This national cohorte is one of the largest Multiple Sclerosis (MS) clinical research databases in Europe and North America. It was established in 2012 and aims to better understand the mechanisms of MS disease based on standardised and high-quality long-term observation of clinical, MRI and biomarker parameters. The researcher's focus is on the development of clinically applicable diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in everyday clinical practice for improved medical treatment of those directly affected.

The research focus of SMSC is the development of biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and individualised thearpy choice in MS. For example, NfL (Neurofilament light chain), a component of the neural cytoskeleton, has been established as a sensitive measure of MS disease activity (Serum Neurofilament Light Chain Reference App).

Conventional and ‘next-generation’ MRI measurements, together with laboratory and digital biomarkers, are helping to ensure that treatment options for MS can be increasingly personalised. The working group has taken a leading role in establishing GFAP (Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein) as the first prognostic serum marker for disease progression (Serum Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) Reference App) and is using state-of-the-art methods to search for further biomarkers. The SMSC understands research as a translational process – from the discovery of new biomarkers to their clinical implementation.