Studies Open for Enrollment

Acute Demyelinating Disorders of Childhood

The purpose of this study is to define the natural course of disorders that cause the loss or destruction of myelin in nerve tissue in childhood as related to the diagnosis of childhood multiple sclerosis (MS). SSome children with other acute demyelinating disorders may have recurrences of their disease without evolving to MS, and some patients with recurrent episodes are eventually diagnosed as having MS. This makes the diagnosis of MS in relapsing cases difficult. This research will be helpful in identifying risk factors for subsequent diagnosis of MS MSwith a longer-term goal of helping establish criteria for making earlier diagnosis of childhood MS possible, so as to start preventive treatment before the loss of neurological function from the disease.

Candidates
Patients, newborn through age 18, who have been diagnosed with a demyelinating disorder – including acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), post-infectious encephalomyelitis, optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, Devic’s disease and MS.
Boys: Newborn through 18 years
Girls: Newborn through 18 years

Requirements
Each participant will take part in an initial telephone interview with a research investigator to explain the study and obtain permission for further contacts relative to their current and future health status to collect data longitudinally. Participants will be contacted annually for a follow-up telephone interview to update their health information. Participants also may opt to visit the research clinic once a year for follow-up examinations.
Visits: 0
Duration: 5 years

Status: Open for Enrollment

How to Participate
To get started, please contact:
Gulay Alper, MD
412-692-5520

Additional Resources
Multiple Sclerosis and Demyelinating Disease (PDF)

Principal Investigator
Gulay Alper, MD
Child Neurology

Source of Support
NIH National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke