Active clinical trials for "Multiple Sclerosis"

Deficits in new learning and memory in MS are a major complaint of patients, and have been noted to be a significant contributor to disability by numerous researchers. Modafinil is a psychostimulant medication, FDA approved for the treatment of Narcolepsy, with potential application for the treatment of learning and memory dysfunction in MS. This randomized clinical trial tests the efficacy of Modafinil for the treatment of new learning and memory deficits in MS. Twenty subjects with clinically definite MS and objectively documented new learning impairment will be included in the study. All subjects will undergo baseline neuropsychological testing and EDSS to document current levels of functioning in new learning and memory abilities. Subjects will then be randomly assigned to either group 1 or group 2. Group 1 (n=10) will first undergo treatment with Modafinil (200 mg once per day in the morning) for 2 weeks. They will then undergo follow-up neuropsychological assessment and follow-up EDSS to evaluate any medication effects. After the follow-up evaluation, there will be a washout period of one week in which no medication will be administered. Group 1 will then receive a placebo medication for 2 weeks. A second follow-up evaluation will be conducted following this latter arm of the study. Group 2 (n=10) will follow the same pattern, but will receive the placebo medication during the first arm of the study and Modafinil during the 2nd arm of the study. The subjects and the experimenter administering the neuropsychological evaluation will be blind to group membership.

This is a phase IV, multicenter, randomized, double blind clinical trial. The investigators will study 48 patients with remitting relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) experiencing moderate or severe attack receiving immunomodulatory therapy or not. Patients will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system that progressively weakens and destroys the pathways of the nervous system. About 10 percent to 15 percent of patients develop primary-progressive MS (PP-MS), characterized by progressive accumulation of disability from the disease onset, without any marked improvements or relapses. There are currently no effective treatments for PP-MS. Idebenone is a manmade drug that is similar to a naturally occurring compound known as coenzyme Q10, a common dietary supplement. Research data suggest that idebenone may be able to limit demyelination and death of brain cells and thereby slow or halt the progression of neurological dysfunction such as that occurring in MS. Objectives: - To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of using idebenone to treat primary progressive MS. Eligibility: - Individuals between 18 and 65 years of age who have been diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Design: The study will last 3 years and will be divided into two parts: a 1-year pretreatment baseline and 2 years of treatment with either idebenone or a placebo. Pre-treatment study: approximately 5 clinic visits over 1 year. Visit 1: Comprehensive medical history and neurological examination, with brain scans and neurological tests. Visit 2: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the spine and lymphocytapheresis (withdrawal of white blood cells for testing). Visit 3: Lumbar puncture. Visit 4: Skin biopsy. Visit 5: Repeat MRI of the brain and spinal cord, as well as neurological tests; these tests will be scheduled over 2 days. After the five pretreatment visits, patients will receive a 6-month supply of study medication (either idebenone or a placebo) to take three times a day with food Patients will continue to have regular followup clinic visits with brain MRI scans, blood tests, and other evaluations of brain and nervous system function. Randomly selected participants will have additional MRI scans for further safety precautions.

This is a randomized, rater blinded trial in patients who interrupt treatment with natalizumab with or without being treated with other immunomodulatory drugs, or continue treatment with natalizumab. The main purpose of this study is to find out the following, when participants stop taking natalizumab for 24 weeks: when MS symptoms return, and if other drugs for MS may help control MS symptoms during the natalizumab-interruption period. This study will also explore how quickly the effects of natalizumab return after resuming natalizumab dosing.

A randomized, multi-center, double-blind, proof-of-concept study to assess the effect of multiple infusions of AIN457 (10 mg/kg) versus placebo on disease activity as measured by MRI scans over a 24 week period in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

This open-label extension study will evaluate the long-term safety of glatiramer acetate and its effect on the neurologic course of participants with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Participants have scheduled visits every 3 months to assess glatiramer acetate safety and their Multiple Sclerosis (MS) status.

The effects of routine rehabilitation in MS patients versus no rehabilitation.

Therapeutic strategies for multiple sclerosis (MS) are essentially based on the use of immunomodulatory agents such as interferon b and glatirmere acetate, but their efficacy is quite limited, they are not well tolerated and they have a very high cost. Recent works showed an immunomodulatory effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (the so-called "statins"). In experimental allergic encephalopathy, a murine model of MS, statins inhibit the onset and progression of the disease through a shift from Th1 towards Th2 cytokine production. Other in vitro studies suggest the ability of statins to inhibit the lymphocyte migration through the blood brain barrier. Furthermore, in an open labeled human study in MS, statin regimen was associated with a decreased lesional activity assessed by MRI. Statins are well tolerated drugs, used for many years, with a low cost and with a putative efficacy in MS. The investigators suggest to test the pravastatin safety and efficacy on MRI criteria in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 40 patients with a relapsing-remitting MS.

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the efficacy, in terms of disease progression, of high-dose cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation with T lymphocyte-depleted autologous peripheral blood stem cell or bone marrow rescue in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the nervous system. The exact cause of MS is unknown, but it is believed to be an autoimmune condition. Autoimmune conditions are diseases that cause the body's immune system and natural defenses to attack healthy cells. In the case of MS, the immune system begins attacking myelin, the cells that make up the sheath covering nerves. Without myelin nerves are unable to transmit signals effectively and symptoms occur. Researchers are interested in testing the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of a new therapy (CGP77116) for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). CGP77116 is a small protein similar to the protein in myelin. CGP77116 is designed to modify the immune reaction that destroys normal myelin. CGP77116 is an experimental therapy meaning it has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, in preliminary studies on animal it has been shown to be effective at modifying the autoimmune reaction associated with the development of MS. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and effect of CGP77116 on disease activity in patients with Multiple Sclerosis as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and immunological studies. The study is broken into three parts: I) BASELINE: in the first part of the study patients will undergo 6 MRIs over a 5 month period. During this time, patients will be evaluated based on the presence of MS lesions seen on MRI. Patients whose MS lesions are highly active will be entered into the second part of the study. II) TREATMENT: in the second part of the study, patients with active MS lesions will begin receiving CGP77116. The drug will be given by injection once a week for one month and then once a month for 8 additional months. III) FOLLOW-UP: in the third and final part of the study, patients will undergo an MRI every 2 months for 6 months and then every 3 months for 6 additional months. The results of the MRIs will be used to measure the effectiveness of CGP77116.