Using MR Perfusion Imaging and Hypercapnia to Study Angiogenesis in Patients With MS
Location: Warren G. Magnuson Clinical
Center, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if changes in the hypercapniainduced
cerebral blood flow (CBF).
Differences in response between patients with MS and controls may help to monitor the treatment of the disease.
Eligibility: Women and men, over 18 years of age, with relapsing-remitting or secondary progressive MS who have had more than one relapse within 18 months preceding study enrollment, with confirmed diagnosis of MS based upon previous history of two clinical neurological attacks separated in time and in spatial location or combination of clinical and MRI findings of a single enhancing lesion in the brain or spine along with multiple T2 hyperintensities in the juxtacortical, periventricular or infratentorial white matter according to the McDonald criteria, and with an EDSS score between 1.0 and 6.5, inclusive.
Procedure: Patients meeting the above criteria will be randomly assigned to inhale room air or a mixture of room air and a known concentration of carbon dioxide (i.e., hypercapnia). Comparing the CBF response to hypercapnia will determine if the newly formed vasculature includes properly functioning blood vessels.
Benefits: This study may lead to a new process to help monitor the treatment of MS. For Information: Contact Bobbi K. Lewis at
Warren G. Magnuson Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland via telephone at 301-435-3866, or via e-mail at: lewisb@helix.nih.gov.