Comprehensive Multimodal Analysis of Patients With Neuroimmunological Diseases of the CNS
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Summary
Inflammatory or degenerative diseases of the brain and spinal cord, such as multiple sclerosis, may be related to problems with an individual s immune system. However, more information is needed on the ways in which the cells of the immune system interact with the central nervous system (CNS). This study will compare tests performed on both healthy volunteers and individuals who have signs or symptoms of immune-related damage to their CNS. This study will include two groups of subjects at least 12 years old. Subjects will either have symptoms of immune-related CNS damage, or will be healthy volunteers selected for comparison purposes. Study participants will visit the NIH Clinical Center on an outpatient basis for an initial evaluation visit. During the visit, patients will provide a comprehensive medical history and undergo a neurological examination, and will provide blood samples for research purposes. The healthy volunteers will be asked to schedule a return visit for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure, and may be asked to undergo other tests requested by the study researchers on an as-needed basis. The group of patients with symptoms of immune-related CNS damage will be asked to undergo a series of tests, including the following: * MRI procedures, with a minimum of three brain MRIs and one spinal cord MRI taken approximately 4 weeks apart * A diagnostic lumbar puncture, performed on an outpatient basis * Tests of brain and vision activity * Additional blood and tissue samples Patients with symptoms of immune-related CNS damage may be offered the opportunity to participate in additional followup tests with NIH researchers.
Description
OBJECTIVE The goal of this study is to define the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of disability in immune-mediated disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) and to distinguish these from beneficial responses of the human immune system to CNS injury. The protocol serves as a screening tool for Neuroimmunological Diseases Section (NDS) of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) clinical trials and enables development of clinically-useful tools such as diagnostic tests and new, sensitive scales of neurological disability, disease severity a…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 0–99 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
* PATIENT INCLUSION CRITERIA (for in-person and telemedicine sub-cohorts): Presentation with a clinical syndrome consistent with immune-mediated CNS disorder and/or Neuroimaging evidence of inflammatory and/or demyelinating/dysmyelinating CNS disease At least 12 years old at the time of enrollment Willing to share medical records (including past MRI results) with the study team. Adults: Able to give informed consent on their own or via a Legally Authorized Representative (LAR) or Durable Power of Attorney (DPA); or Minors: parent or legal guardian able to give consent, with child willing…
Location
- National Institutes of Health Clinical CenterBethesda, Maryland