Dr. Wei Yeh’s fellowship focuses on answering critical questions about the best use of immune treatments for MS and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). MS is the most common autoimmune disease affecting the brain and spinal cord. Over the past two decades, treatments targeting the immune system have proven highly effective in reducing inflammation and preventing MS-related damage. Despite these advances, gaps remain in managing specific scenarios where evidence from randomised-controlled trials is lacking.  This includes situations like pregnancy planning, which is particularly relevant as MS is more common in women and deciding on an approach when treatments such as ocrelizumab need to be discontinued.
MOGAD, a newly defined autoimmune condition, is distinct from MS. MS treatments appear ineffective for MOGAD, emphasising the importance of accurate diagnosis. Currently, there are no established treatment guidelines for MOGAD, and it is unclear whether starting treatment early improves outcomes, as it does in MS.
Dr. Yeh will analyse high-quality data from specialist MS and MOGAD clinics, leveraging the MSBase International Registry, a global database of information about people with MS. For MOGAD research, Dr. Yeh will collaborate with the University of Oxford, a centre of excellence in MOGAD studies.
The fellowship aims to provide practical insights into using immune therapies for MS and MOGAD, focusing on preventing relapses and disability. These findings will have immediate applications in improving clinical care for people living with these conditions.
$225,000
2025
3 years
Current project