Combating Age-related Failure of Myelination in Multiple Sclerosis: An Exploratory Study (MAPMyeMS)

July 20, 2026 updated by: Sarah Simmons, MD, PhD, University of Washington

Combating Age-related Failure of Myelination in Multiple Sclerosis: an Exploratory Study

This observational, longitudinal study will examine whether physical activity and other potentially modifiable lifestyle factors are associated with changes in myelin, the protective coating around nerve fibers, in older adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). Participants will undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to measure myelin throughout the central nervous system and will wear wrist-worn activity trackers to assess physical activity over time.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

The primary aim of this study is to explore clinical variables and potentially modifiable risk factors that are associated with improved myelination (both enhanced remyelination and reduced demyelination) in older adults living with multiple sclerosis. The emphasis here will be on discovery and generation of pilot data to support further definitive longitudinal observational studies, and ultimately, clinical trials on behavioral and/or pharmaceutical interventions to prevent demyelination and promote remyelination in people living with MS.

Participants will be categorized based on whether they meet or exceed the current physical activity guidelines of at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination.

At both baseline and 6 months, MRI and clinical assessments will be obtained, and chart review will be performed. Participants will wear a wrist-worn physical activity monitor and answer monthly questionnaires (assessed via REDCap survey) throughout the study period.

Linear regression will be performed to estimate the effect size of various physical activity variables (step count, sedentary time, and time spent in light/moderate/vigorous physical activity, aerobic capacity and overall strength) with 6-month change in myelination.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
14

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: Susan R Robles, BS
  • Phone Number: 206-598-0501
  • Email: msstudy@uw.edu

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Washington
      • Seattle, Washington, United States, 98133
        • Multiple Sclerosis Center at UW Medical Center - Northwest
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Sarah B Simmons, MD, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants will include adults age 50-70 (inclusive) with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in the Greater Seattle area.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
  • Independent with ambulation (able to walk 500m without aid)
  • Disease duration >10 years
  • Age 50 to 70 years (inclusive)
  • Be able to read, speak, and understand English

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of other neurologic disease that would interfere with interpretation such as stroke, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), neuromyelitis optica (NMO), and sarcoidosis.
  • Inability to complete study procedures (including obtaining MRI at BMIC and using Fitbit connected to smartphone)
  • Currently participating in another clinical trial on remyelination
  • Pregnancy. (Pregnancy status will be asked at screening and before each MRI. Pregnancy testing will not be offered as part of this study.)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Adults With Multiple Sclerosis
Participants with multiple sclerosis, age 50-70 (inclusive) will undergo quantitative MRI assessments, wearable activity monitoring, and questionnaire-based assessments over the study period.
Other: Observation
No intervention is administered. Participants undergo observational assessments including MRI, wearable activity monitoring, and questionnaires.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Quantitative MRI-derived myelin measure
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Change in MRI-derived measures of myelin content within the central nervous system. Specifically, the investigators will use macromolecular proton fraction (MPF), a quantitative MRI parameter which describes the magnetization transfer effect and defined as the relative amount of protons bound to biological macromolecules with restricted molecular motion.
Baseline and 6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Total step count
Time Frame: Continuously collected during the 6-month study period
Total step count will measured using wrist-worn activity tracker.
Continuously collected during the 6-month study period
Self-reported physical activity
Time Frame: Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period
Physical activity will be measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). This questionnaire will ask participants about their moderate and vigorous physical activity and time spent walking, to give a total sum score of Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET). Higher calculated (MET) scores indicate greater physical activity.
Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period
Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC)
Time Frame: baseline and 6 months
The MSFC assesses walking function, hand function, and cognitive function and gives a composite score.
baseline and 6 months
Low Contrast Letter Acuity
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
The LCLA assesses visual function
Baseline and 6 months
Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)
Time Frame: Throughout the 6-month period
MVPA will be measured via wrist-worn physical activity monitor
Throughout the 6-month period
Sedentary Time
Time Frame: Throughout the 6-month period
Sedentary Time will be measured via wrist-worn fitness tracker
Throughout the 6-month period
Self-reported sedentary time
Time Frame: Baseline and monthly throughout the 6-month period
Self-reported sedentary time will be measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). This questionnaire will ask participants about their time spent sitting over the past 7 days, as an estimate of sedentary time.
Baseline and monthly throughout the 6-month period

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Physical Function
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Physical function will be measured using the PROMIS Physical Function-MS 15a. This self-report questionnaire assesses participants' physical functioning and ability to perform everyday activities.
Baseline and 6 months
Diet Quality
Time Frame: Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.
Diet will be measured using the Dietary Screener Questionnaire (DSQ), a self-report questionnaire that assesses the frequency of consumption of selected foods and beverages during the previous month to estimate intake of key dietary components, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, fiber, and added sugars. The outcome measure will be the total DSQ-derived diet quality score.
Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.
Sleep Quality
Time Frame: Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.
Sleep quality will be measured with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sleep Disturbance Short Form 8a, version 1.0. Responses from each item will be summed to form a total raw score ranging from 8-40. Higher scores indicate higher self-reported levels of sleep disturbance.
Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.
Stress
Time Frame: Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.
Stress will be measured using the Perceived Stress Scale, a 10-item self-report questionnaire that measures the degree to which situations in an individual's life are appraised as stressful during the previous month. Higher scores indicate greater perceived stress. Raw scores range from 0 to 40 and use reverse scoring for some items.
Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.
Depressive Symptom Severity
Time Frame: Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.
This outcome will be measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire- 8 (PHQ-8), a 8-item self-report measure that assesses the frequency and severity of depressive symptoms experienced during the previous 2 weeks. Higher scores indicate greater depressive symptom burden.
Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.
Fatigue Severity
Time Frame: Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.
Fatigue will be measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale, a 9-item self-report questionnaire that evaluates the severity of fatigue and its impact on daily activities, work, family, and social functioning. Higher scores indicate greater fatigue severity.
Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.
Alcohol Use
Time Frame: Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.
This will be measured via the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption (AUDIT-C), a 3-item screening measure that assesses alcohol consumption patterns, including drinking frequency, quantity, and frequency of heavy drinking episodes. Higher scores indicate greater alcohol use and risk for hazardous drinking.
Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.
Cannabis Use
Time Frame: Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.
This information will be collected through an adapted version of the Daily Sessions, Frequency, Age of Onset, and Quantity of Cannabis Use Inventory (DFAQ-CU), a self-report measure that assesses cannabis use history and patterns, including age of initiation, frequency of use, quantity consumed, and methods of administration.
Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.
Tobacco Use
Time Frame: Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.
This information will be collected through a self-developed questionnaire detailing self-reported tobacco and nicotine product use, including current use status, frequency of use, duration of use, and product type.
Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.
Comorbidity Burden
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
This information will be collected using a self-reported questionnaire of presence of physician-diagnosed medical and psychiatric comorbid conditions. Comorbidity burden may be summarized as the total number of reported comorbidities.
Baseline and 6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Washington

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
August 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
June 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
July 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
July 15, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 20, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
July 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
July 23, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 20, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • STUDY00025928

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

Study data may be shared in de-identified form with outside researchers and collaborators as requested and deemed acceptable by study investigators.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAP
  • ICF
  • ANALYTIC_CODE
  • CSR

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings