Active clinical trials for "Multiple Sclerosis"

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Its main feature is progressive demyelination, which ultimately leads to axon damage and neuron loss. MR is the main imaging technique in the current diagnostic criteria of MS. The conventional MR sequence recommended in this diagnostic criteria has high sensitivity for detecting demyelination and axon damage, but has poor specificity, which makes disease modification therapy (DMT) blind, and it is also difficult to accurately determine the long-term prognosis. PET is a non-invasive molecular imaging technology that can quantitatively monitor physiological or pathological processes in vivo. 18F-labeled thioflavin derivative probe (18F-florbetapir) can bind to myelin basic protein in the white matter, providing quantitative assessment of myelin content. Our preliminary studies have confirmed that the uptake of 18F-florbetapir in MS lesions is significantly related to the myelin content measured by histological staining. Therefore, 18F-florbetapir PET may be a very effective myelin imaging technology. Advanced MR sequence such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can evaluate axonal damage by analyzing neuronal activity marker N-acetyl aspartate (NAA). The new whole-brain fast 3D MRS sequence breaks through the bottleneck of low signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution of the current MRS sequence, and provides a reliable method for obtaining neuronal activity markers in the three-dimensional space of MS sporadic lesions in the whole brain. Integrated PET/MR makes PET detector implant in the MR magnet, which realizes the simultaneous acquisition of PET and MR in one scan, ensuring the high consistency of the two modes. This makes it possible to simultaneously analyze PET and MRS quantitative parameters in multiple and different sizes of MS lesions, that is, to obtain two different pathological features of demyelination and neuronal damage. Separating these two pathological changes will help to more accurately and quantitatively evaluate the efficacy of DMT, program selection and prognostic judgment. This project intends to recruit 30 MS patients between 18-65 years old, and 30 healthy volunteers with matched age and sex as normal controls. PET/MR imaging, serological examination and cerebrospinal fluid testing and scale evaluation will be performed. The aim of this project is to planned to establish a new imaging evaluation technology for accurate diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of MS.

Purpose of study is to determine safety and efficacy of use of autologous Adipose-Derived cellular Stromal Vascular Fraction (AD-cSVF) suspended in Normal Saline and delivered via intravascular system of quality of life and alteration of documented Muscular Sclerosis (MS) and related neurodegenerative patients. It is believed that the heterogeneous cell population which includes multipotent stem/stromal cells are capable of immune modulation/inflammatory modulation properties. Exam of disease progression and quality of life changes will be evaluated.

This research sub-study is being completed as a part of the Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of PEGylated Interferon Beta-1a (BIIB017) in Subjects with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (Protocol #: NA_00028117). This substudy is being done to understand the efficacy of BIIB017 by measuring the nerve fiber thickness in the eye.

Study to evaluate efficacy of fingolimod in patients with neutralizing antibodies over 12 months

The hypothesis is that 95% pure EGCG can protect brain cells in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. To test this hypothesis we are going to compare the changes in n-Acetyl-Aspartate (a chemical that reflects the number of neurons and their metabolism) over one six between people with MS treated with EGCG at a dose of 400mg twice a day and people with MS treated with a matching sugar pill.

This is a prospective, randomized, multicenter, dose escalation study to determine subject safety, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic responses in patients with SPMS

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel (DSTG) on injection site reaction following self-administer glatiramer acetate in people with Multiple Sclerosis.

People with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) often experience 'foot-drop' which means that the foot is not adequately lifted during the so-called swing phase (foot is off the ground) during walking which can lead to trips and falls. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to the shin muscles will aid lifting of the foot and therefore reduces the risk of trips and falls. There have been several studies showing the benefits of FES to the walking of pwMS. The proposed study aims to optimise the FES prescription and fitting care pathway for pwMS in Edinburgh and the Lothians This will be achieved firstly through a survey to all clients with MS in the last 5 years who have been regarded as suitable for FES. Secondly, a pilot study will assess the suitability of the use of simple clinical measurement (electrogoniometry) which will allow the measurement of the degree of foot-drop. The degree is foot drop is usually assessed by the physiotherapist using visual observation. Using a small device which can be quickly fitted to the patient's lower and foot for the duration of a 2-6 minute walk, the physiotherapist will be able to quantify the degree of foot drop over time. Such a measurement is especially important for people with MS who are often affected by increased mental and physical fatigue. Our first hypothesis is that the degree of foot-drop at the end of the walk is increased compared to the start of the walk. Secondly, we hypothesise that the degree of foot drop is less when the participant walks with the assistance of Functional Electrical Stimulation at their next clinical appointment.

The purpose of this study is to determine if high-dose cyclophosphamide followed by a maintenance dose of glatiramer acetate is safe in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). The investigators hypothesize that institution of glatiramer acetate treatment following high-dose cyclophosphamide treatment will extend the period of disease free activity and further reduce the disability in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. The investigators plan to investigate the properties of glatiramer acetate against the recurrence of MS disease activity following high dose cyclophosphamide induced cessation detectable autoimmunity. The investigators hypothesize that glatiramer acetate, given in the phase of immune reconstitution after high-dose cyclophosphamide, may bias the immune system to a more tolerated state, thus leading to more stable and potentially permanent remissions.

This is a double blind, randomized, parallel group design placebo-controlled mono-center study. Patients will be evaluated within twelve months of CIS onset. Patients with at least 2 silent ovoid T2 bright areas in the deep white matter on their clinic brain MRI scan will be offered participation in the study. Patients will be randomized to oral riluzole or placebo (1:1). Patient will take 50 mg of riluzole or placebo once a day for one month. If 50 mg once a day is well tolerated, patients will then go on 50 mg twice daily for the rest of the study. They will start Avonex (Interferon beta 1a) therapy 30 mcg IM once weekly 3 months after study drug (riluzole or placebo) is initiated if their liver function has remained normal. Forty patients within twelve months of onset CIS onset will be enrolled at UCSF MS Center. Patients will be evaluated every month for the first 12 months and every three months thereafter for a total study duration of 24-month. Enrollment period will last six months.