
Lokomat Training Effects on MS Gait Abnormalities
Multiple SclerosisMultiple sclerosis is a degenerative disease that affects more than 400,000 people in the US alone. MS is in fact the most common disabling neurological disorder in young adults. Symptoms of the disease can include problems with balance, walking, fatigue, weakness and vision. Over 85% of people with Multiple Sclerosis have problems walking. This can cause them to fall or have a constant fear of falling. To prevent falling, MS patients rely on equipment, such as walkers and canes. These costs can cause financial difficulties for MS patients and families. A significant problem that is only recently being studied is the relationship between falling and MS. Recent studies have shown that MS patients fall more often than those without MS, and also fall more than the elderly population. The consequent fear of falling is also an important problem, as those worried about falling will probably change their daily habits to lower their risk. This can mean keeping from certain physical and social activities or even staying indoors. Thus, falls and fear of falling can have negative medical, physical, psychological, and social consequences for the patient. Improving patients' walking may help reduce falls and the fear of falling. Treadmill training has been shown to improve walking in patients with MS and to lower their risk of falling. One way to train patients on a treadmill is with the use of robots that can help move their limbs in a more normal way. This kind of robot-assisted treadmill training may provide even greater benefits than treadmill training alone. The study is expected to last 6-7.5 months. One group of participants will receive weekly telephone calls and will be asked questions on other physical activities, falls, and activity limitations the patient had during the week. Participants assigned to robot-assisted treadmill training will receive twice weekly training session for 8 weeks, for a total of 16 sessions. Each session will last about 65 to 90 minutes. The goal of this study is to see if robot-assisted treadmill training will reduce falls and fear of falling in patients with MS. Robot-assisted treadmill training has been shown to be effective in reducing falls and fear of falling in Parkinson's disease patients. This type of training has not been tested in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. The proposed study will help to address this gap and also provide additional data on other possible improvements due to robot-assisted treadmill training including ambulation, social participation, fatigue, and balance.

Flupirtine as Oral Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis
Relapsing Remitting Multiple SclerosisFlupirtine, a non-opioid analgesic drug, that has been shown to have additional neuroprotective functions, is given twice daily as an oral medication in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis over a period of 12 months. Neuroprotection is assessed by magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography, and clinical examination.

How Side Effects of Avonex Are Affected by Gradually Increasing to Full Dose vs Starting at Full...
Relapsing Remitting Multiple SclerosisThis study is to find out if starting at low dose Avonex and slowly increasing to full dose will improve flu like symptoms as a side effect of Avonex treatment.

Cannabis for Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple SclerosisThe purpose of this study is to learn if the use of inhaled cannabis (marijuana) and oral cannabinoid (dronabinol, Marinol or THC, which is an active ingredient of marijuana) is safe and effective in reducing the symptoms of spasticity and tremor in patients with secondary-progressive or primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Trial of Analgesia With Lidocaine or Extended-release Oxycodone for Neuropathic Pain Treatment in...
Neuropathic PainChronic Pain1 moreThis study will determine whether treatment with an extended-release opioid or topical lidocaine is effective in relieving distal symmetric lower extremity burning pain associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). If treatment with topical lidocaine is efficacious, it will have important implications for understanding this chronic pain syndrome, which is widely assumed to be caused by central nervous system pathology.

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Therapy for Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple SclerosisMultiple sclerosis is disease believed to be due to immune cells, cells which normally protect the body, but are now attacking the tissue in the brain and possibly the spinal cord. The likelihood of progression of this disease is high. This study is designed to examine whether treating patients with high dose cyclophosphamide and CAMPATH-1H (drugs which reduce the function of the immune system) followed by return of previously collected blood stem cells will stop the progression of your multiple sclerosis. Stem cells are undeveloped cells that have the capacity to grow into mature blood cells, which normally circulate in the blood stream. The purpose of the cyclophosphamide and CAMPATH-1H is to destroy the cells in your immune system which are thought to be causing your disease. The purpose of the stem cell infusion is to restore the body's blood production, which will be severely impaired by the high dose chemotherapy and to produce a normal immune system that will no longer attack the body.

The Efficacy and Safety of Escitalopram for Depression in Multiple Sclerosis
DepressionMultiple SclerosisEmotionally labile, depressed participants with multiple sclerosis treated with escitalopram will have a greater reduction in emotional lability scores and in their psychological distress scores than those who are randomized to receive placebo.

Study Evaluating Mitoxantrone in Multiple Sclerosis
Secondary Progressive Multiple SclerosisThe purpose of this study is to show the dose-response relationship of three doses of mitoxantrone with regard to efficacy in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and to show the safety and tolerability of mitoxantrone in these patients.

Nanocrystalline Gold to Treat Remyelination Failure in Chronic Optic Neuropathy In Multiple Sclerosis...
Relapsing Remitting Multiple SclerosisOptic Neuropathy2 moreThe objective of this trial is to assess the efficacy and safety of CNM-Au8 as a remyelinating treatment for vision-impairing MS lesions in participants who have chronic vision impairment as a result of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. The primary endpoint is to assess the efficacy and safety of CNM-Au8 as a remyelinating therapy in patients with stable RMS. The secondary endpoint is Change in Functional Composite Responder Analysis Score from Baseline to Week 24.

Upper Extremity Function in Multiple Sclerosis Patients With Advanced Disability Treated With Ocrevus...
Multiple SclerosisPathologic Processes6 moreThe investigators are measuring the effectiveness of Ocrevus™ in helping patients with hand or arm weakness, especially if posed by a more advanced MS patient than those included in the clinical trials.