Ireland should be leading the way in multiple sclerosis (MS) research given the prevalence of the condition here, MS Ireland has said.

The national charity is launching a new report, which aims to support researchers and provide people with MS, and the wider public, a better understanding of the research process.

MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system, which causes a gradual degeneration of the nerves. This results in a progressive deterioration in various functions controlled by the nervous system, such as vision, speech and movement.

Around 2.5 million people worldwide are affected, including 9,000 people in Ireland.

"Given the prevalence of MS here, Ireland should be leading the way in MS research. This report gives us a blueprint of what needs to be done. As a first step, we want to establish an MS research community collective to bolster Ireland's current research strengths, to obtain more funding and improve research visibility," explained MS Ireland CEO, Ava Battles.

Research published last year revealed that people with MS experience a big reduction in their quality of life. According to the charity, this underlines the need for greater research and innovation when it comes to MS treatments.

The report, Making Ireland the Best Place to do Multiple Sclerosis Research, is being discussed at a meeting by expert speakers in Dublin on World MS Day (May 30). According to one of the speakers, Dr Claire McCoy of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), research offers people living with MS ‘real hope for improvement, both in their treatment and quality of life'.

"The report also lays out a clear pathway that will help to overcome some of the issues that have been faced and I would urge people working in the treatment of MS to get involved as the recommendations are rolled out," Dr McCoy said.

The report was compiled by MS Ireland and Novartis Ireland following a meeting with various groups interested in this area, including patients, doctors, nurses and scientists.

One of the recommendations contained in the report relates to the establishment of an MS Research Community, which will help overcome obstacles to research such as gathering samples, establishing a biobank and a patient register.

Other recommendations include improved data and information sharing, greater involvement of people living with MS, potential funding models and improved dissemination of research findings.

The report can be viewed here