Mayo Clinic to Examine Medication for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Mayo Clinic
Monday, 12 January 2004

Mayo Clinic seeks men and women between the ages 18 and 50 with early, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) to participate in a research study. The study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational drug, compared to the standard treatment of those with MS.

Approximately 400,000 Americans have MS, with two-thirds of them women. MS is a chronic, potentially debilitating disease that affects the central nervous system. "MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system responds as if part of the body is a foreign substance," says Brian Weinshenker, M.D., a Mayo Clinic neurologist and lead researcher on the study. In MS, the body directs antibodies and white blood cells against the myelin sheath surrounding nerves in the brain and spinal cord. This causes inflammation and injury to the sheath and nerves resulting in multiple areas of scarring. The damage slows or blocks muscle coordination, visual sensation and other nerve signals.

"This clinical trial is examining those who have relapsing-remitting MS, which affects 85 percent of all people with the disease. As there is no cure for MS, we are always trying to find treatments and therapies that may slow or stop the progression of the disease," Dr. Weinshenker notes. As with any medication, certain people may experience some side effects, including allergic reaction, rash, fever, headaches, fatigue, chills and nausea.

Qualified participants may include newly diagnosed patients with relapsing-remitting MS who are not pregnant and are not currently taking Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, Rebif or Novatrone. Qualified participants will be assigned to one of three study groups. These groups include a high and low dose of the investigational drug, as well as the drug Rebif.

To participate in this research study or to obtain more information, please contact Darcy at 507-284-1588.

For more information, or to contact Mayo Clinic, see their website at: www.mayoclinic.org