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Evaluation of the Autonomic Nervous System During First-dosing With 0.5mg of Fingolimod (Gilenya) in Patients With Relapsing-remitting MS

Funktionelle Evaluation Des Autonomen Nervensystems im Zusammenhang Mit Der Erstmaligen Einnahme Von 0,5mg Fingolimod (Gilenya) Bei Patienten Mit schubförmig Verlaufender Multipler Sklerose

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02048072
Acronym
ANSG
Enrollment
33
Registered
2014-01-29
Start date
2013-07-31
Completion date
2015-06-30
Last updated
2016-04-29

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction, Multiple Sclerosis

Keywords

relapsing remitting, multiple sclerosis, fingolimod, Gilenya, autonomic nervous system

Brief summary

This study is designed to primarily evaluate the impact of Gilenya (Fingolimod) on the autonomic nervous system in patients being treated for the first time with Gilenya (Fingolimod). Effects on the cardiovascular system will be studied as well. The study is conducted to answer the question, if, and if yes, what impact the treatment with Gilenya (Fingolimod) has on the autonomic nervous system. To our knowledge little is known about the effects of Gilenya (Fingolimod) on the autonomic nervous system. We do know of rare, but potentially clinically and therapeutically relevant cardiovascular adverse events of Gilenya (Fingolimod). From a scientific point of view the mechanisms by which this is mediated are of interest. Maybe a better understanding of these mechanisms might even be of clinical relevance (e.g. risk stratification). The impact of Gilenya (Fingolimod) on the autonomic nervous system is quantitavely measured, using a state-of-the-art technique. Non-invasive blood pressure measurement is performed with the Finometer Pro (Finapres Medical Systems, NL) under different paradigms (breathing at rest, deep breath, valsalva maneuver, active standing). In addition the sympathetic skin reaction is performed. The non-invasive blood pressure measurements are done by continuous, plethysmographic blood pressure measurement at the index finger, while the patient is performing the tasks mentioned above. By interpreting the blood pressure curve, heart rate and blood pressure variability are calculated. The sympathetic skin reaction consists of measuring the change of electric conductibility of the skin (palms and soles) after an electric stimulus of a peripheral nerve. These parameters allow to assess the functionality of four important autonomic functional systems (orthostasis, sympathetic adrenergic, sympathetic cholinergic, parasympathetic cholinergic). Normative data has been acquired in our lab. Our hypothethis is, that there will be a change of heart rate variability at t4,5h compared to baseline (t0) for the parameter RMSSD under normal breathing.

Interventions

Autonomic testing during first dose administration of Gilenya.

Sponsors

Jochen Vehoff
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* indication for treatment with Gilenya according label * treatment with Gilenya intended * no contraindications for the treatment with Gilanya * all safety-aspects have been fullfilled * age between 18 and 60 years * written consent is given

Exclusion criteria

* relapse during the last 30 days befor randomization * steroids within 30 days before randomization * heart rhythm disturbance * new or currently changed dose (last 4 weeks) of bata-blockers, calcium antagonists, antidepressants or antiarrhythmics * diabetes mellitus * polyneuropathy * missing consent * pregnancy * lactation period

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
RMSSD Normal Breathingt-4,5 hoursRoot Mean Square of the Successive Differences (RMSSD) is one of a few time-domain tools used to assess heart rate variability, the successive differences being neighboring RR or pulse intervals. It is calculated as the square root of the mean of the squares of the successive differences between adjacent RR intervals or pulse intervals. In this study pulse intervals were measured non-invasively during five minutes, while subjects were supine, breathing regularly. Measurements were done at two timepoints t=0 and t=4,5hours. RMSSD was compared between these two timepoints.

Countries

Switzerland

Participant flow

Recruitment details

First patient in: 21.08.2013 Last patient out: 16.06.2015

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Gilenya
Gilenya 0.5mg p.o. once daily
33
Total33

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000
Overall StudyAdverse Event3
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up1

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicGilenya
Age, Continuous37.57 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.44
Body temperature36.58 °C
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.45
EDSS1.75 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.16
Height168.72 cm
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.98
Region of Enrollment
Switzerland
33 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
25 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
8 Participants
Weight71.18 kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.18

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
1 / 33
serious
Total, serious adverse events
2 / 33

Outcome results

Primary

RMSSD Normal Breathing

Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences (RMSSD) is one of a few time-domain tools used to assess heart rate variability, the successive differences being neighboring RR or pulse intervals. It is calculated as the square root of the mean of the squares of the successive differences between adjacent RR intervals or pulse intervals. In this study pulse intervals were measured non-invasively during five minutes, while subjects were supine, breathing regularly. Measurements were done at two timepoints t=0 and t=4,5hours. RMSSD was compared between these two timepoints.

Time frame: t-4,5 hours

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
GilenyaRMSSD Normal Breathing14.10 milliseconds
p-value: 0.02t-test, 1 sided

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026