Active clinical trials for "Multiple Sclerosis"

Inflammatory synaptopathy is a prominent pathogenic mechanism in multiple sclerosis (MS) and in its mouse model, which can cause excitotoxic damage by long-lasting excessive synaptic excitation and, consequentially, drives disease progression by leading to motor and cognitive deficits. As synaptopathy occurs early during the disease course and is potentially reversible, it represents an appealing therapeutic target in MS. Although reliable biomarkers of MS synaptopathy are still missing, recent researches highlighted miR-142-3p as a possible candidate. Indeed, miR-142-3p has been described to promote the IL-1beta-dependent synaptopathy by downregulating GLAST/EAAT1, a crucial glial transporter involved in glutamate homeostasis. Furthermore, mir-142-3p has been suggested as a putative negative MS prognostic factor and a target of current MS disease modifying therapies. The hypothesis of this study is that miR-142-3p represents a good biomarker for excitotoxic synaptopathy to predict MS course, and, possibly, treatment efficacy at individual level, including both pharmacological strategies and non-pharmacological interventions, like therapeutic transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to ameliorate MS spasticity. To this aim, the role of miR-142-3p in MS synaptopathy, its potential impact on the efficacy of disease-modifying treatments currently used in MS therapy as well as the influence of genetic variants (SNPs) of miR-142-3p and GLAST/EAAT1 coding genes on the responsiveness to therapeutic TMS, will be further investigated in the study. By validating miR-142-3p as potential biomarker of synaptopathy, it is expect to improve MS prognosis and personalized therapies. Patients with MS, who will undergo neurological assessment, conventional brain MRI scan, and CSF and blood withdrawal for diagnostic and clinical reasons at the Neurology Unit of IRCCS INM-Neuromed will be enrolled in the study. Neurophysiological, biochemical and genetic parameters together with lower limb spasticity will be evaluated. Subjects, who will undergo blood sampling and/or lumbar puncture for clinical suspicions, later on not confirmed, will be recruited as control group. A subgroup of MS patients showing lower limb spasticity will be included in a two-week repetitive TMS stimulation protocol (iTBS) to correlate the patient responsiveness to this non-pharmacological treatment with MS-significant SNPs of both miR-142-3p and GLAST/EAAT1 coding genes.

To date, despite recent advances in MS care including rehabilitation interventions, many PwMS are unable to access these developments due to limited mobility, fatigue and related issues, and costs associated with travel. Thus, physical activity at home could be a new way to deliver exercises to the patients. Although Pilates did not show any significant advantage over standardized physical therapy in the current literature, it is a good method to promote physical activity, sensorimotor integration and cognitive stimulation. Thus, it could be a treatment option to improve fatigue, balance and walking abilities in PwMS; consequently, Pilates could be suggested by the clinician as a physical activity to be integrated in the daily life. This possibility could be made more feasible using new tools such as those offered by low cost devices. The main MS-FIT project purposes are to provide and to test a tool based on serious game concept of Pilates-inspired exercises for daily use at home, by mixing the entertainment aspects typical of the videogames and the possibility to perform physical activity. The MS-FIT tool does not pursue therapeutic aims as rehabilitation does, but it could have a positive impact on prevention and health in MS. MS-FIT, by using the Microsoft Kinect Motion Controller Xbox or similar to deliver adapted physical activity, offers the possibility to transform the Pilates exercises into a virtual reality game. MS-FIT, through a multicentre approach, would provide: a feasibility study in order to: refine the tool for the final customized version to be used in a RCT MS study assess the tool for PwMS in terms of technology acceptability and satisfaction-to-use assess the process of recruitment, the adherence to the intervention, the dropout rate and identify potential issues assess human resources necessary for the RCT estimate the effect of the intervention and its variance necessary to calculate the appropriate sample size for the RCT a RCT study in order to evaluate the effect of a physical activity intervention of exercises inspired to Pilates self-managed at home in terms on PwMS

The only approved treatment for impaired ambulation in MS is Dalfampridine (also known as fampridine, 4-aminopyridine, 4-AP). Fampridine penetrates the blood-brain barrier and improves impaired axonal conduction by selectively blocking potassium channels. Moreover, further studies investigated the possible beneficial effect of dalfampridine on cognitive functions and fatigue. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of dalfampridine on gait impairment, cognitive functions and fatigue in a sample of Egyptian patients with multiple sclerosis.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of Metformin as add- on therapy for improving the outcome in RRMS patients.

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to compare relapse remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients treated by ocrelizumab or by rituximab followed for 2 years. The main question it aims to answer is : • to demonstrate the non-inferiority of rituximab versus ocrelizumab in active relapsing MS patients on the % of patients without disease activity at 2 years. During the 2 years, the study includes 6 follow-up visits and the completion of various health and quality of life questionnaires. The protocol visits follow the usual schedule of treatment infusions for the disease (at initiation of treatment, 15 days after, and then every 6 months). Two comparison groups: Researchers will compare rituximab treated patients versus ocrelizumab treated patients to see the % of patients without disease activity at 2 years.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) are disorders that affect the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Both diseases can cause muscle weakness and impair vision, speech, and coordination. Researchers are working to better understand how MS and PML affect the CNS. Objective: To test whether an experimental radioactive tracer (minibody) can help positron emission tomography (PET) scans detect certain immune cells in the CNS of people with MS and PML. Eligibility: People aged 18 years and older with MS or PML. Design: Participants will come to the clinic for at least 3 visits over 4 to 6 weeks. Participants will undergo testing. They will have a physical and neurological exam. They will have blood tests and tests of their heart function. They will have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain. They may have a spinal tap: Their lower back will be numbed, and a needle will be inserted between the bones of the spine to withdraw fluid from around the spinal cord. Minibody is given through a tube with a needle placed in a vein in the arm. This takes 5 to 10 minutes. Participants will have heart function tests before and after receiving the minibody. Participants will return the next day for the PET scan. They will lie on a table that moves through a doughnut-shaped machine. This scan will take about 1 hour. Participants with PML may opt to repeat the minibody infusion and the PET scan within 6 months.

This study will investigate if the use of motor imagery to practice a balance task is as effective as physically practicing balance tasks as measured by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) in persons with MS. A secondary purpose is to investigate if using a motor imagery balance intervention will limit fatigue typically experienced with physical movement in this population.

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the radiological efficacy of SC natalizumab over time through Week 24 in natalizumab-naïve participants, as measured by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The secondary objectives of this study are to evaluate additional lesion-related radiological efficacy measures over time, relapse-based clinical efficacy measures, disability improvement and worsening (EDSS), pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters, the immunogenicity of repeated doses, and safety in treatment-naïve participants of SC natalizumab.

The available therapeutic strategies for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)-related symptoms are usually faced with limited efficacy and numerous side effects. Patients with MS frequently suffer from fatigue, affective symptoms, and cognitive deficits.

The goal of this study is to investigate the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients on balance and postural control. The main question it aims to answer are: • Is IMT effective in improving balance and postural control in MS patients? Participants will be randomly divided into two groups. One group will be given only balance exercises. The other group will be given IMT treatment in addition to balance exercises.