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High dose simvastatin treatment for secondary progressive MS (OPT-MS)

 Close up of a researcher using a pipette in a research lab
Lead researcher:
Professor John Greenwood
Based at:
University College London
MS Society funding:
£314,179
Status:
Active

About the project

Researchers have revealed potential benefits of high dose simvastatin for people with secondary progressive MS. People taking 80 mg/day of simvastatin had reduced brain atrophy (shrinkage) and better end of study disability scores in a phase 2 clinical trial.

This research highlights the potential of simvastatin as a treatment. But right now we don't fully understand how statins are working in MS.

Our researchers will use advanced imaging techniques to investigate what effects simvastatin is having in the brains of people with secondary progressive MS. They're particularly interested in changes in blood flow in the brain, as well as brain cell abnormalities.

How will it help people with MS?

Right now there are no treatments for progressive MS. And this is largely because we don’t understand enough about what causes it.

Our researchers want to find out what's happening in secondary progressive MS in more detail. This will help us to understand the benefits of simvastatin treatment, as well as giving us an opportunity to develop new treatments for progressive MS.

The difference you can make

Your money could help fund research into finding the answers we need to develop treatments for progressive MS.

Read about the phase 3 trial to test if simvastatin could become a treatment for secondary progressive MS.