http://www.abc.net.au/news/state/tas/archive/mettas-29aug2001-10.htm

Wed, 29 Aug 2001 8:26 AEST

The possibility of links between the environment and its effect on sufferers of Multiple Sclerosis will be investigated in a new study at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

The work is to be undertaken by Dr Fotini Pittas, who has recieved this year's 150- thousand dollar Dick Buttfield Medical Fellowship.

Dr Pittas says it makes sense to base her studies in Tasmania.

"We've got the highest incidence and prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in Australia. It could be a multiple of factors, and that's what research is currently trying to discover... whether they are primarily environmental or genetic, or a mixture of both.

"Certainly if you look at worldwide fiigures, the prevalence and incidence of MS increases the further away you get from the equator," Dr. Pittas said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newslink/weekly/newsnat-29aug2001-28.htm

Wed, 29 Aug 2001 7:37 AEST

There is to be a study in Australia into the effect of environmental factors on Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

The study involving 250 people will investigate the impact nutrition, diet, medication and even the contraceptive pill have on MS sufferers.

Study leader Dr Fotini Pittas from the Royal Hobart Hospital says while there are large MS studies underway overseas, hers involves more than just monitoring sufferers.

"This'll probably be the first one to specifically look at various environmental factors and their influence on progression, rather than just observing the disease over time and not comparing it or trying to correlate any progression to any other factors in the surrounding area," she said.