Multiple Sclerosis
Conditions
Brief summary
The goal of this research study is to to learn more about the body's immune response in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In MS, the body's immune cells mistakenly attack an important part of the nerves of the brain and spinal cord. The immune cells responsible for attacking the nerves in MS patients is primarily the T cells. A marker was recently discovered that might specifically identify these damaging T cells from all other T cells in the body. Understanding which T cells cause the damage in MS patients and understanding more about these specific T cells may help doctors better understand how MS occurs and could possibly prevent MS in the future.
Interventions
OTHERBlood Sample
a blood sample will be collected
Sponsors
Boston Children's Hospital
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
13 Years to 20 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
MS Group Inclusion criteria -diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and present to the neurology clinic for a regular checkup or are admitted to the inpatient floor with acute symptoms.
Exclusion criteria
* Have an active infection * Take T cell modulating drugs Control Group Inclusion criteria -scheduled for elective surgery * without any immunological diseases.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| T cell populations | up to one week | compare T cell populations between patients with Multiple Sclerosis and healthy controls |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed