Clinical trials help determine whether a drug is safe and effective for MS. Without people living with MS who are willing to serve as volunteers in these studies, we could not look forward to new and better therapies. For more information, search the National MS Society’s Database of Clinical Trials Recruiting People with MS and explore these other sites and resources:
Other Web Sites
ClinicalTrials.gov
A registry of clinical trials that are currently recruiting participants with many disorders in the United States and around the world. Searchable by disease.
CenterWatch
A publishing and information services company that provides information on clinical trials, including a list of MS studies currently recruiting patients.
NARCOMS
This registry of people willing to participate in MS research was initiated by the Consortium of MS Centers to facilitate multicenter studies. As of May 2007, the number of participants surpassed 32,000.
The Multiple Sclerosis Quarterly Report
The Multiple Sclerosis Quarterly Report (MSQR) journal is free of charge and includes original review articles, breaking news, and listings of clinical trials in progress and open for enrollment. Individuals with MS who enroll in the NARCOMS Registry receive the printed version four times a year.
MS-CORE
The Multiple Sclerosis Cooperative Research Group (MS-CORE) provides information on collaborating investigators who foster multi-center, investigator-led clinical research aimed at improving treatments for people living with MS. It was established with funding from the National MS Society.
MS International Federation
This site provides resources on all aspects of clinical trials related to MS, including participation and ethical issues.
CISCRP
The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation educates and empowers patients, medical and research professionals, the media and policymakers about clinical research participation and what it means to be an active participant in the process. CISCRP also sponsors the Clinical Research Volunteer Community, an online community to share and learn from the experiences of those involved in clinical research.
ResearchMatch.org
A not-for-profit secure Web site, designed to provide people who are interested in participating in research the opportunity to be matched with studies that may be the right fit for them. ResearchMatch is a collaborative effort of the national network of medical research institutions affiliated with the Clinical and Translational Science Awards, a part of the National Institutes of Health.
Books
The Gift of Participation: A Guide to Making Informed Decisions About Volunteering for a Clinical Trial
by Ken Getz
Order through CISCRP
Human Trials: Scientists, Investors, and Patients in the Quest for a Cure
by Susan Quinn
Order through Amazon.com
