There has been much controversy in the press recently about the pros and cons of stem cell research. Because the media plays such a prominent role in conveying reports on current advances, the debate about stem cells is often based on a lack of accurate and unbiased information.

Stories of miraculous recovery from MS are familiar to everyone. Stem cell therapies that are not exposed to scientific scrutiny and that prey on people’s often desperate search for a cure, are dangerous and unethical.

Research "news" presents us with prospects that require us to improve our understanding of the latest direction the research is guiding us into, with each fact demanding further examination and scrutiny.

This issue of MS in focus on stem cells and remyelination in MS comes at a time when the MS community is full of hope and purpose, and some uncertainty as well. Understanding research involving stem cells is complicated. In this issue of MS in focus we have brought together leading scientists who present a comprehensible picture of what is known about stem cells at this time, and of where the efforts of scientists around the world are focused. Our hope is that the content of this issue will provide readers with a better understanding of how progress in research is bringing us closer to new therapeutic strategies for people with MS.

We hope this issue helps readers understand the immense effort involved in stem cell research, in terms of standards of excellence, scientific rigour, quality control, monitoring and reporting; standards that are indispensable if stem cell therapy is ever to become a real choice for helping people with MS.

On behalf of the Editorial Board, I would like to thank Dr Gianvito Martino for his assistance in bringing together the authors of issue 11 and for his help in ensuring that the content covers the most relevant issues in stem cell research in MS.

I look forward to receiving your comments.

Michele Messmer Uccelli, Editor