Research   

Research

The neuroinflammatory service takes pride in leading on a range of research studies, to improve knowledge about neuroinflammatory conditions. We host research projects encompassing clinical, biochemical, imaging and genetic studies.

The SNOWDONIA study is investigating the long-term outcomes of multiple sclerosis and neuroinflammatory disorders. You may be approached in clinic to take part in this study.

We also host a number of national and international clinical trials. We regularly screen our patient population and will contact you if we think you are eligible for these studies.

You can get in touch with the research team on 029 218 43454 / 029 218 43798, at msdata@cardiff.ac.uk, or talk to a member of the neuroinflammatory team if you want to find out more or take part in research.

Research Team

Professor Neil Robertson

Neil Robertson is a Professor of Clinical Neurology at Cardiff University and head of the MS department. He trained at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, Bristol, Cambridge and then the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London. He was appointed as consultant Neurologist in Cardiff in 1999 and subsequently as Professor of Neurology in 2010. Professor Robertson leads the research programme in neuroinflammatory disorders of the central nervous system and the epidemiology and genetics of multiple sclerosis. He has served as Treasurer and Advisory Group Chair for the Association of British Neurologists (ABN), and contributes to several research review panels including the MS Society, UK ABN fellowship program, and Parkinson’s UK, as well as to a number of clinical trial management boards and is director of the Welsh Neuroscience Research Tissue Bank. 

Dr Emma Tallantyre

Emma Tallantyre trained in Nottingham where she completed a PhD exploring the pathology of multiple sclerosis using MRI. She completed her training in South Wales in 2016 and now works as an academic neurologist with the Cardiff MS team. She shares her time between clinical work and research, and is particularly interested in studying disease outcomes in people with MS, helping to develop national and international clinical trials, and public engagement in research. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Tallantyre led on work to better understand vaccine responses in people with MS. The work has informed guidance for people living with MS. Dr Tallantyre has recently set up a national network for UK MS researchers to encourage working together to address research questions. 

Dr Mark Willis

Dr Willis graduated in medicine from Cardiff University in 2006, having also completed an intercalated BSc in cellular and molecular pathology as part of his studies. He undertook general medical and neurology specialist training across South Wales, during which time he also worked as a clinical teaching fellow (attaining a postgraduate certificate in medical education from Dundee University) and completing a PhD from Cardiff University in the field of MS immunology, supported by a clinical research training fellowship from the Wellcome Trust. Dr Willis joined the MS team as a consultant neurologist in January 2022 and continues to have an interest in both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching as well as MS research. Dr Willis also has a developing interest in the neurological complications of novel cancer immunotherapy.

Dr Sam Loveless (Laboratory/Welsh Neuroscience Research Tissue Bank Manager)

Sam joined the MS research team in 2009 and became Biobank Manager in 2017. She oversees the daily operations of the Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory including the MS Research Group, Welsh Neuroscience Research Tissue Bank, and Brain Repair and Intercranial Neurotherapeutics (BRAIN) human tissue research based within the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff University site. Sam is responsible for managing all human biological sample processing, storage and retrieval and leads on maintaining ethical and local approvals, implementing governance procedures, standardised operating protocols, patient information sheets and consent forms. She provides training for clinicians and researchers and liaises with UK research coordinators and collaborating researchers. Sam has also been instrumental in the set up and coordination of central biorepositories for a number of national and international clinical trials including DELIVER, DECISIVE and OCTOPUS.

Dr Valerie Anderson (Research Manager)

Valerie joined the MS research team as a research assistant in 2016. She previously worked as a researcher in clinical neurosciences at UCL and the University of Auckland, and gained her PhD in 2008 (which investigated the use of MRI in monitoring disease progression in MS). Valerie supports the MS research team in multiple areas including managing the regulatory approvals required for research, study co-ordination, data collection and analysis, and public/patient involvement.

Cynthia Butcher (Research Nurse)

Cynthia has worked in neurosciences since qualifying as a nurse in 1989. She previously worked in Parkinson’s and Huntington’s research and has been working in the team as an MS research nurse since 2015. Cynthia maintains strong links between the research and clinical teams, and attends the weekly multi-disciplinary team meeting. She plays a vital role in delivering the MS trials running in the department (e.g. DELIVER, MS-STAT2, HERCULES/PERSEUS). This includes in-person research visits, phone contact with participants, and maintaining paperwork for the studies. Cynthia screens our patient population to identify potential participants for any new studies being set up.

Andrew Thomas (Senior Research Technician)

Andrew joined the MS Research team in 2022. He joined Cardiff University in 2002 and provided technical support, advice and training in several roles involving immunology, genetics and protein chemistry. He has also participated in and led research projects mainly focused on innate immunology. He currently is involved in sample processing, data handling and equipment maintenance.

Megan Voisey (Research Nurse)

Megan graduated with an honours degree in adult Nursing in 2014. She worked in neurosurgery and subsequently joined the neuroscience and MS research team in 2019. She supports the MS research team on several projects in different capacities including study co-ordination, patient involvement, data and sample collection, and managing databases.  

Jayne Howlett (Research Administrator)

Jayne joined the research team in 2022, having worked in the NHS since 2008, most recently as a clinic co-ordinator. Jayne works on the DELIVER-MS study, doing the 3-monthly phone-calls to participants and co-ordinating MRI appointments. She also plays a vital role in the NEuRoMS study, sending out screening invitations and generating reports for the clinical team.

Catherine McConnell (Administrator)

Cat is the neurosciences departmental administrator, and assists the research team in numerous studies.

Research Studies & Clinical Trials

SNOWDONIA (Study of Neuroinflammatory Outcomes in Wales: Disease biology, Observation & NeuroImAging)

SNOWDONIA is our long-running study of MS/neuroinflammatory epidemiology (the causes of disease and health outcomes in populations). Over 2000 people have consented to take part in the study since it started. The study uses clinical data collected during routine NHS visits to investigate the disease course of MS, and the impact of disease-modifying therapies. In addition, blood samples donated by study participants allow us to investigate biomarkers of disease. Participants do not have to alter their routine care or attend additional visits for this study. You may be approached at a clinic appointment to take part in this study.

Welsh Neuroscience Research Tissue Bank (WNRTB)

The WNRTB is a biobanking facility run by Cardiff University, sited at the University Hospital of Wales. It offers high quality human biological samples for research into neurological diseases. The collection includes samples such as blood, DNA and cerebrospinal fluid from people with neuroinflammatory disorders, epilepsy, motor neurone disease, brain tumours, and other neurological conditions. Requests to use samples come from academic institutions across the UK and abroad. We also welcome blood samples from healthy volunteers. Find out more about the WNRTB https://brain.wales/biobanking/

DELIVER-MS

The international DELIVER-MS study is investigating whether early treatment with highly effective disease-modifying therapies improves outcomes for people with MS. The results of this study will help to guide overall treatment approaches to existing therapies as well as new therapies in the future. Over 80 participants are currently taking part in Cardiff. Find out more about DELIVER-MS. https://deliver-ms.com/

NEuRoMS (Neuropsychological Evaluation and Rehabilitation in MS)

NEuRoMS aims to develop a routine assessment of cognitive problems for all people with MS. If you are attending an NHS clinic for MS, you may have received a link to complete a series of questionnaires and/or tasks before your appointment. The study will also develop a brief neuropsychological rehabilitation programme. This programme would be used to help people with mild or moderate cognitive difficulties in everyday situations. Find out more about NEuRoMS. https://neuroms.org/

Octopus

The Octopus trial is the first multi-arm, multi-stage trial in MS. This type of trial design allows testing of multiple drugs at once, allowing faster testing of potential treatments. Its goal is to find treatments that can slow down, and ultimately stop, the progression of disability in people with MS. The study aims to recruit at least 1200 people with progressive MS, and people will join the trial gradually over the next six years. Recruitment in Cardiff is due to open in 2023. Find out more about Octopus https://www.mssociety.org.uk/research/explore-our-research/research-we-fund/search-our-research-projects/octopus and to register to OCTOPUS trial: https://ukmsregister.org/octopus

Other on-going studies

MS-STAT2 (closed to recruitment)

MS-STAT2 is a phase 3 trial exploring whether simvastatin can slow or stop disability progression in people with secondary progressive MS. Find out more about MS-STAT2 here: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/research/latest-research/latest-research-news-and-blogs/ms-stat2-trial-for-secondary-progressive-ms-begins-recruitment-across-the-uk

HERCULES (closed to recruitment) & PERSEUS

Phase 3 trials investigating whether tolebrutinib can slow progression in secondary progressive (HERCULES) and primary progressive (PERSEUS) MS. Find out more about HERCULES & PERSEUS here: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/research/explore-our-research/research-we-fund/search-our-research-projects/tolebrutinib

ChariotMS

ChariotMS is a trial investigating whether cladribine can help people with MS maintain the use of their arms and hands. Find out more about ChariotMS here; https://www.mssociety.org.uk/research/explore-our-research/research-we-fund/search-our-research-projects/chariotms-can

O’HAND

This study aims to recruit 1000 people with primary progressive MS, to investigate whether ocrelizumab slows the progression of upper limb disability.

ARTIOS (closed to recruitment)

This study is evaluating the effectiveness and patient-reported outcomes of ofatumumab in around 550 patients with relapsing MS transitioning from dimethyl fumarate or fingolimod therapy.

StarMS

StarMS aims to compare the efficacy and safety profile of Autologous Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (aHSCT) vs ‘highly effective’ disease-modifying therapies (ocrelizumab, alemtuzumab, cladribine and ofatumumab). The study aims to recruit 198 participants from 19 sites across the UK. Find out more about StarMS here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/scharr/research/centres/ctru/starms