The Power of Laughter
The MS Stand Up comedy show, organized by the Mind Brain Foundation, was a resounding success, starring Tom Papa, Jim Gaffigan, and Michelle Charlesworth. The event brought laughter and awareness together, raising significant funds to support cutting-edge MS research at Weill Cornell. Guests were inspired not only by the comedy but also by the real stories of patients and the groundbreaking science their contributions help advance.
Where’s the Money Going?
This year, MS Stand Up is raising funds to support the research of Dr. Yinghua Ma at Weill Cornell Medicine, who’s investigating a surprising new lead in the search for the causes of multiple sclerosis (MS): a gut bacteria toxin called epsilon toxin, or ETX.
Dr. Ma’s research has shown that people with MS often carry gut bacteria that produce this toxin — and it may be doing real damage.
In lab models, ETX breaks down the blood-brain barrier — the brain’s natural defense wall — allowing harmful immune cells to slip in and attack myelin, the protective coating around nerves. Even without the immune system’s help, ETX alone can harm the cells that make myelin.
In brain tissue experiments, simply adding ETX caused measurable damage. And in mouse studies, giving animals antibodies to block ETX kept them healthier. The takeaway? ETX could be a trigger for MS in some people — and that opens up an entirely new approach to treatment.
Dr. Ma’s team is now working on therapies that block ETX and exploring ways to repair the damage it causes.
This research could shift the focus of MS care — from just managing symptoms to preventing the disease altogether.
