Brain stimulation study gives hope to MS sufferers

A new therapy being trialled by researchers at Mater Hospital Brisbane is giving hope for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

The TAURUS.2 study targets brain cells with electromagnetic waves in a process known as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).

The translational research project, initiated by internationally recognised Dr Carlie Cullen, is a collaboration involving more than 100 participants across six Australian sites who undertake intensive intervention treatment.

Doctors believe rTMS has the potential to significantly relieve some of the main symptoms of MS – a chronic neurological disease which is commonly diagnosed in those aged 20 to 40 and, in Australia, affects three times more women than men.

In MS, the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks and damages the fatty material – called myelin – around the nerves.

There is currently no cure for the condition. Although there is no known single cause of MS, many genetic and environmental factors have been shown to contribute to its development.

Mater Hospital Brisbane Director of Neurosciences Dr Andrew Swayne said the trial involving more than 100 participants Australia-wide had the potential to enable MS patients to regain or improve their quality of life.

“It ventures into an area that, so far, has proven out of reach for the MS population—maintaining or repairing health status,” said Dr Swayne, who also leads Mater Research’s Neuroimmunology Research Group.

“This trial is quite unique and is hopefully heralding a whole new era in MS where this technology and other technologies will be used to try and achieve, in time, remyelination or neuronal healing as part of the disease management.”

Mater Foundation support

Thanks to community support, Mater Foundation has funded the current world-first, stage two clinical trial, which measures the effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) on MS patients.

TMS is a procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of major depression. It is now being trialled on MS sufferers to manage issues including fatigue and to improve mood.

Dr Swayne said it is hoped TMS will also improve other symptom complexes.

As part of the trial, an electromagnetic coil was placed against the scalp of each participant’s head.

This coil delivers magnetic pulses that stimulate nerve cells. Additional benefits may be gained through improvements in mood control and depression, said Dr Swayne.

He said participants had treatment for four weeks for six minutes at a time and changes in MS functional composite scores were also looked at which examine movement in upper and lower limbs and memory and attention.

Jette’s diagnosis

Brisbane mum-of-two Jette Beek, 48, was diagnosed with MS in January 2023 after experiencing “out of the blue” tingling in her left thumb and index finger.

“This quickly got worse, my whole left hand got really numb and tingly and soon my thumb and index fingers were completely paralysed,” Mrs Beek said.

After having an MRI, just 24 hours later her doctor revealed she had a lesion in her neck and suspected it was MS.

“I couldn’t hold a pen or a fork, my hand was useless. I felt like my body was falling apart and there was nothing I could do to stop it,” Mrs Beek said.

Mrs Beek described MS as a “scary disease”.

“You don’t know if it will eventually get worse, you just don’t know how quickly it will progress,” she said.

“The trial was life-changing in terms of fatigue. I’ve never felt so good since my diagnosis.

“Shortly after commencing, I stopped sleeping during the day. I felt so much better, both physically and mentally.”

Mrs Beek hoped the changes were permanent however, a few weeks after her last trial session, her fatigue returned.

“MS never goes away and I’m aware of it every hour of the day. Every day I get strange and uncomfortable sensations, sometimes I feel like my legs are trembling but then nothing is visible from the outside,” she said.

Mater Clinical Research Coordinator Tamara Powell said MRI scans were completed before and after participants had TMS treatment.

“We recorded a MS functional composite score of their upper and lower limb function, as well as memory function,” she said.

“Fatigue is the most crippling effect of MS,” Ms Powell said.

“The trial looked at whether participants hands were getting steadier and if their movement improved.

“The study looked at mood and movement and an MRI showed how the brain can change with treatment.

“TMS is not aimed at curing MS, but trying to understand if it can help with mood and what doses are needed.”

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