2 Clinical Trials for Radiologically Isolated Syndrome
This study is being conducted to investigate risk factors for disability progression in Multiple Sclerosis and related disorders (MSRD). The primary goal is to assess whether combining information from visual assessment, blood markers, as well as historical and ongoing longitudinal MRIs of the brain, orbit (the part of the skull where eyes are located), and/or spinal cord can predict changes in quantitative disability measures related to MSRD and neurological disease.
The central hypothesis of this protocol is that it is possible, using First Degree Relatives (FDRs) of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and assessing a variety of both known and unknown risk factors for MS, to define a risk algorithm for earliest signs of development of MS. The plan will be to do an abbreviated brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan in asymptomatic, young FDRs, analyze blood for a variety of immunological, genetic, neuroaxonal damage, metabolic, viral serology and other markers, and have FDRs fill out a detailed bioscreen questionnaire about lifestyle factors and perform a cognitive screening test. The investigators will then compare the results of the various blood/other studies in FDRs with and without an MRI showing signs signs concerning for MS, as well as age-and sex-matched NON-FDRs who will have blood drawn and fill out the questionnaire. With this preliminary cross-sectional study, the investigators hope to begin to identify a risk stratification model for those at highest risk of developing MS, ie FDRs, with a long-term goal of developing a longitudinal study to increase sensitivity and specificity of the risk model.