Silvia Messina

I have extensive research experience in the field of demyelinating diseases, with involvement in neuroepidemiology, clinical research, and neuroimaging studies in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), and MOG-Ab associated disease (MOGAD).

I graduated and trained as a neurologist at the University of Catania, Italy, where I also served as a clinical lecturer for the Multiple Sclerosis service. I have a background in neuroimmunology and previously worked as a research fellow at Harvard Medical School, where I gained valuable laboratory experience and developed new technical skills. This enhanced my understanding of the neuroimmunological processes underlying MS.

I later served as the clinical NMO fellow in the Oxford NMO service, where I was involved in the management of one of the largest global cohorts of NMOSD-AQP4, MOGAD, and seronegative NMOSD patients.

During my DPhil, I investigated the use of conventional and non-conventional MRI to characterise patterns of tissue damage in MS, MOGAD, and NMOSD-AQP4, and examined their correlation with physical and cognitive disability.

Currently, I am an honorary consultant for the MS Clinical Trials Unit, acting as both investigator and principal investigator for interventional and observational studies in MS, NMOSD-AQP4, and MOGAD.

My research focuses on the use of non-conventional MRI in NMOSD and MOGAD, aiming to define their pathogenesis and explore clinical and laboratory correlates. I am particularly interested in the translational potential of this work to improve clinical care.

I actively support research within the NMO service and am involved in the development and enhancement of the patient database. One of the main goals is to establish a clinical-imaging platform that integrates imaging from multiple sites, facilitating research into these rare conditions.

I participate in several international collaborations. Notably, I am a member of the International Panel for NMO Diagnosis (IPND) task force as a neuroimaging expert, contributing to the development of the 2025 NMOSD diagnostic criteria. I am also part of the European NMO (MEDEN) group, working to establish a minimal European dataset for NMOSD and MOGAD. Since 2016, I have been a member of the MAGNIMS network (Magnetic Resonance Imaging in MS), contributing to collaborative MRI studies using data from our NMOSD/MOGAD/MS Oxford MRI cohort.

In addition, I work as a neurology consultant at Frimley Health Foundation Trust, providing neurological care for MS and acute neurology patients.

Since August 2023, I have been part of the neuroscience teaching faculty at the University of Oxford Medical School. I serve as a bedside tutor, OSCE examiner, and facilitator in “patient-expert sessions.”

Finally, I am a member of the Oxford Brain Bank Access and Management Committees, representing demyelinating diseases.