Identifying and Characterizing Preclinical MS

The Detection Research of Early Asymptomatic MS (DREAM) study aims to discover the earliest immune system changes that ultimately cause Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The earlier MS can be detected, the less damage is done, so research on the early signs of MS is crucial. To find these early immune changes, we are bringing together a cohort of close relatives of people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), such as parents, siblings, and children. While most family members will never have a problem related to MS, they are at a slightly higher risk than the general population. By participating in the DREAM cohort, family members can help us achieve the dream of stopping MS forever

Who can Participate?

· Close relatives (parent, sibling, child) of someone with MS

· Age 18 or older

· Willing to give a blood donation, answer some surveys, and continue to be contacted in the future

What is Required?

· All participants give a blood sample, an oral swab, complete a health history, and complete some surveys.

· All participants are contacted periodically (up to four per year) on an ongoing basis for updated health information and to complete surveys

· Participants may be invited to give follow-up blood donations (optional)

· Participants may be invited to give other types of biologic specimens (like stool, fat tissue, spinal fluid) (optional)

· Participants may be invited to have an MRI (optional)

Will I be Paid?

· Participants will be paid $25 for each blood donation

· There is no payment for oral swabs or for survey completion

· If you donate another type of biologic specimen or get an MRI, you will be paid. The amount varies, depending on what type of test is being done.

What’s the Point?

We hope that studying people who are at higher risk for MS (but who do not have the disease) will provide the crucial insights needed to catch the disease when it is still asymptomatic. If we could find the disease that early, we believe it might be possible to prevent it entirely.

This type of research can’t be done alone. We need you to join the DREAM team and help us build a world free of MS.

How can I Participate?

Please complete the pre-screening survey if you are interested in participating in the DREAM study. You can also email us at MSResearch@yale.edu.