Imaging Effects of Neurotrophic Factor Genes on Brain Plasticity and Repair in Multiple Sclerosis.

摘要

The aim of this study is to develop a better biomarker for multiple sclerosis (MS) by combining genotype and imaging data. Patient with MS undergo evaluation to confirm diagnosis and determine disability level. They have blood drawn for genotyping, and undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sensitive to focal and diffuse changes in brain tissue (including cortical thickness and subcortical volume measures, lesion volumetry, and voxel-based morphometry and diffusion imaging). We continue to progress with screening, enrollment, and scanning of participants, with 101 patients having enrolled and completed study procedures or screened in to the study and in the process of scheduling. Although recruitment was initially slower than anticipated, we have taken major steps to increase visibility and awareness of the study among patients and referral sources, and our recruitment rate increased and continues to increase as a result. We continue to devote significant effort to maintaining and enhancing study visibility and awareness, and we fully anticipate that the momentum in recruitment will continue to grow as we go forward. We have encountered no adverse events. We continue to log and back up all data, and complete ongoing QA and data entry. A second batch of samples (N=46) has been submitted for TaqMan genotyping, which brings the total to N=93. We are preparing a preliminary report regarding Hypothesis 1-A. We are preparing an R01 application to study the imaging-genetics as a predictor of longitudinal outcomes in MS. Final findings from the research will be available when we complete data collection, at which time we will have sufficient statistical power for the analyses. We continue regular research meetings.