Active clinical trials for "Sclerosis"

Aims of the study: This is a single blind randomized-controlled trial to test the feasibility and the effects of a task oriented training on locomotor function, mobility and balance in multiple sclerosis subjects with moderate gait impairments (EDSS 4 - 5,5). The control group will not be treated with a specific physical therapy (usual care). Subjects and methods: 60 multiple sclerosis patients will be recruited in an outpatient rehabilitation clinic (Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara). Informed consent will be obtained. Participants will be randomized to (TOCT) task-oriented training (experimental group) or usual care (control group) through a randomization stratification approach, according to a block randomization of 6. The experimental group will receive 10 task-oriented training sessions over 2 weeks (5 sessions/week=intensive training). Three subjects with a supervisor physiotherapist will take part at the TOCT. Feasibility outcome will be measured with a specific questionnaire. Treatment efficacy outcome measures will be clinical test for gait speed (10m walking test), walking endurance (six minute walking test), balance (Dynamic Gait Index) and mobility (Time Up and Go Test); a structured interview for the performance(Lower Extremity Mal); self-assessment questionnaire for motor fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale FSS), multiple sclerosis physical and psychological impact (multiple sclerosis impact scale MSIS-29), walking ability (multiple sclerosis walking scale MSWS-12). Outcome measures will be assessed the week before the treatment (T0), after the treatment (T1) and at 3 months follow-up (T2) to evaluate treatments retention, by a clinician blinded to the treatment.

The purpose of this study is to determine if mexiletine is effective for the treatment of muscle cramps in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

ALS is a disorder that weakens motor strength and lung function. Rapid loss of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord of ALS patients causes the symptoms of increasing weakness and loss of muscle function. Motor neurons are responsible for sending signals to muscles in our bodies to trigger movement. While there are drugs to help relieve symptoms of ALS, there is no cure for ALS. Rasagiline is a drug with possible neuroprotective characteristics. Neuroprotective means that the nervous system may be protected against weakening. It is known that rasagiline has possible neuroprotective characteristics, but the effectiveness of rasagiline for patients with ALS has not been tested. Rasagiline is approved for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Rasagiline for treatment of ALS is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is investigational. Investigational drugs are studied to find out if they are safe and effective in the treatment of diseases or conditions. By doing this study, researchers hope to learn if rasagiline is safe and slows disease progression in patients with ALS. Funding Source - FDA OOPD (FDA Orphan Products Division).

Based on favorable preliminary data from ongoing studies testing the safety and tolerability of a nutrition, exercise and neuromuscular electrical stimulation funded by Direct MS, the investigators are proposing a pilot study focused on the Wahls Paleo plus Diet and Wahls Diet intervention to usual care. The intent is to measure the effect size of a Wahls Paleo plus Diet and the effect size of the Wahls Diet in reducing fatigue and improving quality of life scores as measured by fatigue severity scale score and MS quality of life 54 physical and mental scores and various subscale scores. Inclusion criteria is the presence of fatigue and the diagnosis secondary and primary progressive MS, progressive relapsing MS or relapsing-remitting MS with an expanded disability status scale score (EDSS) score of 4.5 or greater but otherwise stable medically. The Wahls Paleo plus (ketogenic diet) and the Wahls diet (modified paleolithic diet) groups will be instructed in completing a daily food log and receive coaching from registered dieticians who are expert in motivational interviewing. The control group will receive usual care. Biomarkers of nutrient levels (e.g. vitamin) and inflammation, blood sugar and insulin levels will be monitored. Additional blood will be frozen for future analysis. Nutrient (e.g. vitamin and antioxidant) intake will be assessed using food frequency questionnaires and 24 hr diet recalls. Test of endothelial function will be done at baseline and 12 weeks. Outcome measures will be change in quality of life and fatigue, endothelial function and blood biomarkers between enrollment and end of study at 12 weeks. The hypotheses are that the diet intervention groups will experience reduced fatigue and improved quality of life and improved biomarkers 1) between zero and 12 weeks and that the wahls paleo plus (ketogenic diet) and the wahls diet (modified paleolithic diet) groups will experience more improvements in quality of life and reduced fatigue and in biomarkers than the usual care group experiences at 12 weeks. The usual care group will be given instruction in following both the wahls paleo plus and the wahls diet plans and how to utilize the daily food logs at the end of study visit. The usual care group will receive one nutrition coaching call to assist with implementation of the study diet.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a primary disorder of the central nervous system that may affect motor pathways and cause muscle weakness. Respiratory complications due to respiratory muscle weakness are common in the terminal stages of MS and contribute to mortality in these patients. Respiratory muscle weakness may also impair the performance of coughing and aspiration, pneumonia, or even acute ventilatory failure may ensue. Functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) is a non-invasive method that promotes the contraction of muscles through nerve activation. Over the last few years, the study investigators have demonstrated efficacy of FMS technology for stimulating respiratory muscles in animal models, able-bodied subjects [3] and spinal cord injured (SCI) patients [4]. In this study, the researchers will investigate the efficacy of using FMS technique for respiratory muscle conditioning in patients with MS. Furthermore, the investigators will also compare expiration related outcomes of FMS technique with resistive expiratory muscle training (REMT) methodology. Hypotheses FMS conditioning of the expiratory muscles can generate significant expiratory flows and pressures in patients with MS. FMS conditioning of expiratory muscles is more effective compared to resistive expiratory muscle training (REMT) in patients with MS.

The primary objective is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of natalizumab (BG00002, Tysabri®) in the study population (Russian participants with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis). The secondary objectives are to look at evaluation of severity of relapse, hospitalization and steroid use requirement; Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), functional tests, quality of life self-assessment questionnaires including the short form health survey self-assessment questionnaire (SF-36) and multiple sclerosis impact scale 29 (MSIS-29), evidence of MRI disease activity, participants free of disease activity (clinical activity and/MRI activity) and anti JC Virus (JCV) antibody evaluation.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of strength training for the lower extremities and treadmill training on walking ability in persons with Multiple Sclerosis. The study is a randomized control trial with two groups and the intervention is 8 weeks of intensive strength training or treadmill walking. Primary outcome measure is walking ability, secondary outcome measures are balance, work economy and strength.

The objective of this study will be to evaluate the safety, tolerability and effect on SOD1 levels by pyrimethamine in patients with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The goal of this study is to learn if the study drug RAD001 can reduced the number of epileptic seizures, and can be taken safety by people who have epilepsy associated with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.

The "SWiss Atorvastatin and Interferon-Beta 1b Trial In Multiple Sclerosis - Follow up Study" is the follow up study of the "SWiss Atorvastatin and Interferon Beta-1b Trial In Multiple Sclerosis (SWABIMS)" (see http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT00942591) SWABIMS evaluated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of atorvastatin 40 mg in addition to interferon-beta 1b compared to interferon-beta 1b monotherapy in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis for 15 month. The SWABIMS Follow up study observes patients that finish the SWABIMS study for another 12 month with ongoing unchanged medication.