Current Studies

The Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis and other Demyelinating Disease (PeMSDD) Database Study is sponsored by the Network of Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The purpose of the PeMSDD database study is to provide data on patients with MS and other demyelinating diseases to support hypothesis generation and study design development for clinical trials and observational studies. Participants who have been diagnosed or have a suspected onset of MS or other demyelinating disease before the age of 18 years old are eligible. Participants will consent to having their medical data relating to their demyelinating disease entered into the database. There are no study visits required.

The Diet and Relapses Study is sponsored by the Network of Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether diet effects the course of MS. Study participation lasts for one year and involves the completion of a food and activity questionnaire on three different occasions (at enrollment, six months later and one year later), as well as a blood draw at enrollment. Adolescents with MS or CIS at risk for MS are eligible for participation. The blood will be sent to a lab at UCSF, the main study site, where it will be tested for vitamin D, lipid and fatty acid levels. Participants will be compensated for their time participating in the study via checks. They will receive $25 for each study visit with a maximum compensation of $75.

The Patient Family Views study is sponsored by the Network of Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The purpose of the study is to obtain perspectives on pediatric multiple sclerosis research priorities and methods. We are doing this study because we believe that patients and families will provide unique insight into what research is important to them and what barriers exist for them to participate in research. This knowledge will be used to better guide pediatric multiple sclerosis research priorities and design. Study participation involves the completion of one survey which takes about 20 minutes to complete. Survey responses will be linked with information that was collected as part of the PeMSDD study, if applicable. Adolescents with MS, adults diagnosed with pediatric onset MS, as well as parents/guardians of children with MS, are eligible for participation. Participants will receive a $25 Amazon gift card for submitting a survey that is at least 80% complete.

This neuroimaging study is funded by Washington University. The purpose of this research study is to gather imaging information from patients with pediatric MS and ADEM using investigational magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences called Diffusion Basis Spectrum Imaging (DBSI) and Gradient Echo Plural Contrast Imaging (GEPCI). The DBSI/GEPCI sequences are considered investigational, which means that they have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The goal is to figure out a DBSI/GEPCI profile to better distinguish between different pediatric demyelinating diseases to improve treatment strategies and more effectively diagnose patients at disease onset. Patients diagnosed with a demyelinating disease are eligible for the research study. The study involves the addition of the DBSI/GEPCI sequences while participants are already having an MRI for standard of care, which adds an additional ten minutes to the scan. Participants will not be paid for being in this research study.

This study is led by Naresha Saligrama, PhD, and is funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The purpose of this study is to explain the cause and disease process in nervous system inflammatory diseases, identify biomarkers to improve the identification of disease, identify genes, proteins, or other factors contributing to neuro-inflammation, individualize predictions, select the best therapies and develop more effective, safer treatment strategies. Participants with inflammatory disorders affecting the nervous system are eligible for participation in this study. Participation involves the collection of biological samples (blood and cerebrospinal fluid), clinical information, neuropsychological data and MRI findings. Biological samples will only be collected as a part of clinical care. Participants will not be paid for participation.

• OPERETTA I: An open-label study to evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of Ocrelizumab in children and adolescents with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
  • This is a multi-site clinical trial investigating Ocrelizumab. It is sponsored and funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Currently open to enrollment of patients in the category of >35kg to <40 kg. For more information about eligibility and study involvement, please contact Soe Mar’s office.
• Coming soon: OPERETTA II: A phase II multicenter, randomized, double-blind study, double-dummy study to evaluate safety and efficacy of Ocrelizumab in comparison with fingolimod in children and adolescents with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
  • This is the next phase of the OPERETTA clinical trial investigating Ocrelizumab, also sponsored by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. This study is not yet enrolling participants at Washington University but will enroll patients ages 10-18 with RRMS. The study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of Ocrelizumab in comparison with Fingolimod. For more information about eligibility and study involvement, please contact Soe Mar’s office.