Studies - Neurological Conditions Research
MS Study - Cladrabine: ONWARD (H-20317)
This study offers add-on Cladribine tablet therapy with Rebif new formulation in multiple sclerosis subjects with active disease.
If you have active MS, please contact the study coordinator at 713-798-6059.
MS Study - RRMS (H-22942)
The Maxine Mesinger Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at the Baylor College of Medicine is conducting a clinical study for Relapsing-Remitting MS patients. This study is evaluating an investigational new drug for MS patients. If you are between the ages of 18 and 55 and have RRMS and had at least 1 documented relapse of MS in the past 12 months, you may qualify for this study. Qualified participants will receive the study medication and study related care at no cost for the duration for of the study. Compensation for parking will be provided.
Contact: For more information, please call 713-798-6059.
Halt-MS Study (H-19056)
High-Dose Immunosuppression and Autologous Transplantation for Multiple Sclerosis (HALT MS) Study The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a new treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS), a serious disease in which the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord. MS can be progressive and severe and lead to significant disability. The study treatment involves the use of high-dose chemotherapeutic drugs to suppress the immune system. The participant’s own (autologous) blood-forming (hematopoietic, CD34+) stem cells are collected before the chemotherapy is given, and then transplanted back into the body following treatment. Transplantation of autologous hematopoietic stem cells is required to prevent very prolonged periods of low blood cell counts after the high-dose chemotherapy. Inclusion Criteria: 1) Aged 18-60; 2)Have relapsing MS diagnosed within the past 15 years; 3)must have continuing relapses despite use of MS medications.
Contact: Please call 713-798-6059 for more information.
MS Study - RRMS (H-16339)
The Maxine Mesinger Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at the Baylor College of Medicine is conducting a clinical study for Relapsing-Remitting MS patients. The study will compare the effects of using both Interferon Beta-1A and Glatiramer Acetate versus using each treatment alone. If you are between the ages of 18 and 60 and have RRMS and had at least 2 exacerbations of MS in the past 3 years, you may qualify for this study. Qualified participants will receive the study medication and study related care at no cost for the duration for the study. Compensation for parking will be provided.
Contact: For more information, please call 713-798-6059.
MS Study (H-22007)
Do you have Multiple Sclerosis? If you are…between the ages of 18 and 50 and the onset of your MS symptoms began in the last 5 years you may qualify for a research study at Baylor College of Medicine.
Contact: To find out if you qualify for this study or other MS studies, please call 713-798-6059.
MS Drug Study – RRMS (H-21179)
Oral drug being studied for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. We are recruiting MS patients for a multi-center trial of an oral medication being studied for treatment of MS. Eligible patients must be aged 18-55, have relapsing-remitting MS, and have had at least one attack in the past year. Participants will need to stop any MS treatment they are already taking.
Contact: Interested patients may call 713-798-6059.
Parkinson's Disease Study
If you fall from Parkinson's disease, you may be eligible to participate in a study on an exercise program. We are looking for people with Parkinson's who have problems in walking and balance. The study is being conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, the Parkinson's Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Center at the Micheal E Debakey VA Hospital, and the Movement Disorders Clinic at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
Contact: If you would like to find out more about the study, please call Mon Bryant at 713-791-1414 ext. 4043.
BOTOX-A Injection to Improve Bladder Function in Early Spinal Cord Injury (H-20344)
About 10,000 people each year, mostly men, suffer spinal cord injuries. Many of these patients have problems with bladder function as a result of these injuries. Almost half of these patients may also develop kidney stones, kidney failure, loss of the ability of the valves to keep urine in the bladder from backing up into the kidneys, blockage of urine draining from the kidneys, and even death. We have found that by using a clean catheter to drain the bladder periodically we can reduce the risk of some of the complications. But we still need to improve the bladder function in these patients. The treatments we now use are helpful but they are usually started after voiding patterns are established about 1-12 months after injury. We want to study the bladder function in the first 6-8 weeks after injury. Botox (botulinum toxin A) is a drug approved by the FDA for treatment of wrinkles. We have used Botox for treatment of other kinds of bladder problems with success. We are now investigating whether Botox can prevent some urinary tract problems from developing in spinal cord injured patients if injected during the early phase after spinal cord injury. We are specifically targeting injection of Botox into the sphincter muscle located below the bladder in patients with uncoordinated external sphincter activity: also termed detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD). This is a condition that can cause problems with emptying the bladder as well as kidney complications in patients if left untreated. We want to study the effect of Botox patients with DSD to see if we can improve bladder function, prevent further damage to the kidneys, and require less medication to treat lower urinary tract symptoms. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to see what the effect of Botox has on bladder function for those who have recently suffered spinal cord injury. We also will study bladder tissue levels of NGF (nerve growth factor) that can tell us how the nerves to the bladder are healing after injury. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Male or Females between ages of 18-50 * Weigh more than 111 pounds * Have a Spinal Cord Injury T10 or above Thoracic Level by Classification less than 8 weeks prior to the start of the study. Both complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries will be included in this study. * Must be able to complete all study requirements including voiding diary and to attend all scheduled study visits. * Patient or family member must be willing and able to perform clean intermittent catheterization for duration of this study. * Must be in good general physical condition without history of prior urinary disease or dysfunction, or had previous or current botulinum toxin therapy of any serotype for any condition. * Females who are pregnant, nursing or planning a pregnancy during the study or females of child-bearing potential who are unable or unwilling to use a reliable form of contraception during the study must not participate in this study. * Must not currently be or previously been in another therapeutic study within 30 days of screening.
CONTACT: Please contact the study coordinator, Susan Kingston, LVN, CCRP at 713-798-8514 for more information.