EMSP Annual Conference 2025: Prevention in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

The EMSP 2025 Annual Conference convened 130 participants and over 30 distinguished speakers on May 16-17, 2025, under the theme “Prevention in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders: Uncovering Risk and Protective Factors.” This comprehensive two-day program engaged MS patients, caregivers, medical professionals, researchers, and policymakers through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive workshops.

The conference opened with Professor Eva Kubala Havrdová’s landmark keynote addressing the current landscape of MS prevention. Leading experts delivered insightful presentations throughout the program, including Dr. Bart Van Wijmeersch discussing aging with MS, Sports Scientist, Stephanie Woschek from DMSG Germany on lifestyle interventions for comorbidity prevention, and Prof. Jelena Drulovic from Serbia exploring how comorbidities complicate treatment approaches. Tommaso Manacorda from AISM presented breakthrough findings from the Impact of Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms survey, which covered 17,000 people across 22 countries. The research revealed that people with MS experience an average of 13.7 symptoms, with invisible symptoms like fatigue and cognitive dysfunction remaining inadequately managed. Biomarker research took center stage with Dr. Vardakas presenting on predicting MS relapses, while Dr. Enric Monreal from Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal contributed to panels examining biomarkers’ role in future diagnosis and prevention strategies.

The conference emphasised the critical need for inclusivity through Dr. Andrea Stennett’s session on fostering diversity in MS research. Dr. Agne Straukiene and EMSP’s Young People’s Network member Janneke Knoll led discussions on patient empowerment, while Anne Helme from MSIF provided global perspectives on MS prevention and management across different healthcare systems.

The conference featured innovative community-building activities and storytelling stations, showcasing the latest advances in European MS care while effectively bridging the gap between research, clinical practice, and patient advocacy.