New study aims to find alternative MS treatment

Jed Hendrixson
Clinical Research Coordinator Stella Gurgova, Dr. Tracy DeAngelis and Dr. Richard Blanck. (Photo courtesy Neurological Associates of Long Island)

Neurological Associates of Long Island is participating in a clinical trial sponsored by ADAMAS pharmaceuticals which aims to find an alternative treatment for the mobility struggles that afflict multiple sclerosis patients.

Dr. Tracy DeAngelis and Dr. Richard H. Blanck, the study investigators, have begun enrolling patients in the INROADs, or Invesigational Research Study of ADS-5102 in MS Walking Impairment, trial to test the effectiveness of an investigational drug to improve walking in multiple sclerosis patients.

The new study is an important step in better treating and helping those struggling with multiple sclerosis, or MS, DeAngelis said.

MS is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Symptoms of MS include vision and gait difficulties, weakness, fatigue and cognitive impairment, among others. Trouble with walking is a very common issue for MS patients, DeAngelis said.

About half of all MS patients will require some type of walking aid to assist their walking, typically after 15 years, DeAngelis said. There is currently one available therapy, dalfampridine, which has been able to improve walking speed in some MS patients.

The INROADs study is testing an alternative option, an extended release form of the medication amantadine. Amantadine has been used in the past to combat and alleviate fatigue in MS. The focus of this study is looking to see if it can help in a different way, by helping walking, DeAngelis said.

“We’re hoping it’s a viable alternative,” DeAngelis said. “It’s always great to have another option.”

MS patients may qualify for the study if they are between the ages of 18 and 70, experience difficulty walking as a result of the disease and have been taking a stable regimen of MS medications for at least 30 days.

For those that do qualify, patients will take either amantadine or a placebo for up to 16 weeks and make regular visits to the study clinic. The study may last up to 21 weeks.

During the study, patients will participate in clinical mobility measures to gauge the effectiveness of the investigational drug. These measures include timed and distance walks, patients’ ability to “get up and go,” among others, DeAngelis said.

DeAngelis has previously worked on several research and clinical trials relating to MS and was awarded the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Clinical Fellowship Award in 2006-07.

“We’re hoping to improve the quality of life for those struggling with MS,” DeAngelis said. “Keeping patients moving is going to be a success.”

The field of MS has come far but there is still more work to be done, DeAngelis said. She also championed the participation of patients in studies like this one.

“Our work rests on the bravery of our participants,” DeAngelis said. “We couldn’t develop new treatments without them.”

 

 

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