BOFFINS at the University of the West of Scotland are to help spearhead research into multiple sclerosis.

The Paisley-based uni is one of six selected for ground-breaking studies backed by the Scottish Government.

It will mean the creation of four new science jobs – two funded by Holyrood and the others by UWS.

Staff at UWS will work with colleagues at universities in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrews to carry out research into multiple sclerosis (MS) and motor neurone disease (MND), which effect thousands of Scots each year.

Dr Nicholas Sculthorpe, of the Institute of Clinical Exercise and Health Science at UWS, will lead the PhD studentships in multiple sclerosis.

He said: “We are delighted to be receiving funding for PhD studentships from the Scottish Government and to be advancing our important work in the field of multiple sclerosis.”

The partnership between the Scottish Government and the six universities will deliver a total of 16 new Phd studentships in MS and MND.

It is hoped the work done at UWS will benefit patients across Scotland and around the world.

MS is twice as common in women as men and usually starts between the ages of 20 and 50. It can cause blindness, muscle weakness and co-ordination problems.

Life expectancy is, on average, five to 10 years shorter than those without the disease.

Morna Simpkins, director of the MS Society Scotland, said: “This new PhD funding will help us gain a better understanding of a neurological condition affecting over 11,000 people in Scotland.

“MS is an unpredictable condition that can affect the way we feel, think and see.

“It is a really exciting time for research into MS and the MS Society is delighted to see that Scotland will remain an essential part of the global network coming together to tackle MS.”

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “I’m delighted our partnership with Scotland’s world-class universities will deliver 16 new Phd studentships in these neurological conditions.

“The exciting new Phd programme being hosted by the University of Edinburgh exceeds the plans we set out in our programme for government.

“This programme offers a unique opportunity to develop an integrated national Phd training programme recognising the shared underlying biological mechanisms in MND and MS.

“Once again, Scotland is leading the way in clinical research and innovation.

“I look forward to hearing about the progress the students make and how their work might benefit patients across Scotland and around the world.”

MND Scotland chief executive Craig Stockton said: “This investment in Phd studentships is extremely welcome and follows on from our manifesto call.

“By attracting and developing outstanding young clinicians and scientists into the MND field we hope to build MND research capacity within Scotland and create the future scientific leaders in the field.

“The more research we can undertake into MND the quicker we will find the cause, the better our care will be and ultimately, the closer we will get to finding a cure.”