Treatment Outcome in Early Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis
Early Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic SclerosisThe aim of the study is to compare the effectiveness of commonly used immunosuppressant treatments for early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (SSc).
Cognitive Evolution in Tysabri Treated Multiple Sclerosis Patients - A Three Year Extension
Multiple SclerosisThis study is designed to demonstrate that Tysabri is effective in maintaining cognition in MS patients after 5 or more years of continuous treatment. During a second period of 36 months, the extension study will assess the evolution of cognitive function in Tysabri treated MS patients using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and a CogState battery of tests.
D-mannose for the Prevention of UTIs in Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple SclerosisRecurrent Urinary Tract InfectionsThis is a study to explore the feasibility of using D-mannose, a commonly used food supplement, in persons with multiple sclerosis reporting recurrent urinary tract infections. Twenty persons with multiple sclerosis (10 patients using catheters and 10 not using catheters) reporting recurrent urinary tract infections will receive D-mannose 1.5 grams twice daily for 16 weeks duration. This will be explored through: Assessing compliance to a 16-week course of D-mannose Quantifying the number of prescriptions for antibiotics during the 16 weeks course of D-mannose
Bosentan Treatment of Digital Ulcers Related to Systemic Sclerosis
Systematic SclerosisDigital Ulcer1 moreGRegistry is a significant collection of data and information on the clinical practice of systemic scleroderma finger ulcers. The GRegistry study is a nationwide (Greece) prospective study recording, which includes consecutive patients with SC-DU diagnosis in clinical management departments of different hospitals, selected in such a way as to reflect a representation of the country. The use of Bosentan in the treatment of patients suffering from systemic sclerosis with digital ulcer disease is supported by data from large, placebo-controlled, randomized studies. The beneficial effect of Bosentan in digital ulcers, a vascular event of systemic sclerosis consistent with its beneficial effect on pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue disease and its beneficial effect on vascular remodeling.
MSPT Device Usability Study
Multiple SclerosisThe primary objective of this feasibility study is to evaluate the functionality (e.g., as defined by the primary endpoints) of the fully integrated Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT) device, when used by unsupervised participants with MS, or related conditions, with a broad range of disability, in multi-clinical-care environments. Secondary objectives include: Participant perception of usability of device; Participant satisfaction with the device; Ascertain the impact of different clinical environments on device usability; Ascertain impact of assistive devices in usability of device; Ascertain functionality of Bluetooth remote as compared with manual timing.
Role of Vitamin D in Reducing the Relapse Rate in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple SclerosisVitamin D3 supplementation reduces the incidence of multiple sclerosis.Although clinical cross-sectional studies have demonstrated vitamin D3 as a positive mediator in preventing relapses and disease progression, prospective randomized control trials are nevertheless necessary to confirm these statements and to determine the most efficacious, safe, and the minimum required doses. This hypothesis is going to be tested through a randomized triple blinded controlled trial in which after randomization, one group of patients will receive vitamin D and second group will receive placebo. Both groups are going to be followed in a similar way over a period of one year with follow ups at 4, 8 and 12 months. Vitamin D levels is going to be performed at 0,4, 12 month interval. MRI is going to be done at the beginning and end of trial.The number of relapses and the physical disability will be calculated through the Expanded disability status scale (EDSS).
Longitudinal Therapeutically Non-interventional Study of MSRV-Env Burden in Normal Population
Multiple SclerosisThis study intends to explore the levels of MSRV expression by analyzing the levels of MSRV transcripts in blood, as well as the levels of the MSRV-Env protein in serum in the normal population. This study is important for establishing a baseline to analyze results obtained in MS patients (another dedicated study is performed in parallel in MS patients). The study will be conducted over one year in a cohort of healthy subjects. The MSRV RNA level, MSRV-Env protein levels, reverse transcriptase activity, inflammatory markers assessed by cytokines levels will be analysed to define control levels in the normal population and their variation during one year. The data obtained in this study in healthy controls will be compared to those obtained in a parallel similar study, GN-E-002, conducted in different types of MS patients.
Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF) Observational Study
Multiple SclerosisThe primary objective of the study is to determine the incidence, type, and pattern of serious adverse events (SAEs), including but not limited to infections (including opportunistic infections), hepatic events, malignancies, and renal events, and of adverse events (AEs) leading to treatment discontinuation in patients with MS treated with dimethyl fumarate (DMF). Secondary objectives of this study in this population are as follows: To determine dimethyl fumarate (DMF) prescription and utilization patterns in routine clinical practice in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS); To assess the effectiveness of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) on multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity and disability progression in routine clinical practice as determined by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score and multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse information; and To assess the effect of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) on health-related quality of life, healthcare resource consumption, and work productivity.
Assessment of Lesion Activity Analysis in the Avonex- Steroid Azathioprine (ASA) Study
Multiple SclerosisRelapsing-remittingTo examine short- and long-term value of appearance of new active lesions in predicting extent of cortical and subcortical deep gray matter (SDGM) atrophy over 5 years in ASA (Avonex- Steroid-Azathioprine)study. To explore how accumulation of cortical and SDGM atrophy over 5 years differs with respect to the number of new active lesions or amount of disease activity, in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients who did or did not develop sustained disability progression. To examine the relationship between development of cortical and SDGM atrophy and regional likelihood of development of new active lesions over 5 years.
Applications of Nanotechnology in Multiple Sclerosis by Respiratory Samples
Multiple SclerosisMultiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complex multi-factorial disease, with underlying both genetic and environmental factors. Different populations have different susceptibility. The disease is characterized by 2 main phenotypes: relapsing-remitting or progressive course. Clinical disability is due to distraction of the CNS myelin. Repair processes are mainly noted after the acute attack - and recovery of function can be spontaneous. However, in severe attacks sometimes there is need for adding STEROID TREATMENT (6 days IV) for the acute attack. For the long term prophylactics - 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 are not cure. Also, they are beneficial in only ~40 % of the Relapsing -Remitting patients. Currently there are no biomarkers available for MS (other than oligoclonal IgG in the CSF - which help confirm diagnosis but require invasive procedure and are not correlated with disease activity nor response to therapy) and - monitoring of MS and its treatment is by MRI - which is expensive. Dr Hossam Haick from the Technion developed an electronic nose based 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 can be detected by "electronic nose".