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Pathological Basis of MRI Signal Changes in Multiple Sclerosis

The Pathological Basis of MRI Signal Changes in Multiple Sclerosis: A Longitudinal In Vivo-to-Postmortem Study

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
18 Years to 120 Years
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

  • Procedures mentioned: MRI scans

Only what the study's summary and detailed description on ClinicalTrials.gov say. Time periods may describe the whole study or a part of it — ask the study team what applies to you.

Show the study's own words
  • "Participants may have a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan."
  • "They may also have an MRI of the spinal cord."
  • "During the MRI, participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of a metal cylinder."
  • "Outcome measures include data derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spinal cord, optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the retinas, clinical examination, and disability scales; radiological and pathological examination of CNS tissue; and the correlation between in vivo and postmortem measures."
Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study looks at how MRI scans and signs of multiple sclerosis (MS) relate to changes in the brain and spinal cord over time. It is for adults with MS, a similar disease, or no known brain or spinal cord disease. Participants agree to donate their brain, spinal cord, and retinas for study after death.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that damages the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). This leads to increased physical disability over time. The disease is lifelong once it begins. Researchers want to learn more about MS s stages and follow them until a person s death. Objective: To understand how the physical and clinical signs of MS relate to its changes over time. Eligibility: Adults age 18 or older with MS or a disease of the brain and spinal cord that may act like MS. Design: Participants will have a medical history and a complete neurological exam. They may have timed tests of neurological function, such as a 25-foot walk and a 9-hole peg test. Participants will have multi-day visits about once a year. Participants will have blood drawn. Participants may have a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. They may also have an MRI of the spinal cord. They may get a contrast agent (dye) injected into a tube in an arm vein. During the MRI, participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of a metal cylinder. Participants will have the thickness of their retina measured using optical coherence tomography. A camera on top of a table uses lasers. Participants will look through a lens and follow instructions. Eye drops may be used to dilate the pupils. Participants will chew on a piece of sterile cotton for 1 minute to collect saliva. Participants agree to have an autopsy at the time of their death and to donate some of their organs to research, such as the brain and spinal cord.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Be age 18 or older.
  • Have MS, a disease with features like MS, or no known brain or spinal cord disease.
  • Be able to take part in study tests and provide clear, usable results.
  • Be willing to return to NIH about once a year, or every 5 years if you have no brain or spinal cord disease. You may stay in the study if you become too sick to return.
  • Agree to an autopsy, an exam of the body after death, and donate at least your brain, spinal cord, and retinas (light-sensing tissue inside the eyes).
  • Be able to give informed consent when joining. If you do not already have a written plan for future care, agree to name someone who can make decisions for you.
  • Also be in another screening or disease-tracking study at the NINDS Neuroimmunology Clinic when joining, unless you have no brain or spinal cord disease.
  • NIH employees and staff may join if they meet the study rules.

Who can't join

  • Not willing to let researchers share or use your coded samples and data in future studies.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

* INCLUSION CRITERIA: * Diagnosis of MS according to consensus criteria at the time of enrollment OR diagnosis of a disease that shares clinical, imaging, or biological features with MS OR individuals without known CNS disease. * Age greater than or equal to 18. * Able to participate in study procedures and provide high-quality clinical research data (for example, prior MRI scans show ability to tolerate the MRI scan with minimal motion artifact). * Willing to return to NIH for follow-up visits approximately annually (or every 5 years for non-CNS controls) until the time of autopsy. Note: participants who become too sick to return to NIH will not be removed from the study. * Willing to undergo autopsy with donation of at least the brain, spinal cord, and retinas. * Able to provide informed consent at the time of initial study enrollment and willing to appoint a Durable Power of Attorney (DPA) if an advanced directive is not already in place. * Except for non-CNS controls, simultaneously participating in another screening or natural history protocol within the NINDS Neuroimmunology Clinic at the time of study entry. * Eligible NIH employees and staff may participate. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Unwilling to allow sharing and/or use in future studies of coded samples and data that are collected for this study.

Study sites (1)

MD