History of the International Pediatric MS Study Group

The IPMSSG arose from an invitational meeting supported by the National MS Society in 2004. Subsequent meetings revealed a strong desire to build an international collaborative association of interested clinicians and researchers. In 2007, a charter was developed, which was revised in 2013 and again in 2016 to meet the needs of the evolving and expanding membership.

 

The Study Group initially involved a few dozen individuals but it has expanded consistently each year and is currently comprised of  about 150 active voluntary members from 41 countries who are involved in clinical care, educational efforts, or research in pediatric demyelinating diseases. The governance of the Study Group is led by a Steering Committee of nine members, elected by the global membership.

 

Support and Funding

In the first decade of its activity the IPMSSG received financial support in varying amounts from national MS societies in these countries: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Holland, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the United States. From 2007 – 2015 the MS International Federation in London provided financial and administrative support and served as the operational base for the Study Group. Beginning in 2016, the MS Cure Fund, based in Boston, entered into a funding partnership with the IPMSSG which will enable the group to continue to have administrative and operational support. The IPMSSG remains independent of any one funding source and pursues funding from multiple sources to undertake its activities.