Collaborative epidemiology: From concept to execution

Genes, environment and the interaction thereof are widely indicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility and pathobiology. MS is now being increasingly recognized in immigrants from “low risk ” to “high risk ” regions. Thus there is great interest in characterizing the MS phenotype and genotype for various Pan-Asian ethnic groups and in comparing MS immigrants who develop MS after migration to those of the same ethnicity who remain in the low risk regions. Much of what we have learned about the genetics, genetic epidemiology, environmental risk factors, roles of genes in disease susceptibility and resistance, clinical course, and progress, all important for better understanding the disease susceptibility, pathogenesis and natural history has come from longitudinal, multicentred research projects including the Canadian Collaborative Project on Genetic Susceptibility to MS (CCPGSMS). Now that the Pan-Asian Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (PACTRIMS) has had its inaugural meeting and the Registry of Asian Pacific Idiopathic Demyelination (RAPID) study is in progress, it is critical that collaborative endeavors must be organized and standardized to allow comparison of findings not only within Pan-Asian regions but also with data from other countries to which persons from these regions have migrated. This article focus on lessons learned in conducting the Canadian Collaborative Project on Genetic Susceptibility to MS (CCPGSMS) which will hopefully facilitate the collaborative endeavours planned for the Pan-Asian region. Neurology Asia 2008; 13: 147 – 15