Genes and Environment in MS (GEMS) is a longitudinal cohort study investigating how genetics and environment can lead to the onset of Multiple Sclerosis. We are recruiting first-degree relatives (siblings, parents, and children) of people who have been diagnosed with MS. This study involves the collection of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain,…
MS Genetics aims to better understand the genetic component of demyelinating diseases by doing genetic testing on blood samples of participants. This study involves a one-time blood draw and completion of questionnaires spread out over a couple of years in hopes to better understand the genes that makes one predisposed to Multiple Sclerosis and various…
The Snapshot study aims to understand brain and spinal cord aging in healthy individuals and individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). We aim to identify new tools that will help us to achieve successful brain aging in the general population and in people with an underlying autoimmune disease. A critical aspect of this study is that we are looking for…
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the differences between immune profiles of individuals remaining on Ocrelizumab/Rituximab versus those transitioning to diroximel fumarate at two years. Baseline visits for subjects transitioning to diroximel fumarate (DRF) will take place 6 months after last Ocrelizumab (OCR) or Rituximab (RTX) dose, prior to…
We are currently recruiting individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), first-degree family members of persons with MS, and healthy individuals to take part in our research on the effects of probiotics. Our goal is to better understand how the health of the gut microbiome influences the immune system.
We are inviting patients with active Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) to help us better understand how treatment options affect inflammation in soft tissues. With a combination of blood work, a full-body FDG PET-CT scan, questionnaires, and a soft tissue biopsy (from an area around the belly button), we hope to see how RA interacts with these multiple areas of…
This study will be used to evaluate the immunologic effects of Prebiotics (soluble fiber required by beneficial bacteria), in comparison to Probiotics (beneficial bacteria), in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS).
ASPIRE is a clinical trial to investigate aspirin as a treatment to improve exercise performance in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who experience overheating during exercise. Persons with multiple sclerosis benefit from exercise, but many avoid it because of exhaustion and overheating. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) tests aspirin as a method to…
The purpose of this study is to see if ocrelizumab (study drug) will stabilize, or potentiallyimprove the signs and symptoms of your MS. Ocrelizumab is a type of drug called amonoclonal antibody. Monoclonal antibodies act like your bodys immune system andattach to certain cells in order to attack germs and other illnesses in your body.Ocrelizumab attaches…
This study is for patients with Glaucoma. The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety and effectiveness of a study drug called Bimatoprost Sustained Release (SR) compared to treatment with eye drug Timolol. The Bimatoprost SR is an implant that is very small, is biodegradable (dissolves naturally in the body), and contains the bimatoprost drug.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The most important test to detect progression is visual field testing. However, this test is very subjective, often unreliable, and variable. One of the main causes of unreliable tests is the lack of attentiveness or concentration during the test. Previous studies have shown that listening…
The study aims to compare the effect two different RA treatments on cardiovascular health in patients who are considering a treatment change. The study is recruiting patients who are only taking methotrexate and are switching treatment due to a lack of improvement. The trial will randomize participants to take a TNF inhibitor (Enbrel or Humira) in addition…
Glaucoma is a given name of a group of diseases that affect the retinal ganglion cells in the eye and the optic nerve. Glaucoma cause degeneration of the retinal ganglion cells in the retina and their projections (axons) that form the optic nerve. Retinal ganglion cells and their axons transmit all of our vision information from the eye to the brain through…
We are doing a research study to learn more about why people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are prone to heart disease. We are recruiting patients diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis without a personal history of heart disease. This study involves one initial full visit as described below, and a brief follow up visit that will take place approximately 2 or…