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(information last updated:
November 4, 2011
)
Efficacy of Prednisone in the Treatment of Ocular Myasthenia (EPITOME)
(status: not yet recruiting)
This is a randomized, controlled trial of adjustable dose prednisone in patients with ocular myasthenia gravis. Ocular myasthenia patients whose symptoms have not responded adequately to treatment with pyridostigmine (mestinon) are eligible to participate. Our goals are to investigate the safety and efficacy of prednisone, to identify the optimal dose of prednisone for treating patients with ocular myasthenia and to begin to learn something about whether treatment with prednisone reduces the risk of progression to generalized disease.
Thymectomy Trial in Non-Thymomatous Myasthenia Gravis Patients Receiving Prednisone Therapy (MGTX)
(status: currently recruiting)
This is an international multi-center randomized controlled trial of thymectomy in patients with myasthenia gravis. Patients with generalized myasthenia gravis and anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies are eligible to participate. All study participants will receive prednisone. Half of the study population will also undergo thymectomy. Study visits are performed at the University of Miami and study participation will extend over a period of about three years.
Phase II Trial of Methotrexate in Myasthenia Gravis
(status: currently recruiting)
The goal of this phase II trial is to determine if oral methotrexate is an effective therapy for myasthenia gravis patients who are prednisone-dependent. Patients will be randomized to receive either methotrexate or placebo and will continue to receive prednisone. After a period of several months, efforts will be made to reduce the dosage of prednisone. The hypothesis is that adding methotrexate therapy in these patients will alleviate the symptoms of myasthenia and permit a reduction in the dosage of prednisone.
HIV Neuropathy
(status: currently recruiting)
This is a prospective observational study of risk factors for anti-retroviral toxic neuropathy in an HIV positive population that is being conducted in Cape Town, South Africa. The goals are to evaluate the importance of risk factors such as prior tuberculosis and anti-tuberculosis therapy, malnutrition and alcohol consumption with respect to the risk of stavudine-induced polyneuropathy.
Cochrane Collaboration
(status: ongoing, not recruiting)
The Cochrane Collaboration develops systematic reviews and meta-analyses of important medical topics. In 2009 Benatar et al published a review of treatments for ocular myasthenia, which is currently in the process of being updated. We are also in the midst of preparing reviews on the topics of the treatment of orthostatic hypotension, as well as the accuracy of tests for the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis.
Dexpramipexole (EMPOWER)
(status: ongoing, not recruiting)
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multi-Center Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Dexpramipexole in Subjects With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study for patients with a clinical diagnosis of familial or sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The purpose of this study is to determine whether dexpramipexole (150 mg twice daily) is safe and effective in the treatment of ALS.
Myasthenia Gravis Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS)
(status: closed to enrollment)
This is a multi-center collaborative study in which we aim to collect DNA samples from approximately 1100 people with seropositive generalized myasthenia gravis. These DNA samples will be used to perform a genome wide association study with the goal of identifying genetic factors that contribute to myasthenia gravis.
Safety & Efficacy Study of Eculizumab in Patients with Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis
(status: closed to enrollment)
This is a multi-center randomized, controlled trial on Eculizumab in patients with generalized myasthenia that has been refractory to immune-suppressive therapy. This is a cross-over study, which means that all participants will receive active drug at some point in the study. This trial is sponsored by Alexion Pharmaceuticals.
Synaptic Activity Following Nerve Injury (SAFNI)
(status: completed)
Animal studies have suggested that nerve regeneration following injury is not always accompanied by the re-establishment of complex synaptic circuitry. For this study we are recruiting patients with a history of Bell’s palsy or the Guillain-Barre syndrome. The study involves electrical testing of nerves on at least two occasions to learn more about how nerves recover following injury.
Reference Electrodiagnostic Data
(status: completed)
The interpretation of nerve conduction study data requires an appreciation of the range of values that might be encountered in a normal healthy population. In this study, commonly used nerve conduction studies were performed in a large group of healthy volunteers. The data were analyzed using a technique known as quantile regression to develop reference data (sometimes called normative data) for the nerve conduction studies commonly used in routine clinical practice. |
