Two renowned scientists, Stephen Hauser and Alberto Ascherio, have been awarded the prestigious Breakthrough Prize for their groundbreaking research on multiple sclerosis (MS). The prize, often referred to as the “Oscars of science,” recognizes outstanding achievements in life sciences and medicine.
Hauser’s work on MS began over 45 years ago, when he met a young patient who was severely affected by the disease. This encounter sparked his lifelong quest to find treatments for MS. Despite facing numerous setbacks, including a federal agency dismissing his team’s research, Hauser persevered. His team successfully recreated the damage caused by MS in monkeys and found that treatments targeting B cells led to a significant reduction in brain inflammation.
Ascherio’s work focused on understanding why MS is more prevalent in certain regions. He discovered a link between MS and the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common infection that causes infectious mononucleosis. While his research doesn’t explain why MS occurs, it offers hope for new treatments and preventive measures.
The Breakthrough Prize recognizes Hauser’s and Ascherio’s decades-long dedication to understanding MS and its potential connection to viral infections. Their work has the potential to impact not only MS but also other neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and ALS.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-multiple-sclerosis-oscars-science.html