NINDS Biomarkers in Multiple Sclerosis (BioMS) Study

OBJECTIVES

 

Objective #1: Identification of biomarkers (genes or proteins) that are associated with the following MRI measures: a) the extent of inflammation, b) T2 lesion load over time, c) black hole fraction (T1 holes) over time, and d) atrophy over time.

 

Objective #2: Identification of biomarkers (genes or proteins), which allow us, in conjunction with MRI parameters, to stratify MS patients into pathogenetically meaningful, MRI-defined subgroups. The four MRI subgroups (Bielekova et al., submitted) will be used for comparison.

 

Objective #3: Identification of biomarkers (genes or proteins), that are associated with clinical parameters , a) clinical course (time to develop a defined increase in EDSS; relapse rate, MSFC), or allow the distinction of responders versus non-responders to treatment with interferon- b, glatiramer-acetate or the combination of the two drugs. 

 

Objective #4: Identification of biomarkers (genes or proteins) that discriminate patients with MS from healthy, matched control individuals.