Study on the Safety of Stopping Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Medications

STUDY BASICS

Do you have multiple sclerosis (MS), but have not had any disease activity in at least the past 5 years? Have you been taking MS medications for at least 5 years? Are you age 55 or up? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help find out if it is safe to stop taking MS medications, since the risk of relapse decreases in people ages 55 and older. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that affects over 400,000 people in North America and over 7,000 people in Western Pennsylvania. People with MS can experience many different types of symptoms, and the course of the disease is often unpredictable. MS has no known cause and no cure, but there are medications that can help with the symptoms and course of the disease. Research suggests that the risk of relapse and new lesions decreases significantly with age, especially in people who are age 55 years or older. The purpose of this study is to help researchers find out if it is safe to discontinue medications in certain people with MS. Researchers hope their findings will lead to improved care for older people with MS.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Ages 55 and up
• Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Have had no signs of MS disease activity, such as relapse or lesions, for at least 5 years
• Have been taking MS medications* for at least 5 years

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation involves five 1-hour visits that are scheduled at the same time as your regular care MS clinic appointments. Visits take place every six months for two years. Participants will have an MRI, complete questionnaires, and have tests and assessments of attention, concentration, thinking, and physical concentration. It is important to know that participants in this study will be randomly assigned (like the flip of a coin) into one of two study groups. One group will continue taking their current MS medications, and the other group will discontinue taking their MS medications. Please keep in mind that your doctor will make decisions about your medical treatment based on what is right for you. If new disease activity occurs, you and your doctor can decide whether to make changes to your therapy.