Active clinical trials for "Sclerosis"

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic disease that involves various organs such as the skin, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and lungs. Dysfunction of the thyroid gland is prevalent in these patients and may be related to thyroid fibrosis or to thyroid autoimmune disease, i.e. hashimoto's thyroiditis. Thyroid nodules are prevalent in the general population, although some reports suggest they might be more frequent in patients with SSc. Hashimoto's thyroiditis, by itself, carries a higher risk for thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. The aim of the study:To characterize sonographycally the thyroid gland of patients with SSc with and without Hashimoto's disease

This study is observational, non-controlled, multicentric and prospective, without experimental intervention or control. As part of the usual management of the subjects, scales will be used for the assessment of the spasticity and the quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this observational study is to assess the incidence of spasticity in a group of subjects with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) in Argentina and the way it affects the QoL of these subjects.

Cognitive impairment is one of the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and it may occur during the first years of the disease. It usually affects attention, information processing speed and short term memory. To date, the mechanisms of this specific symptom remain unclear (local or global inflammation, neurodegenerative processes). Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can be useful to understand the pathophysiology of cognitive impairment in MS. The investigators will combine conventional and non conventional MRI sequences to determine the respective role of white matter and grey matter injury and the cortical reorganization of neuronal networks.

The primary objective is to determine adherence to Rebif® New Formulation administered by RebiSmart during 12 weeks of therapy in patients with RRMS.

The objective of the study is to estimate the prevalence of anti-JCV antibodies in multiple sclerosis (MS) participants.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neuromuscular condition characterized by weakness, muscle wasting, fasciculations and increased reflexes. Depending on the site of onset, individuals with ALS progressively lose control of their skeletal muscles; bulbar or the extremities. As symptoms worsen and spread, muscle atrophy becomes apparent and upper motor neuron symptoms such as spasticity complicate gait (in lower limb involvement) and manual dexterity (in upper limb involvement). The patients progress to a state of profound disability and have great difficulty in communicating; some may even be entirely "locked in" to their bodies. The capacity for simple communication could greatly improve their quality of life. New technologies are giving people with disabilities alternate communication and control options. One such instrument is the EEG-based Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) which can provide both communication and control functions to those who have lost muscle control. By recording electroencephalographic (EEG) signals or brain waves from the scalp and then decoding them, the Wadsworth BCI allows people to make selections on a computer screen [i] In this study we will be investigating the feasibility of using EEG-based Brain-Computer Interface technology as a communication solution for individuals with ALS. The specific question addressed will be: Can individuals with ALS use the BCI for communication when they present with extreme loss of neuromuscular control and severe communication impairments? The goal of the project is to determine whether this device is a practical and realistic means for individuals with ALS to communicate. The study is intended to evaluate both the complexity of the system and the degree to which each participant will be able to communicate. Trials will consist of asking the subject to follow a series of simple instructions and complete certain tasks while using the BCI. This study design requires that the individual live in the Philadelphia region. Please contact the Wadsworth Center of the New York State Department of Health and State University of New York at Albany directly if you reside outside of this area.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a common disease affecting 1/1000 Canadians. Cognition impairment is reported in 40-65% of patients and is socially and functionally disabling. Although multiple sclerosis is widely regarded as a white matter disease, cortical disease burden is increasingly emphasized. Studies confirm that gray matter (GM) disease is grossly underestimated by conventional MRI. Although the cause for MS is unknown vascular impairment is implicated in nerve cell death. Several studies have shown perfusion abnormalities in the central GM and white matter (WM) structure. Severity of perfusion reduction correlates with lesion load, atrophy, MS subtype and disease duration. Further extent of cortical atrophy correlates with neurocognitive impairment. We hypothesize that cortical perfusion is a marker of cortical disease severity and correlates with neurocognitive impairment. To show this we will measure regional cortical perfusion and regional brain and WM lesion volumes in 26 predefined brain regions using a template developed for Alzheimer's disease. Regional perfusion will be correlated with neurocognitive tests validated for MS use. Patients will be divided into impaired and non impaired and perfusion compared controlling for known confounding factors. If confirmed cortical perfusion may be utilized as a surrogate marker of cognitive outcome in therapeutic studies.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical status of patients who participated in the original pivotal Betaseron study at 20 years after randomized treatment initiationStudy end-points include: Mortality - All-cause mortality - Cause specific mortality - Multiple sclerosis-related mortality EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) Cognition Resource use SPMS (Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis) status Employment history

This is an observational, non controlled, non-interventional, multicentric, prospective study planned to be conducted in 450 subjects diagnosed with MS and their caregivers in 20 centres of Argentina. The observations from this study will contribute to the awareness of the impact on the Quality of Life (QoL) of the caregivers and, eventually will also provide measures for helping the subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS) without leaving aside the care of the physical and psychic health of those who work as caregivers.

The primary objective is to define the prevalence of serum anti-JCV antibody in relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) participants receiving Tysabri® (natalizumab) or being considered for such treatment. Secondary objectives are to analytically validate the anti-JCV antibody assay in a plasma matrix and to determine changes in anti-JCV antibody status over time.