PATIENTS battling with MS were hearing more about the revolutionary research taking place in the East End at a conference on Saturday. Around 300 patients and their families gathered at the Royal London s Blizzard Building in Whitechapel to receive an u

PATIENTS battling with MS were hearing more about the revolutionary research taking place in the East End at a conference on Saturday.

Around 300 patients and their families gathered at the Royal London's Blizzard Building in Whitechapel to receive an update on the latest research on multiple sclerosis as well as to meet fellow sufferers.

Neurologists from Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry are leading a host of different drug trials and surveys involving around 100 sufferers from across east London in a bid to improve the treatment for the disease.

And as part of the research being led by Professor Giovannoni, neurologists are looking at ways cannabis can reduce spasms and pain and surveying patients about their attitudes towards `end of life' choices.

Prof Giovannoni added: "MS is a complicated disease as a lot of people do not understand it.

"And those with MS do not really have a forum for engaging with others while they are taking part in the research.

"But the conference on Saturday was a way of communicating with them and keeping them up to date on the latest research.