BACKGROUND


MISSION

The Multiple Sclerosis Cooperative Research Group (MS-CORE) is a consortium of investigators from academic and research centers who are committed to the cooperative planning, implementation, analysis, and reporting of multicenter clinical research for multiple sclerosis and related disorders. The mission of MS-CORE is to foster multicenter investigator-led clinical research improving care for patients with MS and leading to greater understanding of the disease and its pathogenesis. MS-CORE is committed to the ideals of full and open scientific communication, peer review, full disclosure of potential conflicts of interest, and democratic governance.


GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• investigators will have a leading role in developing the research agenda, including the selection of projects and specific aims,
  
  
• investigators will direct all aspects of study planning, implementation, analysis, and reporting, including investigator authorship of study protocols and management of study data,
  
  
• investigators will interact directly with independent safety monitoring boards for each study,
  
  
• investigators will analyze study results with free and unrestricted right to publish,
  
  
• the impact of potential conflicts of interest will be minimized through rules specifying prohibitions, limitations, and required disclosures applicable to all MS-CORE activities
  
  
• MS-CORE will have democratic governance with equal opportunity to participate in site and leadership activities, and
  
  
• MS-CORE will establish formal procedures for all activities to promote due process.