People with MS can take an active role in freeing the world of MS by participating in drug studies. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information. For additional assistance finding clinical trials, please click here.
Saint Louis University
How Symptoms and Other Diseases Affects MS
Characterization of Symptom Occurrence in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis
MS Center for Innovations in Care
Ampyra Study on Upper Extremity Function
John L. Trotter MS Center & Washington University School of Medicine
Dalfampridine (AMPYRA ®) after Optic Neuritis to Improve Visual Function in Multiple Sclerosis
University of Missouri - Columbia
Other Research Opportunities
Health Practices and Dietary Intake Among Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Investigators Recruiting for Study Comparing Exercise Programs to Improve Depression
Donate to MS Blood Repository of the Accelerated Cure Project
Ampyra Study on Upper Extremity Function
Summary
If you have multiple sclerosis and have difficulty using your arms or hands, you may be eligible for a clinical research study examining the effects of Ampyra.
Contact
Please contact the MS Center for Innovations in Care at 314-996-7960 for more information and to see if you might be eligible to participate.
Characterization of Symptom Occurrence in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis
Summary
Be a part of a nursing study to examine the impact of symptoms in persons with relapsing-remitting MS offered by Dr. Florian Thomas and Pamela Newland, RN, PhD. Participation will involve completing questionnaires, which will take approximately 1-1/2 hours. Volunteers will be compensated.
Participant Criteria
Patients must have a diagnosis of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis and be over 18 years old.
Sponsor: National Institute of Health / National Institute of Nursing Research
Contact
Pamela Newland, RN, PhD, CMSRN
618.650.2972
pnewlan@siue.edu
How Symptoms and Other Diseases Affects MS
Summary
Research is needed to study how symptoms and other disease (such as high blood pressure) affect people with MS and other neurologic disorders over time. Investigators at the University of Washington and Saint Louis University are collecting data from 2000 people, including 500 with MS, on the frequency, course, and impact of secondary symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and depression, as well as data on participation in employment, communication, and other facets of life. Participants will complete a short online survey, which takes about 15 minutes. Data are kept confidential and participants can refuse to answer any questions they choose.
Follow this link to the survey or copy and paste the URL below into your internet browser:
https://siue.us2.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9pOylpA2GSFc0cs
Contact
Pamela Newland
pnewlan@siue.edu
PREFER MS Study FTY720DUS09:
A 12-month, Prospective, Randomized, active-controlled, open-label study to evaluate the patient retention of Fingolimod vs. approved first-line disease modifying therapies in adults who are in early stages of treatment for relapsing remitting Multiple Sclerosis (PREFERMS).
Contact
Susan Eller, MA, RN, CCRC
314-977-4867
ellersc@slu.edu
ASSESS MS Study:FTY720D2312
A 12-month, randomized, rater-and dose-blinded study to compare the efficacy and safety of fingolimod 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg administered orally once daily with glatiramer acetate 20 mg administered subcutaneously once daily in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Contact
Susan Eller
314-977-4900
ellersc@slu.edu
Dalfampridine (AMPYRA ®) after Optic Neuritis to Improve Visual Function in Multiple Sclerosis
Summary
The purpose of this research study is to evaluate if a drug called Dalfampridine (Ampyra ®) may help improve vision function in 50 people with MS whose vision is known to be affected.
Participant Criteria
18-70 years of age with a diagnosis MS and have stable optic neuritis (cannot have had optic neuritis flare up in last 12 months), no history of seizure or kidney problems and have not had any disease activity within the last 3 months.
Length of Trial: 8 weeks
Sponsor: Acorda Therapeutics
Location of Trial
John L. Trotter MS Center, Washington University School of Medicine
660 S Euclid Ave #8111
Saint Louis, Missouri 63110
Contact
Samantha Lancia, Research Patient Coordinator/Professional
314-747-5576
lancias@neuro.wustl.edu
Donate Blood for Research
Summary
Study to identify genes important in MS development (Dr. Laura Piccio and Dr. Anne Cross).
Participant Criteria
Any type of MS on any medication, 18 years old or older. Will be asked to sign an Informed Consent form.
Length of Trial: Patient donates blood sample one time
Contact
Laura Piccio, MD
314-362-3306 (leave message)
Placebo-controlled Randomized Withdrawal Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Baclofen ER Capsules (GRS) in Subjects With Spasticity Due to Multiple Sclerosis
Summary
Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity Study.
The purpose of this study is to assess whether baclofen ER capsules demonstrate efficacy and safety in the treatment of spasticity.
Participant Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Men and women age 18 years and older
- Women of child bearing potential practicing an acceptable method of birth control for the duration of the study as judged by the investigator(s) [such as condoms, foams, jellies, diaphragm, intrauterine device (IUD), oral or long acting injected contraceptives, bilateral tubal ligation or vasectomized partner] for at least 3 months prior to study entry OR postmenopausal for at least 1 year OR surgically sterile (bilateral oophorectomy or hysterectomy)
- If female, negative pregnancy test
- Known history of spasticity due to MS prior to starting baclofen
- A stable daily dose of Baclofen IR, ranging from 30 to 60 mg/day (i.e., same dose given in the same schedule for last 30 days)
- Able and willing to comply with the protocol, including availability for a scheduled clinic visits
- Willingness and giving of written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of hypersensitivity to baclofen
- In relapse or history of unstable course over the prior 30 days prior to the Screening Visit
- Concomitant neurologic conditions causing spasticity
- Has received an investigational drug or device within 30 days that would interfere with the study goals prior to the Screening Visit
- Unable to comply with study procedures in the opinion of the investigator
- Has had major surgery within 3 months prior to Screening visit that may affect spasticity assessments such as abdominal surgery, back surgery, or lower leg or knee surgeries
Length of Trial: Estimated study completion date is June 2014
Clinical Trial Sponsor: Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company Limited
Contact: Anne Bonnett, RN, CCRC
(573) 884-6119
bonnetta@health.missouri.edu
Health Practices and Dietary Intake Among Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Summary
The purpose of this descriptive, cross-sectional study is to learn more about the specific types of complementary and alternative therapies used by individuals with multiple sclerosis. Of particular interest is the use of specific diets and their impact on nutrient intake. Participants will take part in a one-time interview, including a telephone survey and dietary recall. The telephone survey asks participants about their demographics, multiple sclerosis, and the use of various health and nutrition-related practices and specific diets. The survey has been adapted from the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Supplement of the National Health Interview Survey, which is administered every five years in the United States. Participants will then visit the National Cancer Institute's Automated Self-administered 24-Hour Recall website from their home computer to report all food, beverage, and supplement intake from the previous day. The phone survey and dietary recall will take about 1-2 hours to complete. About 100 participants will take part in this study.
Participant Criteria
Participants must meet the following criteria:
1. Men and women who were diagnosed with any type of multiple sclerosis at least one year prior to enrollment in the study.
2. 18 years of age or older
3. Home dwelling
4. Have access to high-speed internet and telephone service
5. Willing to complete the survey and dietary recall
Length of Trial: The length of the study is less than one year. Recruitment began in September 2012 and will end by January 1, 2013.
Sponsor: No sponsor. Cost associated with this project will be supported by a graduate student research award and the faculty advisor's funds.
Location
Interviews will be administered by telephone at the University of Delaware in Newark, DE. Subjects throughout the United States will participate via telephone and internet from this home location.
Contact
Laura Masullo, RD, Principal Investigator
856-571-2342
Lmasullo@udel.edu
Advisor
Jillian Trabulsi, PhD, RD, Assistant Professor
302-831-4991
Trabulsi@udel.edu
Researchers Recruiting 5,000 First-Degree Relatives of People with MS for Genetic/Environmental Research Study
Summary
Researcher from the Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center are recruiting 5,000 subjects who have at least on first-degree relative with a diagnosis of MS. The goal of the study is to identify the genetic, environmental and immune profiles that may increase a person's risk of developing MS. A first-degree relative could be a parent, sibling or child of a person with MS, and the study is limited to those between 18 and 50 years of age. The GEMS (Genes and Environment in MS) study is led by primary investigator Philip De Jager, MD, PhD, a Harry Weaver Neuroscience Scholar of the National MS Society. The study is privately funded.
Background: An individual's risk of developing MS increases several-fold if a close family member has MS. There is currently no way to predict which family members will develop MS. Genetic, environmental and immunologic studies to date have identified key markers that are associated with the risk of MS. The GEMS Study is gathering genetic material (DNA) and environmental exposure history from participant as well as blood samples and brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as an option. Investigators are testing the performance of new method of identifying persons at risk for MS. Identifying high-risk individuals will influence the design of effective preventive strategies for MS.
The Study: Investigators are recruiting 5,000 first-degree relatives of MS patients. A first-degree relative could be a parent, sibling, or child between 18 and 50 years of age. The first-degree relative may or may not have an existing diagnosis of MS, but must have the ability to provide consent and be willing to participate in the study.
All 5,000 participants are being asked to donate a saliva sample for DNA analysis (sent via mail, at no cost to the participant) and complete a questionnaire online about neurologic history, family history and potential environmental exposures. Based on answers to this questionnaire and the DNA analysis, the team will be collecting blood samples and MRI scans from a subset of participants every three years for up to 20 years to obtain an updated questionnaire.
There is no cost to participate in the study, and participants can reside anywhere in the United States because no travel is required to enroll in the study. Some travel may be required for the optional MRI portion of the study and the participant will be reimbursed for the travel cost.
All the participants are assigned a unique study identification number to ensure complete confidentiality.
Using this information, the investigators plan to pinpoint specific genetic, environmental, and immunologic factors that may increase a person's risk of developing MS. These findings may allow for earlier intervention to slow down MS or help to develop strategies for preventing the disease.
Contact
Emily Owen, Research Coordinator
617-264-5980
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Genes-and-Environment-in-Multiple-Sclerosis-GEMS-Research-Study/200900853288242
Investigators Recruiting for Study Comparing Exercise Programs to Improve Depression
Summary
Investigators at the University of Washington, Seattle, are recruiting 108 people with all types of MS or spinal cord injury nationwide for a study comparing the effects on depression of two telephone-coordinated exercise programs. The study, also called the inMotion study, is funded by the National Institutes on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.
After several baseline phone calls, and wearing an accelerometer ( a device that measures physical activity, similar to a pedometer) for seven days, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. In Group A, a research study counselor will help participants to develop a personalized exercise program, based on individual motivation and need. The counselor also will provide six to eight follow-up phone counseling sessions, helping participants to raise motivation, track progress, problem solve, and make changes to the exercise program as needed.
In Group B, participants will receive one 60-minute phone session during which a counselor will review how to exercise safely and provide extra information on how to find exercises that suit individual needs. No follow-up counselor calls will be made to Group B. Both groups will receive three more questionnaire calls at Weeks 6, 12, and 24 of the study period.
Participants will be reimbursed for their time and for phone expenses up to $120.
Participant Criteria
Participants should be at least 45 years old, have MS or spinal cord injury, and should meet the criteria for major Depressive Disorder or chronic depression.
Contact
The inMotion Study, University of Washington
PO Box 356490, Seattle, WA 98195
1-866-928-2114
agerrtc@uw.edu
Genetics Study - UCSF
Summary
The UCSF MS Genetics Group is looking for participation of two types of families: single-case and multi-case families. More info.
Participant Criteria
Participants will be asked to:
- Fill out a family information form
- Sign a form to release medical records (people with MS only)
- Read and sign a consent and authorization form
- Donate a blood sample (about five tablespoons)
Contact
UCSF MS Genetics Group
1-866-MS-GENES or 1-866-674-3637
www.neurology.ucsf.edu
Research Banks
You can make a difference by arranging in advance to donate your brain and spinal cord tissues for research. The National MS Society supports three MS tissue banks, which are storage facilities that provide tissue samples to researchers studying MS. These studies generally focus on the pathology of MS - its nature, cause, and effects on the brain - and they are extremely important. Tissue samples are preserved very soon after the death of the donor. The banked tissues are carefully cataloged with information about the each donor's clinical history.
Those interested in the possibility of tissue donation may contact these banks:
Human Brain and Spinal Fluid Resource Center
West Los Angeles Health Care Center
Los Angeles, CA
310-268-3536 or 310-636-5199 (24-hour pager)
Rocky Mountain MS Center Tissue Bank
Englewood, CO
303-788-4030
Donate to MS Blood Repository of the Accelerated Cure Project
This repository - not funded by the National MS Society - also has been established to provide the scientific community with biological samples and data from people with MS and other demyelinating diseases. More info.