Interdisciplinary networking of medical knowledge
The disease-oriented Competence Network Multiple Sclerosis (Kompetenznetz Multiple Sklerose – KKNMS) is one of 21 nationwide medical competence networks funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research. These networks all aim to bring together researchers on a national and interdisciplinary level to work on the specific disease entities, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care.
Multiple sclerosis is at present not curable, and it is also a disease with significant socioeconomic impact: the latest statistics for Germany show that approximately 130,000 people are affected by the disease, two-thirds of whom are women. Despite major research efforts the cause and form of disease progression in MS are still not adequately understood. It is the aim of the KKNMS to change this, as well as to improve diagnostics and treatment.
The members of an international board of experts have chosen for the first funding phase up to 2012 three research networks:For the most important overarching questions and issues within the network the following workgroups, so-called task forces, have been set up:
- IT management
- CNS pathology
- Imaging
- Biobanking
- Registry
The network’s infrastructure is presently being established. The first measure was to set up an administrative office for the KKNMS which also serves as the network headquarters. This office is located in Munich.
