Dr Yi Chao Foong

There was also a trend towards less disability, though not significant. Overall, our findings support the use of higher-efficacy therapies in LOMS.

Moderate–high efficacy disease-modifying therapies reduce relapse risk in late-onset multiple sclerosis Introduction Late-onset multiple sclerosis (LOMS) now comprises over 10% of MS diagnoses in contemporary cohorts. The effectiveness of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in LOMS is unclear. We aimed t...

Happy to share our study demonstrating moderate–high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies significantly reduce relapse risk in late-onset multiple sclerosis (LOMS- now over 10% of all new MS diagnosis)!

📄 Read the full paper: jnnp.bmj.com/content/97/1...

#MultipleSclerosis #Neurology #MS

We’re thrilled to see Dr Foong share his expertise on this global stage at #PACTRIMS. Over 50% of people with #MS are aged over 50, and his research is helping to shape their care. Dive into his team's latest papers here:
🔗 jnnp.bmj.com/content/earl...
🔗 journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

Dr Yi Chao Foong of the MS Research Flagship at Menzies Institute for Medical Research in Tasmania, Australia presents his scientific poster at the 2025 ECTRIMS Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Can high-efficacy treatments improve outcomes for people diagnosed with #MultipleSclerosis later in life? Dr Yi Chao Foong @ycfoong.bsky.social from our #MSResearch Flagship explores this in his poster at #ECTRIMS2025
🔗 msresearchflagship.org.au/researchers/ms-research-flagship-at-ectrims-2025

Professor Bruce Taylor of the MS Research Flagship at Menzies Institute for Medical Research in Tasmania, Australia points to his poster for his research abstract at the 2025 ECTRIMS Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Our MS Research Flagship's Prof Bruce Taylor is at #ECTRIMS2025! His poster explores how genetic oxidative stress and low Mediterranean diet intake combine to influence MS onset risk. More 👇
🔗 msresearchflagship.org.au/researchers/ms-research-flagship-at-ectrims-2025
#MultipleSclerosis #MSResearch

Himanshu Saraswat of the MS Research Flagship at Menzies Institute for Medical Research in Tasmania, Australia standing with his poster for his research abstract at the 2025 ECTRIMS Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Our MS Research Flagship's Himanshu Saraswat is at #ECTRIMS2025! His study investigated whether rare genetic variants in families with multiple MS cases could help explain MS risk.
More 👇
🔗 msresearchflagship.org.au/researchers/ms-research-flagship-at-ectrims-2025
#MultipleSclerosis #MSResearch

Dr Xin Lin of the MS Research Flagship at Menzies Institute for Medical Research in Tasmania, Australia standing next to his poster for his research abstract at the 2025 ECTRIMS Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Dr Xin Lin from our MS Research Flagship is at #ECTRIMS2025! His poster reveals how genetic structural variation in complement component 4 affects risk of MS onset and disability progression.
🔗 msresearchflagship.org.au/researchers/ms-research-flagship-at-ectrims-2025
#MultipleSclerosis #MSResearch

Available projects for research degrees | University of Tasmania - Are people living with MS ageing well? Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological disorder in yo...

Want to turbo charge your #science career with a #PhD? Find out if people living with #MS are ageing well in this project at @menzies-research.bsky.social
www.utas.edu.au/research/deg...

Retinal neuronal loss and progression independent of relapse activity in multiple sclerosis - Journal of Neurology Background In multiple sclerosis (MS), inner retinal thinning measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) is related to lesional and gray matter changes of the brain. Objective To evaluate the asso...

Retinal thinning on OCT as a marker of PIRA - #multiplesclerosis #MS tinyurl.com/24k2nja7

Should disease-modifying therapy be discontinued in older patients with stable multiple sclerosis after long-term clinical and radiological stability? No - Yi Chao Foong, Helmut Butzkueven, 2025

Absolute pleasure to be part of this controversies in MS debate! Of course, real life practice sits in between the two positions, but much food for thought on both ends of the spectrum. #MS #multiplesclerosis #neurology journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

For people with existing autoimmune disorders who take immune checkpoint inhibitors, the risk of relapse appears to be much higher with myasthenia gravis (12 of 18 [67%], often severe) vs only 8 of 45 [18%] with multiple sclerosis. Why? pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40465294/

A big thank you to ANZAN, co-authors and all respondents!

2/ Reported impacts:
🔥 Heat worsening MS, epilepsy, Parkinson’s
🌫️ Air pollution linked to stroke & dementia
🌪️ Natural disasters disrupting access to care

1/ Most neurologists agree:
✔️ Climate change is real
✔️ It’s already affecting patients
But many feel underprepared to address it in practice.

Climate change and neurology: A survey of neurologists in Australia and New Zealand This study aimed to assess the perceptions of neurologists in Australia and New Zealand regarding climate change and its impact on neurological practi…

🧠🌏 NEW PAPER: We surveyed Australian & New Zealand neurologists about climate change and brain health. Here's what we found 🧵
OA paper here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

3/ Conclusion: Neurologists are concerned about climate change and its impact on patients, but most feel uncomfortable raising it in routine clinical care. Our findings support the need for more mitigation strategies for our patients. #Climatechange #Neurology #BrainHealth #MS #Neurosky #Medsky

Low natalizumab trough concentrations are associated with reduced seroconversion of the John Cunningham virus in natalizumab-treated patients with multiple sclerosis Background Natalizumab is a highly effective drug for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). A disadvantage of this treatment is the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopa...

Interesting study that shows trough NTZ levels affect JCV seroconversion, with low trough levels reducing risk of seroconversion #multiplesclerosis #MS jnnp.bmj.com/content/earl...

Conclusion
Worse baseline cognitive performance and lack of a practice effect predicted future cognitive decline in RRMS. Thanks to all participants, collaborators and supervisors!

📊 Results
• Stability: PST scores were stable over time at a population level
• Latent Classes: Four trajectories emerged - those with worst baseline cognitive performance and lack of a practice effect were at greater risk of future decline

Longitudinal Trajectories of Digital Cognitive Biomarkers for Multiple Sclerosis Background Cognitive impairment is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Digital cognitive biomarkers require less time and resources and...

New paper! How does cognition change over time in #MS? We analyzed longitudinal data using the iPad-based Processing speed test (PST). Full #OA paper here - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

Chance for tasmanian RACP members to give feedback on the upcoming 20 year tassie preventative health strategy - www.racp.edu.au/policy-and-a... #RACP #politas #Tasmania

I would be a little bit hesitant re the results - short follow up (1 year), industry sponsored by the makers of said fumarate, inadequate matching...

Curious that this isn't bigger news -- Australia's most iconic multi-day walking track, rapidly being burnt out. This was 11:00 am yesterday, just south of Cradle Mountain: browser.dataspace.copernicus.eu?zoom=12&lat=...

yes, it's bizarre it doesnt have greater coverage. Saddening.

Consensus recommendations on multiple sclerosis management in Australia and New Zealand: part 2 A safe, effective and comprehensive approach to managing MS is crucial for improving long term outcomes and quality of life in individuals affected by MS

ANZ recommendations on MS management - congrats Jess, a comprehensive and contemporary look at optimal MS management! www.mja.com.au/journal/2025...

De‐Escalation of Disease‐Modifying Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis—A Danish Nationwide Cohort Study High‐efficacy (HE) disease‐modifying therapies (DMT) are increasingly used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). Concerns arise when considering the decreasing efficacy and increasing risk of adverse even...

yet another failed deescalation trial - not particularly surprising given fingolimod & natalizumab drove the results. #multiplesclerosis #neurology #MS pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

A randomized trial showed Factor XIa inhibitor (abelacimab) compared with the currently used Factor Xa blocking agents (rivoroxaban) for atrial fibrillation led to significantly less bleeding events, leading to early trial termination
nejm.org/doi/full/10....

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for treatment of multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder — recommendations from ECTRIMS and the EBMT - Nature Reviews Neurolog... Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is a treatment option for some forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), but uncertainties remain about its implementation in clinical practice and ...

ECTRIMS recommendations of AHSCT for MS and NMOSD: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

This seems more like a MS + SCA scenario - OCB +VE and MS like lesions on MRI? Seems harsh to call it a misdiagnosis...

🧠 Conclusion
MDT remained stable overall, but latent class analysis revealed a subgroup at higher risk of decline. This may represent a valuable digital tool in predicting future disability in MS. Big thanks to all participants, collaborators and my fantastic supervisors!