ABH Special Interest Group (SIG) update - MS Cutting Edge Science

This session is part of a series of write-ups on Cutting Edge Science for Multiple Sclerosis 2021; the conference summary for which is here. The conference was chaired by Dr Wallace Brownlee.

The ABN’s Special Interest Group (SIG) for MS and neuroinflammation is an opportunity for the neurology community to come together the shape interprofessional education.

That’s according to Dr Tarunya Arun, who said the newly restructured SIG gives all those interested in MS and neuroinflammation the chance to work together to “enhance research and clinical practice, and work towards dissemination of best practice”.

While it is affiliated to the ABN, the SIG, which is made up of consultants, trainee neurologists, scientists, allied health professionals and more, is independent of the association.

And unlike the ABN’s advisory group, which is appointed by the ABN to respond to NHS consultation documents and publish guidelines and policy statements, the SIG works to develop education activities.

Tarunya, who chairs the group, believes that this education should “certainly not be unilateral”, but invited delegates to share their thoughts on what they thought was needed.

The SIG also has a role in helping the community to share research plans and expertise, using the reach of the ABN to reach multiple centres, as well as providing networking opportunities, she said.

“One thing we could be doing better is the trainee aspects, giving the future neuroinflammatory neurologists the opportunity to meet experts in the field.”

Historically, the group has a one-hour meeting during the ABN’s main annual conference, but last year there was also a half-day session, which took a virtual, in person hybrid form, in the autumn.

Future opportunities

Future opportunities for the SIG network include:

• Contributing to meeting content and helping to plan future meetings
• Sharing research and audits
• Rationalising therapy
• Sharing recruitment opportunities
• Work with the ABN advisory group, MS registries and trials consortium, and MS Academy to exchange ideas

This activity has been supported by sponsorship from Roche Products Ltd, Biogen Idec Ltd and Janssen-Cilag Ltd. The sponsors have had no control over the educational content of this activity.