Eileen Abarca, BS––NARCOMS Bilingual Research Coordinator, Barrow Neurological Institute, Arizona; Patricia Davis, MS––NARCOMS Database Coordinator, Barrow Neurological Institute, Arizona; Tuula Tyry, PhD, MAEd––Program and Editorial Manager, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
Introduction
North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) program, a project of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC), is a long-term research project designed [...]

Tuula Tyry PhD, MAEd—Program and Editorial Manager, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
Introduction
A relapsing-remitting disease course is typical in most cases of multiple sclerosis (MS), especially during its early stages. Optimal treatment of each relapse (or exacerbation) depends on its severity and other factors as described in the lead article in this issue (see pages 6 [...]

Ruth Ann Marrie, MD, PhD-Mellen Center for MS Treatment and Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation-CMSC/NARCOMS Research Fellow; Tuula Tyry, PhD, MAED-NARCOMS Program and Editorial Manager-Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
Introduction
The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) started the NARCOMS project in 1993 to aid multiple sclerosis (MS) research. More than 32,000 persons have enrolled in the NARCOMS [...]

Breanna Bullock, MHSM––NARCOMS Database Coordinator, Barrow Neurological Institute,Arizona; Tuula Tyry, PhD, MAED–NARCOMS Program Manager, Barrow Neurological Institute, Arizona
Introduction
According to the 2007 estimate by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the number of people with MS currently living in the US is about 400,000.

Breanna Bullock, BA––NARCOMS Database Coordinator, Barrow Neurological Institute, Arizona.
Introduction
Cognitive deficits in multiple sclerosis (MS) are known to be a common feature of the disease. Presently, up to 65% of patients are affected (Bobholz & Rao, 2003; Amato, Portaccio, & Zipoli, 2006) and many report that they find the symptoms troublesome. It is well established that [...]

By Tuula Tyry, PhD, MAED, Narcoms Program and Editorial Manager–Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
Introduction
Diagnosis of MS can be complicated as there is no single, conclusive test for a clinician to use. Introduction of MRI techniques and the McDonald criteria have streamlined the diagnostic process, but it can still take several years before a suspected disease [...]

Tuula Tyry, PhD––NARCOMS Program and Editorial Manager, Barrow Neurological Institute, Arizona; Breanna Bullock, BA–NARCOMS Database Coordinator, Barrow Neurological Institute,Arizona
Introduction
Epidemiological research studies patterns, causes, and control of disease in various populations. Since NARCOMS Registry participants often submit questions and comments about the epidemiological factors linked to MS prevalence and incidence, we asked Drs. Wallin and Kurtzke [...]

Tuula Tyry, PhD, MAED, Narcoms Program and Editorial Manager – Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
Introduction
The CMSC/NARCOMS MS Patient Registry has now been operating for about 10 years. It has collected self-reported data from over 31,000 people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The accumulated data are used to match participants with clinical trials and other MS-related research [...]

Sharing NARCOMS Results With the MS Community
Tuula Tyry, PhD, MAED––NARCOMS Program and Editorial Manager, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
Introduction
The purpose of the NARCOMS database is two-fold: to expedite clinical trial recruitment and to facilitate multiple sclerosis (MS) research in general. Over the course of the past 10 years, thousands of Registry participants have been notified [...]

Tuula Tyry, PhD, MAED,
NARCOMS Program Manager
Introduction
As of March 2005 the total number of participants enrolled in the NARCOMS MS Patient Registry was well over 30,000 (see Figure 1). The spring 2005 update survey is scheduled to be sent by mail or via a secure Web site to over 22,000 active participants in early April. Hopefully [...]

The NARCOMS MS Patient Registry, a project of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, is now entering its sixth year of operation. Over the last 6 years it has grown from a small pilot study executed in Connecticut to a nation-wide database that includes data on over 30,000 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). As individuals [...]