Vitamin E and Selenium and Ginkgo in Multiple Sclerosis - Clinical Trials Registry

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune mediated disease of the central nervous system that affects over 350,000 Americans. T lymphocytes, macrophages and soluble mediators of inflammation cause demyelination and axonal injury in MS. Activated macrophages release nitric oxide and oxygen free radicals that cause demyelination and axonal injury in MS and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Natural antioxidants may favorably influence the course of MS by decreasing oxidative injury. Chronic relapsing EAE in mouse models is clinically and pathologically useful for testing potential therapies for MS.

This study will assess three natural antioxidant regimens for their potential as treatments for MS: Ginkgo biloba, alpha-lipoic acid/essential fatty acids, and vitamin E/selenium. The effects of each regimen will be compared to determine which regimen appears most effective at suppressing EAE and decreasing markers of oxidative injury in patients with MS. As part of this study, two smaller trials will be conducted. A Phase I/II trial in patients with MS will determine if the selected antioxidant regimen can decrease disease activity as detected with gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. The results of this study will serve as the basis for a Phase III trial to assess the long term effectiveness of natural antioxidant therapy in MS.

Study Type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2
Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Locations

United States
- Oregon
  - Portland, Oregon, United States, 97207
    - Oregon Health Sciences University

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

Ages Eligible for Study

1 second and older (Child, Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Exclusion Criteria:

Pregnant
Other significant health problems

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

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

Investigators

Principal Investigator: Dr. Dennis Bourdette, VA Medical Center-Brooklyn

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

September 1, 1999

Study Completion

December 1, 2004

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 2, 2001

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria