
L Test in Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple SclerosisMultiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, is a disease characterized by myelin, oligodendrocyte and axon damage [1]. Research continues on the autoimmune, infectious, environmental, vascular and genetic origins of this disease, which affects approximately 2.5 million people in the world and is seen 2-3 times more in women than in men. Although the signs and symptoms of the disease vary according to the location of the lesion; Loss of balance and strength, spasticity, sensory disturbances, fatigue, ataxia, autonomic dysfunction, and decreased visual acuity is frequently observed. There are no studies in the literature investigating the validity and reliability of this test in individuals with MS. Reliability is population-specific and it is important to investigate the reliability of the L test in MS patients. Therefore, the aim of our study is to reveal the test-retest reliability and validity of the L test.

Ketamine for MS Fatigue
Multiple SclerosisThe purpose of this study is to see whether using ketamine to increase glutamate in the prefrontal cortex can reduce Multiple Sclerosis (MS) related fatigue. We propose a prospective, crossover, randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy and safety of low, single dose Ketamine, to assess its efficacy and safety in patients with MS-related fatigue.

Retinal Imaging in Neurodegenerative Disease
Alzheimer's DiseaseMild Cognitive Impairment13 moreThis study aims to develop and evaluate biomarkers using non-invasive optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) as well as ultra-widefield (UWF) fundus photography to assess the structure and function of the retinal and choroidal microvasculature and structure in persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), or other neurodegenerative disease, diseases as outlined.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and the Innate Immune System
Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisNeurodegenerative Disease1 moreAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is an aggressive, deadly disease. ALS leads to destruction of the neural pathways which control the conscious movements of the muscles. This destruction leads to muscular dystrophy with increasing difficulties in moving, breathing, swallowing, and speaking. In the last phase of an ALS patient's life it is necessary with respiratory therapy in order to breathe. In average an ALS patient lives 3 years from the time he or she gets the diagnose. The cause of the disease is still unknown and there is currently no treatment which can stop the progression of the disease. Former clinical studies have indicated that the innate immune system and in particular the complement system plays a significant role in the progression of ALS. The complement system, which is activated in cascades, is part of the innate system but participates in the innate as well as the acquired immune system. Former clinical trials have been characterized by limited knowledge about both the complement system as well as to how it is measured. Today it is possible to measure directly on the different components of the complement system and to understand its contribution to the overall immune response. It is also possible today to detect defects of the complement system. All these progressions are the foundation for this project which is carried out in close cooperation with one of the world's leading researchers in the complement system, professor Peter Garred from Rigshospitalet. The aim is to make a national research project about ALS in order to investigate the role of the innate immune system, and especially the complement system, in patients with ALS. In the long term the hope is, that this will lead the way to a targeted and effective medical treatment to the people affected by this grave disease.

The Effectiveness and Safety of Resective Epilepsy Surgery for TRE
Tuberous Sclerosis ComplexEpilepsyProspective controlled studies to identify clinical epilepsy control, cognitive changes, and safety in resective epilepsy surgery of tuberculosis-related epilepsy.

Multiple Sclerosis Registry in Argentina (RelevarEM)
Multiple SclerosisThe main reason for RelevarEM project is the creation of a registry based on a web platform to facilitate the collection of epidemiological data of multiple sclerosis patients from multiple sources in Argentina. The platform will provide the data in a global way that will show the frequency and distribution of the disease in our environment at low cost.

The Safety and Effectiveness of Cholinergic Receptor Block Therapy in the Treatment of ALS
Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisRespiratory Function1 moreThirty cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients were recruited from the neurology department of Ruijin Hospital, the pain department and the encephalopathy center of Luwan Branch of Ruijin Hospital. After the informed consent was signed, they were divided into a trial group and a control group. Each group contains 15 cases. The patients in the control group was treated with edaravone dissolved in saline during hospitalization, while the patients in the trial group was treated with edaravone, scopolamine, atropine and dexmedetomidine. Both groups of subjects were treated for 7 days within 3 weeks, followed by a buffer period of 3 weeks for observation, which was one treatment course. The total treatment protocol contains 3 treatment courses (or 18 weeks). Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis were evaluated before treatment and 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 weeks after treatment. The observations include whether the functional scores of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Norris amyotrophic lateral sclerosis score, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis self-score, forced expiratory volume in one second, partial pressure of oxygen and maximum displacement of the hyoid were superior to those before treatment, and whether the partial pressure of carbon dioxide was inferior to those before treatment. Study hypothesis: Cholinergic receptor blocking therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is safe and effective in improving motor function and delaying disease progression in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Ultra-high-field Brain MRI in Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple SclerosisThe MRI scan is one of the most important tools for diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS) and for monitoring disease progression and medication effects. Increasingly strong MRI magnets (higher field strength) enable us to see abnormalities in the brain in greater detail. On the other hand, it poses challenges because these higher field strength MRIs are more sensitive to disturbances, for example due to motion, including physiological motion such as breathing and swallowing. In current practice, field strengths of up to 3 Tesla are common. The aim of this study is to compare scanning at field strengths of 3 Tesla in 10 MS patients at two different moments (baseline and 6 months) with scanning at field strengths that are higher, namely 7 and 9.4 Tesla, in order to identify the advantages and disadvantages. With the further development of this technique, the investigators may be able to make a better diagnosis in the future and detect subtle changes in the course of the disease more quickly in order to optimize treatments.

Description of Adherence to the Main Preventive Health Campaigns of Persons With Multiple Sclerosis...
Multiple SclerosisPersons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) might be more susceptible to infections and cancers and chronic diseases than general population, not because of the presence of the disease itself, but in relation to some specific therapies use or the degree of disability. Based on the currently available knowledge, the use of many disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) requires special attention to the possibility of infectious events or onset of cancer. In this perspective, a still unmet clinical need in PwMS is the acquisition of a complete picture of the immunization status against the main infectious diseases and the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Adherence to preventive pathways can reduce screening time for access to specific treatments, increase safety within complex therapies and reduce the risk of comorbidities. Despite of the relevance of preventive medicine in clinical decision making, there are no studies in literature on the adherence of these patients to screening and vaccination campaigns in Italy. The purpose of the study will be to describe the adherence to preventive medicine by PwMS, investigating possible differences between PwMS and people without MS (PwoMS) in the access to vaccinations and screenings. In addition, the investigators will try to identify, in both groups, the potential variables correlated to preventive medicine adherence, including the influence of the Covid(Coronavirus disease)-19 pandemic. This 1-year project is conceived as a multicenter, observational and retrospective study, divided in two parts. The first one is conceived as a cross-sectional study that will enrol approximately 1250 patients from databases of Clinical Centers, Rehabilitation Units and local branches of the Italian MS Society in Northern, Central and Southern Italy. Patients over 25 years of age with a confirmed diagnosis of MS will be enrolled. Data will be collected through a questionnaire administered by telephone, upon written informed consent. The second part is designed as a case-control study, that will enrol a subgroup of 300 PwMS (case group) and 300 PwoMS, matched by gender, age and residence area (control group) to analyse the impact of disease and/or disability to access/adherence to preventive medicine. Knowledge of immunization status and chronic diseases risk is critical for clinical practice in the management of new DMDs but also for public health in determining the possible need for integrated care pathways targeted to PwMS.

AIM's Writing for Healing: A Workshop for Individuals Living With Paralysis
Spinal Cord InjuriesMultiple Sclerosis2 moreThe UAB Institute for Arts In Medicine (AIM) is currently implementing an expressive emotional writing pilot project for adults with paralysis caused by neurological conditions such as traumatic head or spinal cord injury.