Active clinical trials for "Optic Neuritis"

Optic neuritis typically occurs in young (mean age, 32 years), female (77%) patients, and it presents as subacute monocular visual loss that develops over several days. As yet, treatment with intravenous corticosteroid for optic neuritis had no long-term beneficial effect on vision. There are a number of factors that contribute to nerve fibre damage including increased level of sodium, so blocking sodium entry could help to protect them against damage. The main objective of the study is determine whether phenytoin (which blocks sodium entry) can protect nerve fibre and improve final visual function after optic neuritis.

Ublituximab (also known as LFB-R603) is a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to the trans-membrane antigen CD20. The binding induces immune response that causes lysis of B cells. The rationale for using ublituximab in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is based on the known roles of B cells, antibody production and plasma cells in the pathophysiology of NMO. NMO is characterized by the presence of an anti-Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody, which can only be produced by differentiation of B cells to plasma cells. Because these anti-AQP4 antibodies may be pathogenic, B cells recognizing AQP4 may be directly involved in the disease process as well. B cells also play a role as potent antigen presenting cells in NMO. The strongest evidence of the importance of B cells in NMO comes from studies of B cell depletion, most commonly with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab (Rituxan®). Rituximab has been shown in five retrospective and two prospective studies to be effective in reducing NMO relapses up to 90% and achieving remission in up to 80% of patients solely by its action on CD20+ B cells, despite no change in plasma cell population and anti-AQP4 antibody titers. These human trials strongly suggest a critical role for B cells in the pathophysiology of human disease. While typically used in the prevention of disease, B-cell depletion may be beneficial in the treatment of an acute relapse as well. Emerging evidence indicates that peripheral B cells are activated during a relapse and plasmablast production of anti-AQP4 antibodies spikes. B cells are also found within acute lesions of the spinal cord and optic nerve suggesting roles both in the blood and in the central nervous system during a relapse.

This clinical trial aims at preventing visual dysfunction and optic nerve degeneration associated with autoimmune optic neuritis by systemic i.v. administration of 33.000 IU erythropoietin over 3 days. The primary objective is to determine the efficacy of erythropoietin compared to placebo given as add-on to methylprednisolone as assessed by measurements of retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and low contrast visual acuity 6 months after acute optic neuritis.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple doses of BN201 in healthy subjects. This is a phase I, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of BN201 in healthy subjects following single ascending doses and two cohorts of multiple doses. The study will be conducted in two parts (Part A and Part B). Part A (up to 8 single ascending doses (SD)) will be conducted in 32 subjects (4 interlocking cohorts of 8 subjects). Part B (up to 2 multiple ascending doses (MD)) will be conducted in 16 subjects (2 cohorts of 8 subjects). Subjects in Part A will undergo a screening period (Day -28 to Day -2), two in-patient treatment periods compromising 3 overnight stays (from Day -1 to Day 3) with a wash out period of at least 14 days between dose administrations and a follow up visit 12 to 16 days following administration of IMP. Subjects in Part B will undergo a screening period (Day -28 to Day -2), an in-patient treatment period compromising 7 overnight stays (from Day -1 to Day 7) and a follow up visit 12 to 16 days following final administration of Investigational Medicinal Product (IMP).

Optic neuritis is caused by inflammation of the optic nerve and causes loss of vision in the affected eye. It is often associated with multiple sclerosis. Loss of vision after an attack of optic neuritis is caused by damage to the nerve fibres in the optic nerve. There are a number of factors that contribute to nerve fibre damage including increased levels of sodium within them, so blocking sodium entry could help to protect them against damage. The purpose of this study is determine whether phenytoin (which blocks sodium entry into cells) can protect against loss of nerve fibres and prevent loss of vision after optic neuritis.

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of BIIB033 in subjects with their first episode of unilateral acute optic neuritis (AON). The secondary objective of this study is to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of BIIB033 in this study population.

The goal of the study is to determine the earliest structural changes in the optic nerve during the acute event and during the twelve months of recovery following Acthar treatment.

Incomplete remission after an optic neuritis attack is not uncommon. Visual reconstitution therapy is a software-based approach that has been shown to substantially improve residual visual field deficits in patients with pre- and postchiasmatic lesions. The primary hypothesis of this randomized, controlled clinical trial is, that visual reconstitution therapy is superior to active comparator treatment in improving the visual field after optic neuritis.

To establish a large, longitudinal collection of high quality samples and data from subjects with MS, selected other demyelinating diseases (Transverse Myelitis (TM), Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) or Devic's, Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM), and Optic Neuritis (ON)), and related and unrelated unaffected controls. Samples and data will be available as a shared resource to scientists researching the causes, sub-types, and biomarkers of MS and related demyelinating diseases.

Although idiopathic steroid resistant optic neuritis is very uncommon, there is no established treatment protocol for such patients. Toll like receptors (TLRs) especially TLR-9 has been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of optic neuritis. This small case series aims to determine whether immunomodulators directed specifically at TLR-9(i.e. TLR-9 antagonism)play any role in improving the visual function in such patients.