PROTOCOL OUTLINE:
Patients undergo magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy with standard gadolinium contrast followed by neuropsychological testing every 6 months for 5 years. An equal number of age and sex matched healthy patients act as a control group and undergo magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy without standard gadolinium contrast every 6 months for 5 years.
Age
20–70
Sex
ALL
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
You may be eligible if
PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA:
-Disease Characteristics--
Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis Relapsing-remitting defined as 2 exacerbations and a worsening of neurologic function over 1 day followed by at least 30 days of no progression OR Secondary-progressive defined as increase of at least 1.0 unit on Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) in past 2 years with or without exacerbations
-Prior/Concurrent Therapy--
Biologic therapy: Prior interferon beta 1A, 1B, or glatiramer acetate No concurrent interferon beta 1A, 1B, or glatiramer acetate
Endocrine therapy: Concurrent oral and IV corticosteroids allowed
-Patient Characteristics--
Performance status: EDSS no greater than 7.0
Hematopoietic: No hematologic dysfunction including hemolytic anemia
Hepatic: No hepatic dysfunction
Renal: No renal dysfunction
Cardiovascular: No cardiac pacemaker
Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test No intracranial clips, metal implants, or external clips within 10 mm of head No metal in eyes No known gadolinium texaphyrin allergy No known claustrophobia
