Active clinical trials for "Multiple Sclerosis"

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that may be caused by the immune system reacting against the nervous system. It is possible, that by changing the immune system we can modify the progression of this disease. In this study, we will try to learn whether treatment with a bone marrow transplant (BMT) can help patients with multiple sclerosis. We will also try to learn what the side effects are of this treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis.

The purpose of this study is to determine if natalizumab in combination with Glatiramer Acetate (GA) is safe and effective in delaying progression of individuals diagnosed with relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Changes in visual attention are common among elders and people with multiple sclerosis. The visual attention changes contribute to difficulty with day to day functioning including falls, driving and even finding one's keys on the kitchen counter as well as contributing to deficits in other cognitive domains. Yoga emphasizes the ability to focus attention and there is some evidence that the practice of yoga may improve one's cognitive abilities. Additionally, yoga practice may improve cognitive function through other non-specific means such as improved mood, decreased stress or declines in oxidative injury. We propose a randomized, controlled 6 month phase II trial of yoga in two separate cohorts: healthy elders and subjects with mild multiple sclerosis. We will determine if yoga intervention produces improvements on a broad attentional battery that especially emphasizes attentional control. To further understand the reported beneficial effect of yoga on its practitioners, we will also determine if there is a positive impact on measures directly related to yoga practice (flexibility and balance) as well as mood, quality of life and oxidative injury markers. The yoga intervention consists of a Hatha yoga class meeting twice per week. The class is taught by experienced yoga teachers who are supervised by a nationally known yoga instructor. There are two control groups. An exercise group will have a structured walking program prescribed by a certified Health and Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer. The program will attempt to match the Hatha yoga class for metabolic demand. The second control group will be assigned to a 6 month waiting list. The outcome measures are assessed at baseline and after the 6 month period. The primary outcome measures are alertness (quantitative EEG and self-rated scale), ability to focus attention (Stroop) and ability to shift attention (extradimensional set shifting task). Secondary attention outcome measures include the ability to sustain attention (decrement in reaction time) and ability to divide attention (Useful Field of View). Other secondary outcome measures include flexibility, balance, mood, quality of life, fatigue (in MS cohort) and decreased markers of lipid, protein, and DNA oxidative injury.

This study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effect of the drug Rolipram on multiple sclerosis (MS). It will examine whether Rolipram can dampen the part of the immune response believed to lead to MS and reduce disease activity. Patient with multiple sclerosis who are between the ages of 18 and 65 may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a complete neurological and medical evaluation. Participants will complete three study phases-baseline, treatment and follow-up, as follows: Baseline (3 months) - Approximately four magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans will be obtained to assess MS activity. Participants with MS activity above a certain level will continue with the treatment phase. Treatment (8 months) - Patients will take Rolipram tablets in increasing doses every 2 to 3 days for the first month of this phase until their individual maximum tolerated dose is established. Dosing will continue at that level for the rest of the treatment phase. Dosing is in the morning, midday and evening. Patients will be seen monthly in the clinic for examination and MRI scans. Follow-up - Participants will have monthly exams and MRIs for 3 months following the treatment phase, after which their participation in the study ends. Patients' monthly visits during treatment and follow-up include a neurological examination to assess disease status; MRI to assess brain changes; and blood and urine collection to monitor liver, kidney and other functions. In addition, a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is done during the last month of the baseline phase and one month after treatment ends to study changes in the spinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and leukapheresis is done once during the last month of the baseline phase and once during the last month of treatment to collect white blood cells for study. These procedures involve the following: MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves instead of X-rays to produce images showing structural and chemical changes in tissues. The patient lies on a table in a narrow cylinder (the scanner) containing a magnetic field and images are taken. A contrast agent called gadolinium is injected into a vein during the last set of images to help identify new lesions. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which is similar to MRI, is also done once during the baseline phase, at 4 months and at 8 months to measure brain chemicals. For the spinal tap, a local anesthetic is given and a needle is inserted in the space between the bones (vertebrae) in the lower back. About 2 tablespoons of fluid is collected through the needle. For leukapheresis, whole blood is collected through a needle placed in an arm vein. The blood circulates through a machine that separates it into its components. The white cells are removed and the red cells, platelets and plasma are returned to the body through a second needle placed in the other arm. Patients may also have studies to measure levels of Rolipram in the blood. These are done on study days 1 and 29 and at months 2, 4, and 6. For days 1 and 29, a catheter is placed in an arm vein and 4 ml. of blood is drawn immediately before the morning dose and at several intervals from 20 minutes to 6 hours after the dose. For the other tests, a single 4-ml sample is collected before the noon dose.

The primary objective of this study is to determine whether combination treatment (adding methylprednisolone to Avonex) reduces progression of disability over 4 years compared to Avonex alone. The study will also investigate whether combination therapy has any impact on the incidence of relapse and brain atrophy as measured by MRI.

The primary objective of the study is to assess the clinical efficacy of Rebif® 44 microgram (mcg) three times per week compared with Copaxone® 20 milligram (mg) daily in subjects with relapsing Multiple Sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of single and multiple doses of M-T412, a chimeric murine-human anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody, in patients with multiple sclerosis. II. Evaluate the pharmacokinetics of M-T412. III. Obtain preliminary data on the clinical response to M-T412.

The purpose of this 12-week, exploratory pilot clinical trial is to continuously and remotely assess a triad of bothersome multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms (BAM: bladder, ambulation, mood) and test the benefit of proactively treating these symptoms according to an evidence-based, multi-disciplinary, personalized protocol.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system which produces both motor and cognitive dysfunctions. MS causes a decline in the performance of activities of daily living (ADL) due to impairments affecting limb function. Aim: This pilot study sought to determine whether the use of mental practice (MP) or the combined use of MP and the training of manipulative skills would improve the manipulation motor skills and treatment satisfaction among people with MS. Methods: The study participants were people with MS. Blinded evaluators performed three assessments for each patient (pre-treatment, post-treatment and at a three month follow up). The patients were divided into three groups with alternate allocation: (A) Mental practice, (B) Mental practice + skills training and (C) Control group. Keywords: activities of daily living; manual dexterity; mental practice, motor image; multiple sclerosis.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) on the spatial and temporal gait parameters, electromyography (EMG), walking endurance, and quality of life in select individuals living with MS. The hypotheses of the study are: 1. Individuals who are fit with an AFO will demonstrate improvements in spatial and temporal gait parameters 2. Individuals who are fit with an AFO will demonstrate improvements in walking endurance. 3. Individuals who are fit with an AFO will demonstrate improvements in muscle firing profiles/EMG measures. 4. Individuals who are fit with an AFO will demonstrate improvements in quality of life.