Rituximab-Induced Hypogammaglobulinemia in Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple SclerosisHypogammaglobulinemiaB cells are considered major contributors to multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis, a role that has taken on renewed importance with the advent of B-cell-depleting therapies. Rituximab is being increasingly utilized as an off-label treatment option across MS patients . In addition, there have been increasing reports of rituximab causing hypogammaglobulinaemia and antibody deficiency across a variety of conditions including MS and related neuroinflammatory disorders. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the rate of hypogammaglobulinemia in rituximab-treated MS adult patients and to assess the correlation with vaccination response during the treatment.
MS Relapses During COVID-19 Pandemic
Multiple SclerosisCovid191 moreThroughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and to our knowledge there have been no studies looking systematically at the occurrence of MS relapses and their subsequent management, during the peak of the first wave of the pandemic. In this study we will explore how MS relapses were reported and managed during April - June 2020, compared to a control cohort who experienced a relapse during the same period in 2019 across 5 UK centers.
Effect of Variance on Error Correction During Coupling
Multiple SclerosisProgressive Multiple SclerosisThis study is a case-control study, involving persons with progressive multiple sclerosis and healthy controls. The study contains 1 descriptive and 3 experimental sessions. In the descriptive session, participant's clinical motor and cognitive functions are collected. In the first experimental session, participant's beat perception and synchronisation abilities is examined within a finger tapping paradigm. In the following experimental sessions participants synchronsiation abilities is examined during walking paradigms, to music and metronomes, with period and phase auditory manipulations. In the latter twp sessions, apart from outcome measures of synchronization the following will be collected as well: brain activity using EEG recordings, spatio-temporal gait parameters, perceived fatigue, perceived motivation and perceived speed of walking.
PREG-MS: New England MS Pregnancy Registry
Multiple SclerosisPregnancy RelatedThe purpose of the study is to develop a detailed pregnancy registry of patients with Multiple Sclerosis in the New England states. Women with a diagnosis of MS that are either pregnant or actively planning to become pregnant are eligible to participate. The study will solely take place through phone interviews. One of the study coordinator at the Partners MS Center will contact the participant for an intake phone interview where general information about the individual, their pregnancy and their MS will be collected. Thereafter the coordinator will contact the participant every 3 months for 20 minutes follow up interviews. After birth, the coordinator will collect information on the growth and development of the participant's baby. Pediatric interviews will be conducted at 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36 months. Information from the participant's neurologist and obstetrician, as well as information from the baby's pediatrician, will be made available to the study staff at regular intervals throughout the duration of the study. Through this study, the investigators hope to learn more about the effects of MS on pregnancy and pediatric development, and about the effects of pregnancy on the course of MS.
Effects of Fingolimod on Heart Rhythm and Heart Rate Variability in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis...
Multiple SclerosisThe current study sought to prolong the observational interval after initiating medication with fingolimod and to measure the long-term effects of fingolimod on HR and HRV as an indicator of autonomic nervous system function in patients with RR-MS.
Exploration of Microcirculatory Alteration and Endothelial Dysfunction by Adaptive Optics in Multiple...
SclerosisMultipleIt's a pilot, interventional prospective monocentric study. It aims to compare the wall / lumen ratio (WLR) of retinal arterioles (common marker of microangiopathies) between patients with multiple sclerosis and controls using the technique of adaptive optics.
Advanced MRI Sequences in Multiple Sclerosis and Its Mimics
Multiple SclerosisWe aim to evaluate the role of conventional and advanced MRI sequences in: Establishing the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and differentiate it from its mimics. Predict the prognosis and evaluate the treatment response in the first year of patients with multiple sclerosis.
DiagnosE Using the Central veIn SIgn
Multiple SclerosisThere is currently no agreement on the best way to diagnose Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Frequently, people suspected of having MS have a standard MRI scan and undergo a 'lumbar puncture' (a thin needle is inserted between the bones in the lower spine). Patients often report they find it painful and it can cause unintended complications requiring hospitalisations or time off work to recover. Although the fluid taken during a lumbar puncture can show evidence of disease, this is not always the case. Doctors do not find abnormalities in everyone who has MS but some people with conditions that can mimic MS, but need very different treatment, have similar lumbar puncture abnormalities. Both of these problems can lead to misdiagnosis. A new MRI scan allows doctors to see small veins that run through damaged areas of the brain in people with MS. It has been shown that this is a specific finding to MS, seldom seen in other conditions. It is not painful and carries few or no risks. This research aims to change the way people are diagnosed with MS and reduce the number of lumbar punctures used. The investigators will recruit a large number of people from different hospitals whose doctors suspect they may have MS. They will be invited to have the new eight-minute MRI scan. After 18 months, the investigators will find out what diagnosis is eventually reached and compare this to the finding of the new scan. The investigators will then compare the accuracy, speed, costs and acceptability of the different tests needed to make a diagnosis of MS and establish if most lumbar punctures can be replaced by a slightly longer MRI scan. This research could provide the National Health Service with a scientific approach to diagnose MS which is safer, more cost effective and importantly, more acceptable to patients.
Regulation of Lipid Metabolism in Autoimmune Disease: Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple SclerosisThe aim of this research is to understand how lipids such as cholesterol affect the disease process in people with MS.
EMISEP : Early Spinal Cord Lesions and Late Disability in Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis...
Multiple SclerosisThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of early focal lesions and early diffuse lesions on ambulatory disability progression within 5 years after clinical onset.