Active clinical trials for "Sclerosis"

The purpose of this research study is to collect more information about the use, safety, and effectiveness of the NeuRx DPS® in ALS patients.

The specific aim of the study in our example is to conduct a feasibility translational home-based exercise trial established in the LEADERS (R2) project with the TExt-ME tele-exercise training system for participants with neurologic disability. We hypothesize that participants in this home-based tele-exercise training program will achieve similar gains in health and function outcomes as the onsite exercise training program. Further, there will be no difference in adverse side effects (safety) between the home-based and onsite exercise treatment groups.

Background: - Contrast agents are drugs that make certain body areas or abnormalities show up better on imaging studies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Mangafodipir is an MRI contrast agent with manganese that has been approved for MRI scans of the liver and pancreas. Because contrast agents with manganese have also been shown to be useful in studying problems with the nervous system, researchers are interested in determining if mangafodipir may be used for MRI scans of the brain or eye, two areas that often experience problems caused by disorders that affect the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis. However, more information is needed on whether mangafodipir will be useful for this purpose, or how best to use it in MRI scans of the eye and brain. To study mangafodipir more closely, researchers are interested in studying its use in both individuals with multiple sclerosis and healthy volunteers. Background: - Contrast agents are drugs that make certain body areas or abnormalities show up better on imaging studies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Mangafodipir is an MRI contrast agent with manganese that has been approved for MRI scans of the liver and pancreas. Because contrast agents with manganese have also been shown to be useful in studying problems with the nervous system, researchers are interested in determining if mangafodipir may be used for MRI scans of the brain or eye, two areas that often experience problems caused by disorders that affect the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis. However, more information is needed on whether mangafodipir will be useful for this purpose, or how best to use it in MRI scans of the eye and brain. To study mangafodipir more closely, researchers are interested in studying its use in both individuals with multiple sclerosis and healthy volunteers. Objectives: - To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of mangafodipir in imaging studies of nerve disorders affecting the eye and brain. Eligibility: - Individuals between 18 and 70 years of age who either have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis or are healthy volunteers. Design: Participants will be screened with a physical examination, medical history, and blood tests. Participants will have up to 10 outpatient visits for screening and MRI scans over a period of up to 2 months. Participants will be divided into Eye and Brain groups, based on which area will be studied during the scans. (Participants who have available time may be eligible for study in both groups.) Participants will have an initial MRI scan as part of the screening process. At the first visit, participants will have a baseline MRI scan once before receiving mangafodipir. Participants will have up to five MRI scans, with the following procedures: Eye imaging group: MRI scans will be scheduled at specific times between 2 and 48 hours after receiving mangafodipir. Eye MRI participants will wear a dark contact lens and an eye patch for 30 minutes before receiving mangafodipir, and leave both on for up to 8 hours. The other eye will remain uncovered. Brain imaging group: MRI scans will be scheduled at specific times between 48 hours and 7 days after receiving mangafodipir. Participants will have a follow-up MRI scan 1 month after receiving mangafodipir. This scan is done to see how long mangafodipir may affect MRI images of the brain.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complex multi-factorial disease, with underlying both genetic and environmental factors. Different populations have different susceptibility to MS. The disease is characterized by 2 main phenotypes: relapsing-remitting or progressive course. Clinical disability is due to distraction of the central nervous system (CNS) myelin. Repair processes are mainly noted after the acute relapse - and recovery of function can be spontaneous. However, in severe relapses sometimes there is need for STEROID TREATMENT. For the long term prophylaxis - following the increased understanding of the disease, in the last 10-15 years, there are new immunotherapies available (COPAXON / TEVA; Interferon -beta). However these can attenuate the disease (reduce the number of relapses per year) but cannot cure it. Also, they are beneficial in only ~40 % of the Relapsing -Remitting patients. Currently there are no biomarkers available for MS (other than oligoclonal Immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the cervical spine fluid (CSF) - which helps confirm diagnosis but require an invasive procedure and are not correlated with disease activity nor response to therapy) and monitoring of MS and its treatment is by magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) - which is an expensive procedure. Dr Hossam Haick from the Technion developed an electronic nose based on nanomaterials for diagnosis of diseases (e.g., cancer, kidney failure, etc.) via breath samples.The research hypothesis is that Biomarkers of CNS inflammation and/or neurodegeneration and/or CNS repair in persons with MS can be detected by the "electronic nose".

The aim of the study is to determine whether controlled infection with a clinically safe number of larvae of hookworm results in an immune response that is protective in relapsing MS.

PET (positron emission tomography) imaging with BAY85-8101 for investigation in patients with Multiple Sclerosis compared to healthy volunteers

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate whether tailored print material can promote physical activity and exercise, and subsequently improve quality of life and fitness levels among people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Research suggests that routine physical activity is beneficial in people with mild to moderate MS. However, people with MS may face many barriers for engaging in regular physical activity. Prescribing a home exercise program and receiving tailored motivational print material may help people engage in physical activity. Thus, the investigators hope to figure out whether tailored print material can be used as strategy to promote physical activity and improve physical function in people with MS.

Bladder dysfunction occurs at some time in most patients with multiple sclerosis and these patients are prone to have recurrent urinary tract infections. Cranberry has been traditionally used for the treatment and prophylaxis of urinary tract infections but there is no reliable randomized controlled trial demonstrating evidence of cranberry's utility in this disease. The aim of our study is to assess the efficacy and safety of cranberry in the prophylaxis of urinary tract infections in patients with multiple sclerosis with a prospective randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial.

There is a growing body of literature showing that stressful life events can increase the risk of developing exacerbations and new brain lesions among people with multiple sclerosis. The purpose of this study is to examine the hypothesis that stress management programs can reduce the occurrence of new brain lesions and exacerbations. We will also examine potential immune and neuroendocrine pathways.

Muscle involvement is poorly described in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) . The prevalence of muscle damage is evaluated at 5-95 % of SSc patients, particularly due to variable definitions depending on the series in the scientific litterature. Muscle clinicobiological and histological presentation an response to immunosuppressive treatments are highly variable. Muscle involvement defined by creatinine kinase (CK) elevation, the presence of electromyography (EMG) abnormalities and/or muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) hyperintensities and/or muscle biopsy inflammation appears to be associated with diffuse SSc, the presence of cardiac damage, and anti-PM-Scl antibodies. The main objective is to describe muscular manifestations associated with SSc. Secondary objectives are: to compare characteristics between SSc patients with and without muscle involvement to determine homogeneous groups of SSc patients with muscle involvement