View clinical trials related to Sclerosis.
Filter by:The purpose of this study is to characterize the developmental phenotype of ASD and ID and to identify biomarkers using advanced MRI methodology and electrophysiological biomarkers of synaptic function and connectivity predictive of ASD and ID presence and severity in patients with TSC. In addition, this study will be establishing infrastructure for the collection and storage of human bio-specimens, including genetic material, from TSC patients and their family members with ASD.
Both Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) are highly heterogeneous diseases. Cognitive features seem to vary widely even between family members carrying the same mutation. This phenotypic variability is not well understood, but is generally assumed to be caused by modifier genes which regulate the affected pathways. However, recent studies brought forward an alternative explanation for the phenotypic variability. Post-mortem studies showed that second hit mutations causing loss of the second ('healthy') allele are more widespread than previously believed. These loss of heterozygosity (LOH) mutations cause bi-allelic loss of the disease-linked gene and are known to cause the gross of somatic features in both diseases (like neurofibromas and hamartomas). Hence, it could be the stochastic occurrence of second-hit mutations in the brain are the cause of the variable cognitive phenotypes. To investigate to what extent these LOH mutations in the brain contribute to the phenotype and to what extent this variation is due to genetic modifiers factors is unknown. The investigators therefore propose to elucidate this variability by comparing the correlation of cognitive features of monozygotic twins with NF1 or TSC to healthy twins in the population. If modifier genes are the cause of the variability of cognitive features in NF1 and TSC the investigators expect that the variability in cognitive tests in monozygotic twins is the same as monozygotic twins in the healthy population. However, if the variability is caused by the occurrence of LOH mutations, the investigators expect to have a lower correlation in our monozygotic patients compared to the healthy twins.
The Swiss MS Cohort Study (SMSC) is a multicentre cohort study that involves 8 Swiss Multiple Sclerosis centres. The key aims of the SMSC are 1. To maintain a long-term cohort for an undefined duration of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) in Switzerland. This requires effective measures to limit drop-outs and the continuous recruitment of MS patients and 2. To conduct a systematic follow-up with standardized, high quality collection of clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, as well as body fluids. The significant heterogeneity within the diagnostic entity and phenotype of MS is incompletely understood. A central and necessary prerequisite of further advance is a sufficient amount of high quality clinical and paraclinical (imaging, body fluids) patient data. Nested projects will address specific research topics, and facilitate collaboration of the most qualified investigators within the group of SMSC investigators. The nested projects will focus on the: 1. Development and validation of diagnostic and prognostic markers of spontaneous disease evolution and therapeutic response. 2. Exploration of the safety and impact on long-term disability of existing and next generation MS treatments 3. Individualized therapy: A number of highly active but potentially also harmful therapies have lately been established for the treatment of MS. To date, due to the lack of individual prognostic markers patients may not receive aggressive therapy due to safety concerns, or patients with benign disease may receive expensive and potentially harmful treatments without the need for it. 4. Evaluation of intervention effects by conducting embedded pragmatic trials using the SMSC as data-infrastructure.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron diseases. It is considered as a rare disease with a prevalence of about 8 per 100,000 persons. Initiating in mid-life by progressive paralysis, it evolves rapidly into a generalized muscle wasting that leads irrevocably to death within 2 or 5 years of clinical onset. Since there is no cure for ALS, the management of the disease is supportive and palliative. Riluzole is the only drug that has been shown to extend survival by about three months. The identification of biomarkers sensitive to the progression of the disease might enhance the diagnostic and provide new drug targets. Dysfunction of the immune system is a pathological hallmark of ALS. Increased levels of interferon gamma (IFNgamma) were found in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of ALS patients. However, the cell origin as well as the pathogenic influence of this peripheral source of IFNg is unknown. Thus, IFNgamma might have a role in the pathogenic process of ALS and might be a potential biomarker of the disease.
This study investigates whether there is a link between disease activity/progression in patients receiving Gilenya and expression of a putative biomarker signature in patients with multiple sclerosis.
This study aims to calibrate the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) for home implementation in a phase 2 trial of lisinopril in multiple sclerosis. In this initial stage, participants are required to travel to the study site one day a week for three weeks to complete the MSFC. They are also required to complete the MSFC at home once weekly for three weeks using remote sensing technology and video conferencing.
There are two standard and a few second line treatments for RRMS. Since the disease cannot be cured by these existing treatments and all treatment options have significant limitations, there is the need to develop new treatment strategies to improve therapy of patients with RRMS. We developed a RIG-I ligand as a new therapeutic strategy for patients with MS. The RIG-I ligand functions partially via induction of Interferon beta (IFN-b), but has advantages over therapy with recombinant IFN-b. Identification of suitable biomarkers to monitor treatment with RIG-I ligand and to guide the dose steps would help to increase the safety of the volunteers in the early clinical trials with RIG-I ligand. The RESI study is designed to analyse immune readouts and potential biomarkers such as type I IFN levels, type I IFN dependent immune activation and miRNA expression following Rebif or Avonex (Interferon beta 1a) application. Rebif is applied s.c. at a dose of 44 µg three times a week (on day 1,3,5 and 8), and Avonex i.m. at a dose of 30µg once a week (on day 1 and 8), as they are routinely used in RRMS-therapy. The immune readouts are assessed on day 1, 3, 5 and 8 immediately before application of Rebif/Avonex and on day 1 and 8 at 1 / 6 / 12 /24 hrs after Rebif/Avonex application by analysing blood samples. Since studies of the RIG-I ligand will start in healthy volunteers and will be continued in MS patients we need data from both populations since they could show significant differences in response to IFN-b. Thus, the RESI study includes healthy volunteers, RRMS-patients already under Rebif/Avonex treatment, and RRMS-patients who have to yet started a therapy with Rebif/Avonex.
Esophagus is commonly affected in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) and esophageal function is compromised in about 75% of patients. Previous studies have shown that buspirone, an orally available 5-HT1A (serotonin 1a) receptor agonist, enhances esophageal motility in healthy volunteers. Recently, the investigators observed that a single dose of buspirone (10mg) improves lower esophageal sphincter (LES) function in patients with SSc and esophageal involvement . Objectives: To evaluate the effect of continuous administration of buspirone on esophageal dysfunction and related symptoms in SSc using high resolution manometry (HRM).
This is a prospective, non-randomised, non-blinded, single center study of children and adolescents with multiple sclerosis and clinically isolated syndrome to detect differences or early changes in diffusion-weighted imaging (DTI) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The purpose of this study is to assess the physical capacity of patients with multiple sclerosis and the effects of rehabilitation, encompassing physical therapy and physical activity as it is carried out in the day hospital of (the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine department) at Garches Hospital. We will compare the results of assessments carried out before and after a standard rehabilitation program.