Patient involvement with research design
Have a look at some of the patient partner groups (PPGs) that we have held below
The most important way that patients help with our research is by reporting about their experiences living with the condition, by completing TONiC questionnaire packs. The second invaluable contribution is by taking part in one of our events to shape future research. Information on how to join these is in our Patient Partner Group (PPG) meetings or newsletters.
Most of our Patient Partner Groups are attended online, if you would like to join online after being sent an invite, please find instructions on how to use Microsoft Teams here
Open to recruitment for MS and MND
Patient Partner Group (PPG) with Professor Young, The Walton Centre:
Patient Partner Group event asking participants to help design a sub-study looking at the impact of supported exercise on MS outcomes (MS ONLY)
Closed to new recruitment
Dr Tara Kidd, Liverpool John Moores University:
Dr Ben Buckley, Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Liverpool, & Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital:
Research undertaken by Dr Ben Buckley's research team has contributed to several publications exploring cardiovascular health in people with MS. These studies examined cardiovascular events, the impact of mental and cardiovascular comorbidities, and the relationship between vitamin D and cardiovascular outcomes in MS, helping to improve understanding of long-term health risks and supporting more personalised care for people living with MS.
Please publications below:
France-Ratcliffe M, Harrison SL, Verma LA, McDowell G, Abdul-Rahim AH, McCallum L, Young CA, Buckley BJ. Incidence and associated outcomes of major adverse cardiovascular events in multiple sclerosis versus rheumatoid arthritis. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. 2026 Aug 26:107674.
France-Ratcliffe M, Harrison SL, Verma LA, Abdul-Rahim AH, McCallum L, McDowell G, Young CA, Buckley BJR. Comparative impact of mental and cardiovascular comorbidities on adverse outcomes in people with MS. Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 2026; 488: 126007, doi: org/10.1016/j.jns.2026.126007. Epub 2026 May 16.
France-Ratcliffe M, Harrison SL, Verma LA, Abdul-Rahim AH, McCallum L, Young CA, McDowell G, Buckley BJ. Vitamin D and cardiovascular outcomes in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2024 Nov 3;92:106155. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.106155. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39522463.
Dr Sharmilee Gnanapavan, St Barts London:
Dr Tara Kidd, Liverpool John Moores University:
Co production event asking participants what an MS specific sleep app may include:
Dr Tara Kidd, Liverpool John Moores University:
Dr Tara Kidd, Liverpool John Moores University:
Dr Anna Auer-Fowler, University of Liverpool:
Dr Sophie James and the TONiC team will interview TONiC patients who agreed to a research lumbar puncture