the cause, cure and care of multiple sclerosis (MS) and projects investigating symptom relief for people with MS.

In line with the MS Society Research Strategy, funding was prioritised for two key areas identified by researchers and people affected by MS. These are 'mechanisms of nerve damage, repair and protection' and 'symptom relief research'. The MS Society also awarded grants for research focusing on 'improving MS services'.

Twenty six projects were approved in 2007 and these new projects will add to the portfolio of research into MS that the MS Society supports. To date the MS Society has spent GBP62 million on research and pledges to increase its annual research spend even more in the coming years.

Simon Gillespie, chief executive of the MS Society, said: "We're delighted to announce the new research grant awards for 2007. The MS Society is committed to increasing its investment in research and these new grants support a range of innovative projects aimed at improving the understanding of MS and finding potential ways of beating it. They are extremely valuable additions to the wide range of research projects we continue to support."

More information and summaries of the new research projects funded this year can be found at http://www.mssociety.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

- The MS Society (http://www.mssociety.org.uk) is the UK's largest charity dedicated to supporting everyone whose life is touched by multiple sclerosis (MS), providing respite care, an award-winning freephone helpline (0808 800 8000), specialist MS nurses and funds around 40 vital MS research projects in the UK.

- MS is the most common disabling neurological disorder affecting young adults and an estimated 85,000 people in the UK have MS.

- MS is the result of damage to myelin - the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system - which interferes with messages between the brain and the body.

- For some people, MS is characterised by periods of relapse and remission while for others it has a progressive pattern.

- Symptoms range from loss of sight and mobility, fatigue, depression and cognitive problems. There is no cure.

For media enquiries please contact the MS Society Press Office on +44(0)20-8438-0840, or the out of hours duty press officer on +44(0)7909-851401.