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A Multicenter Observational Study to Evaluate Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis in Brazil

Brazil100 participantsStarted 2017-03-01

Plain-language summary

Pediatric Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease defined by multiple episodes of demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS) separated by time and space as specified in adults not explained by acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). Several studies have indicated that at least 5% of MS patients are in the pediatric population, but no prospective study was performed in Brazil. There are particular characteristics of Pediatric MS that differs from the adult population and have been focus of interest in the last years. However, we still lack high evidence data, specially concerning treatment, of this age group. This is an observational non-interventional multicenter study in pediatric MS patients in which participating subjects will be characterized by their clinical, MRI and immunological features. In this observational study, we will select 8 MS centers in Brazil to recruit at least 100 pediatric patients currently followed on each center with idiopathic inflammatory CNS disorders over a 2-year study period. We will collect retrospective and prospective clinical and MRI data to determine the proportion of patients who fulfill the International Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Study Group (IPMSSG) criteria for MS,7 especially on those below 10 years where the use of McDonald 2010 criteria is not recommended routinely. Following the inclusion on the study, subjects will be followed for at least 2 years. All subjects enrolled in this study will have serum collected to test autoantibodies including anti-AQP4 and anti-MOG using cell-based assays with transfected cells.8 Pediatric patients with positive testing for these autoantibodies will be analyzed separately. Exploratory MRI sub-study In 10 patients recruited at Hospital São Lucas PUCRS, we will perform an exploratory substudy with advanced MRI using q-space diffusion protocol on a 3-Tesla MRI (GE Signa HDx 3.0T, General Electric, Milwaukee, WI, USA) and a 8-channel head coil to visualize remyelinating brain MS lesions. Normalized leptokurtic diffusion (NLD) data will be acquired using diffusion-weighted echo planar imaging. All MRI scans from this exploratory study will be performed at the Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns). Only patients with previous brain demyelinating lesions will be included in this exploratory sub-study.

Who can participate

Age range

1 Month – 18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

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Inclusion criteria

. Parents / patient have an understanding, ability and willingness to fully comply with study procedures
. Parents / patient have the ability to provide voluntary written, signed and dated informed consent to participate in the study
. Be 6 months - 18 years of age at screening
. Have clinical evidence of at least 1 attack suggestive of idiopathic inflammatory CNS disorder
. Have at least one brain MRI with available images (for review)

Exclusion criteria

. Current evidence or known history of clinically significant infection including:

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Convertion rate to MS

Timeframe: 2 years

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03087136

SponsorPontificia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2025-03-31

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