Vitamin D and multiple sclerosis have been linked for decades, but how strong is the evidence – and what does it mean for clinical practice?

In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Prof. Eric Thouvenot from University Hospital of Nimes and Dr. Deborah Mason from Christchurch Hospital about the evolving science behind vitamin D and MS.

Together, they explore:

• Why vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased MS risk
• The influence of latitude, sunlight exposure and genetics
• How vitamin D affects immune regulation and inflammation
• Findings from recent vitamin D supplementation trials

As researchers continue to investigate vitamin D's role in MS, this episode provides a balanced look at what we know, what remains uncertain, and what it means for patient care.

In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, recorded in collaboration with the Multiple Sclerosis Journal "Controversies in MS" series, host Prof. Anneke van der Walt moderates a discussion between Prof. Andy Solomon and Prof. Enrique Gómez on one of the most debated developments in modern multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

Together, they explore:

• Why misdiagnosis remains a major challenge in MS care
• The role of the central vein sign (CVS) and paramagnetic rim lesions (PRLs) in improving specificity
• Whether expanding diagnostic sensitivity may increase false positives
• The practical realities of implementing advanced MRI biomarkers globally
• The importance of radiology training, implementation science, and AI-assisted imaging
• How clinicians should approach MRI interpretation in real-world practice

This conversation examines the balance between earlier diagnosis, diagnostic accuracy, and equitable implementation of emerging diagnostic tools across different healthcare settings.

This episode is part of the MS Journal Controversies in MS series on The revised 2024 McDonald criteria can solve the misdiagnosis problem in MS. The accompanying Yes, No, and Commentary articles are available to read open access for the next month, compliments of MS Journal.

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) has become one of the most intensely studied topics in multiple sclerosis research. But how strong is the evidence linking EBV to MS, and could targeting the virus change the future of treatment and prevention?

In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond speaks with Prof. Gavin Giovannoni and Prof. Tomas Olsson about the evolving science connecting infections, immunity and multiple sclerosis.

Together, they explore:

• Molecular mimicry and how EBV proteins may trigger autoimmune responses
• Whether EBV contributes to chronic CNS inflammation and disease progression
• Emerging therapeutic approaches including antivirals, CAR-T cells, and vaccines

This conversation examines one of the most important scientific questions in MS research and the therapeutic possibilities that may emerge from it.