The National Capital Chapter is fortunate to have several premiere medical and research institutions in our area. Many of them run local MS studies or drug trials. 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.
Current Local Studies/Trials in Need of Participants
Prospective Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Adherence Trial
Utilizing a Home Automated Telemanagement (HAT) System
The Department of Veterans Affairs MS Center of Excellence-East, Johns Hopkins University and Biogen-Idec, Inc. are initiating a randomized study to improve adherence to multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy. We will use a comprehensive Home Automated Telemanagement system for MS (MS HAT) in this trial as the intervention. MS HAT is a flexible home-based internet module that supports patient self-management, comprehensive patient-provider communication, education and multidisciplinary care coordination.
You may be a potential candidate for this study if you:
- Have been diagnosed with MS
- Are taking interferon-beta 1a and a Vitamin D supplement
- Between the ages of 18-65 years
If you choose to enroll in this study, you will be evaluated every 3 months over one year. Study visits will be brief and consist of surveys, laboratory testing and a brief physical exam. The location of study visits is flexible and after enrollment, all visits can be made in the home by trained research staff. Both Veterans and non-Veterans are eligible to participate in this study.
Principal Investigator: Mitchell T. Wallin, MD, MPH, VA MSCoE-East, Georgetown University School of Medicine and University of Maryland School of Medicine
Contact Information: To find out more about this research study and learn if you may qualify to participate, contact Amy Cha at (410) 550-6721 or echa5@jhmi.edu
Central Neuropathic Pain and MS
Avanir Pharmaceuticals is conducting a phase II, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, study to assess the safety and effectiveness of three dose levels of AVP-923 (dextromethorphan/quinidine) in the treatment of central neuropathic pain in people with MS.
Nutrition/Diet and MS
This is an independent study, not affiliated of sponsored by the National MS Society.
Do You Have Multiple Sclerosis? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a research study. The purpose of the study is to learn more about the health practices and dietary intake of individuals with multiple sclerosis. The study consists of one telephone interview, 1-2 hours in length.
If you qualify to participate, a member of the study team will schedule an appointment with you. A survey will be administered to you over the phone, and you will visit a website on your home computer to complete a diet questionnaire. After you have completed both parts, a $25 gift card will be mailed to you as compensation. To participate, you must be at least 18 years old, have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at least one year prior to enrollment, and have access to a phone and high-speed internet. If you are interested in participating or would like to learn more about the study, please contact Laura Masullo at lmasullo@udel.edu or 302-831-2241.
Exploring Health-Related Quality of Life and Disease Impact in People with Multiple Sclerosis
People with MS experience a wide array of symptoms that can significantly impact many aspects of their lives. Researchers at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy (Tucson, AZ) would like to invite any US resident who is 18 years or older who has been diagnosed with MS to voluntarily participate in an online survey asking you about your health. Additionally, we will ask you some demographic questions to help us learn more about who is participating in the survey and how one’s background plays a role in answers to the survey questions.
· Do you reside in the US?
· Are you 18 years of age or older?
· Have you been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis by a physician?
· Would you be willing to take a 20 minute web survey about your health?
If so, you may be able to participate in this research study.
If you are eligible and complete and submit the survey, you will be compensated. The survey is online and should take about 20 minutes to complete. Participants will be directed to a secure web server so that all information is confidential and strictly used for research purposes only.
Please click on the link below to be directed to the online survey:
www.mshealthsurvey.com
Female MS Volunteers Needed for Research Study
Johns Hopkins University is looking for women with relapsing-remitting MS for a 24 -month study to see if there are less relapses with the treatment of Copaxone injections plus oral estriol as compared to the treatment of Copaxone injections plus oral placebo.
We are looking for:
- Women 18-50 years old
- Diagnosed with definite RRMS
- Able to walk without any aids such as cane or walker
- Had at least one relapse within the last 2 years
You are not eligible for the study if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, smoke, or have other serious medical conditions. Those treated in the past with Copaxone, Avonex, Rebif or Betaseron will NOT BE EXCLUDED.
This study is being conducted by John Ratchford, M.D., Professor, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University. If you are interested, call Stephanie Syc, the study coordinator, at (410) 502-2488 or email (ssyc1@jhmi.edu) for further information.
This trial is funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the National Institutes of Health.
Website: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00451204?term=estriol+AND+
multiple+sclerosis&rank=1
Do You Have Secondary Progressive MS?
If so, you may qualify for an NIH research study on the safety and efficacy of an experimental drug called Rituxamib (Rituxan).
NIH Study of Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
The Neuroimmunology Branch (NIB) of the National Institutes of Health is conducting a study to investigate the efficacy of an oral experimental drug in primary progressive multiple sclerosis.
Inclusion Criteria: Participants ages 18-55 who have a diagnosis of Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and are not taking any immunomodulatory drugs.
Location: The study will be conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Md., on an outpatient basis.
Contact information: Call (301) 496-0064
View a flyer for this study.
TYSABRI(r) Global Observational Program in Safety (TYGRIS)
A safety observational cohort program designed to obtain long-term safety data in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with TYSABRI(r) in a clinical practice setting in the United States or Canada.
Inclusion Criteria: MS patients in the US and Canada receiving TYSABRI(r) under standard clinical care for less than or equal to 3 infusions are eligible to participate in TYGRIS.
Institution/Location: George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates, Washington, DC
Contact Information: Tsega Mesfin MSHA, Clinical Research Coordinator, (202) 741-2717
For more information, call (202) 296-5363.
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For the latest in research information, please visit our National website.