Clinical trial results unveiled today at ACTRIMS Forum 2026 suggest that fenebrutinib may be a novel and effective treatment option for people living with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. In this exclusive episode providing the first expert discussion of the complete dataset, FENtrepid trial leads Prof. Amit Bar-Or (University of Pennsylvania) and Dr. Stephen Hauser (University of California San Francisco) break down what the fenebrutinib results really show. Together, they explore:

• Why BTK inhibition is uniquely positioned to address progressive MS biology
• How fenebrutinib compared to ocrelizumab in the Phase 3 FENtrepid PPMS trial
• What the data suggest for patients with non-relapsing, chronic disease

Listen for a deep dive into the science and the clinical implications.

Editorial Note:
At 21:49, the discussion refers to Müller cells. The correct term is Kupffer cells.

What role does the gut microbiome play in multiple sclerosis — and how close are we to translating microbiome research into meaningful clinical interventions?

In this episode of the ECTRIMS Podcast, host Brett Drummond is joined by Mahesh Desai (Luxembourg Institute of Health) and Ashutosh Mangalam (University of Iowa), two internationally recognised leaders in microbiome and MS research, to explore how gut microbes influence disease susceptibility, progression, and immune regulation in MS.

The discussion moves beyond simple "good vs bad bacteria" narratives, highlighting why microbial function, community structure, and host–microbiome dialogue are far more informative than individual taxa alone. The speakers examine evidence from animal models and human studies, including twin studies, microbial networks, and immune markers such as IgA coating, to understand whether microbiome changes are drivers or consequences of disease.

They also explore the potential of the gut microbiome as a predictive biomarker, the challenges of causality, and why diet and personalised approaches may be key to restoring immune balance in MS.

Cognitive change is one of the most common—and most misunderstood—symptoms of multiple sclerosis. In this episode, host Brett Drummond speaks with Dr. Vicki Levitt (Columbia University) and Dr. Tom Fuchs (MS Center Amsterdam) about the state of cognition research, why measurement still lags behind clinical need, and how new tools may change the field forever.