The primary focus of Dr. Amezcua’s research involves defining racial disparities in multiple sclerosis, with an emphasis on differences in disease expression and progression in individuals of Hispanic descent. Her studies are designed to identify symptoms of MS at diagnosis, disease subtype and progression, and response to standard disease modifying treatments. In addition, she plans to address the influence of migration, environmental and genetic factors on MS in this population. Her studies have excellent potential to lead to new insights into the factors influencing disease in all patients afflicted with MS. A second focus of Dr. Amezcua’s research is in the use of new imaging techniques to assess progression of disease in patients with multiple sclerosis. Specifically, she is interesting in using optical coherence tomography (OCT) to monitor degenerative changes in the retina as an indicator of similar changes in the brain and spinal cord.
