Active clinical trials for "Sclerosis"

Creatine is a naturally occurring chemical involved in the production of energy in muscle. Abnormalities in creatine have been linked to the progression of degenerative neuromuscular diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease). This study will test whether taking creatine can improve the symptoms of ALS.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder. In this disease, the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that cover and protect nerves. This study will test the safety of a new drug called RG2077 that is designed to treat MS. The study will not determine whether RG2077 is effective in treating MS, only whether it is safe to use in patients with MS. Study hypothesis: RG2077 will arrest MS if administered early in the course of MS and decrease accumulation of lesions on MRI.

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine whether high-dose intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) is more effective than placebo in restoring neurologic function (muscle strength) in patients with multiple sclerosis. II. Determine the time to recovery following IVIG.

The purpose of this study is to determine if natalizumab in combination with AVONEX is safe and effective in delaying progression of individuals diagnosed with relapsing remitting Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Systemic Sclerosis (also known as Scleroderma) is a chronic, autoimmune disease of the connective tissue generally classified as one of the rheumatic diseases. Systemic Sclerosis causes fibrosis (scar tissue) to be formed in the skin and internal organs. The fibrosis eventually causes the involved skin to harden, limiting mobility, and can also damage other organs. Excess Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1 (TGF-beta1) activity may result in the abnormal fibrosis characteristic of Systemic Sclerosis. An antibody against TGF-beta1 may modify pathologic processes characterized by inappropriate fibrosis. Genzyme Corporation is currently investigating a human monoclonal antibody (CAT-192) that neutralizes active TGF-beta1. This study is being conducted in the U.S. and Europe to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of repeated treatments with CAT-192 in patients with early stage diffuse Systemic Sclerosis.

Pseudobulbar Affect is a condition characterized by frequent episodes of laughing and crying out of proportion. Other terms used to describe this condition include emotional lability, emotionalism, emotion incontinence, emotional discontrol, excessive emotionalism and pathological laughing and crying. AVP-923 is a new experimental drug that may assist in the reduction of uncontrolled episodes. This study will test the safety and efficacy of AVP-923 in the treatment of MS patients suffering from pseudobulbar affect.

The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of three antioxidant regimens in treating the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the toxicity of total-body irradiation, anti-thymocyte globulin, and cyclophosphamide followed by syngeneic or autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation in patients with multiple sclerosis. II. Determine the disease response of patients treated with this regimen. III. Determine the safety and efficacy of filgrastim (G-CSF) for PBSC mobilization in this patient population.

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the safety and long term complications of total body irradiation in combination with cyclophosphamide, anti-thymocyte globulin, and autologous CD34-selected peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation in children with refractory autoimmune disorders. II. Determine the efficacy of this treatment regimen in these patients. III. Determine the reconstitution of immunity after autologous CD34-selected PBSC transplantation in these patients. IV. Determine engraftment of autologous CD34-selected PBSC in these patients.

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the toxicity of cyclophosphamide and rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin in patients with diffuse systemic sclerosis. II. Determine the efficacy of this regimen in terms of controlling disease in these patients.