Srinagar, May 8: A major multicentre study expanding scientific understanding of central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disorders has been published in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia. The multicentre study from India has been led from SKIMS Soura, with Prof Ravouf Asimi as principal investigator.
The study, Prof Asimi while speaking to Greater Kashmir said, is a result of rigorous years of research, spanning over decades, about multiple sclerosis and related disorders. He said just a couple of decades ago, when he joined SKIMS Soura, multiple sclerosis was thought to be inexistent in Kashmir. “No patients had been diagnosed with this disorder, which we now know affects Kashmir much more than rest of India,” he said. He said studies had shown that multiple sclerosis and other demylenating disorders are more common in young females of Kashmir than in other states. “We follow similar epidemiology as Europe. We have identified some causes, but more intensive research is underway,” he said.
The study published in The Lancet, the most reputed medical science journal, has highlighted India’s growing role in understanding of neurological diseases. With notable contributions from Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, the study is part of the Indian Multiple Sclerosis and Allied Demyelinating Disorders Registry and Research Network (IMSRN) Cohort (2021–2025). It is one of the largest prospective registry-based studies on CNS demyelinating disorders conducted in India. The study enrolled 4,976 patients across multiple centres between August 2021 and October 2025, resulting in creation of the largest real-world datasets on neurological conditions.
Prof Asimi is a Professor in the Department of Neurology at SKIMS. His team contributed data on 135 patients from J&K, including 49 males and 86 females. This reflects the higher prevalence of the disease among women. The findings are consistent with global trends in autoimmune neurological diseases.
Prof Asimi said although awareness regarding the disease has increased, he still sees patients who have been misdiagnosed for years. “Some get treatment for stroke or other newur-conditions. It is imperative that a person with sudden onset of a neuro-weakness is evaluated by a neurologist,” he said. He said the fact that many teenage females get affected makes it more pressing to have a better and more timely diagnosis.
Multiple Sclerosis and allied demyelinating disorders are chronic neurological conditions in which the protective covering of nerves (myelin) in the brain and spinal cord gets affected. This could lead to a range of symptoms including vision problems, weakness and sensory disturbances. In addition, patients may have balance difficulties. Prof Asimi underlined that treatment of the condition is possible and SKIMS Soura is one of the best Centres in India to treat patients. “Patients sometimes are sent outside J&K, when they can get treatment here,” he said.
The IMSRN study has focused on demographic profiles, clinical presentation, radiological findings, and treatment patterns of patients. The SKIMS centre’s active participation has provided valuable insights into the burden and spectrum of CNS demyelinating disorders in the Indian population. This could pave the way for improved diagnosis, better management strategies, and future therapeutic advancements.
