Vascular Fundus Changes in Patients With High Probability of Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI)

April 2, 2015 updated by: Diana Driscoll, O.D., Genetic Disease Investigators

Vascular Fundus Changes in Patients With High Probability of CCSVI (Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency)

The investigators propose that evidence of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) may be evident in the vasculature of the fundus. The investigators will be examining fundi of multiple sclerosis patients and Ehlers-Danlos patients to see if evidence of CCSVI can be found in these patients having high risk for CCSVI. The investigators will read the fundus photos, compared to age-matched normals in a "blind" fashion.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) has been proposed as the cause of numerous neurodegenerative diseases of the brain. CCSVI is the result of poor drainage of blood (and cerebral spinal fluid to some degree) from weakened or stenosed veins usually located in the cervical area (most notably the internal jugular veins). Although current focus and treatment of CCSVI is on multiple sclerosis, CCSVI has also been implicated as a potential cause of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's Disease. Additionally, patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) -- a disorder of connective tissue -- are more prone to developing multiple sclerosis than the general population. Many EDS patients are known to have weakened and abnormal blood vessels and 40 - 70% of EDS patients develop autonomic dysfunction in addition to numerous other symptoms found in patients with CCSVI. In the small subset of EDS and multiple sclerosis patients seen at Total Eye Care, the investigators have noticed a vascular irregularity (using the optomap® and examining the results under high magnification) which offers credence to the theory of CCSVI. Such objective data has been elusive, excepting for fMRI, ultrasound (to a limited degree) and venous angioplasty results. Current treatment of CCSVI involves the ballooning and sometimes stenting, of abnormally stenosed veins. The treatment of CCSVI offers hope to many patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. Although CCSVI research is in its infancy, many doctors believe that CCSVI is a significant portion of the solution to patients with neurodegenerative diseases of the brain. Because CCSVI is a vascular disorder, the investigators hypothesize that the investigators are able to screen candidates for CCSVI via the optomap®.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

60

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
    • Texas
      • Colleyville, Texas, United States, 76034
        • Total Eye Care

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

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Aged-matched normals are patients at Total Eye Care. Multiple sclerosis and/or Ehlers-Danlos patients will be accepted from any area, and will not be excluded based on location of residence. They need not be patients of Total Eye Care.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • age matched normals
  • patients with diagnosed or suspected Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and/or diagnosed or suspected Multiple Sclerosis ("CIS")

Exclusion Criteria:

  • diabetics and patients unable to sit in position for testing are excluded

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

  • Observational Models: Case-Control
  • Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Multiple sclerosis and or Ehlers-Danlos
Patients with suspected or confirmed cases of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and or Multiple Sclerosis
Age matched normals

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Fundus: venous engorgement/beading
Time Frame: Baseline
Abnormal vessel appearance in fundi may include venous engorgement and beading, abnormal A/V ratio, blurred disc margins, papilledema, dot hemorrhages or exudates.
Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Genetic Disease Investigators

Collaborators

Optos, PLC

Investigators

  • Study Director: Diana L Driscoll, O.D., Genetic Disease Investigators
  • Principal Investigator: Richard A Driscoll, O.D., Genetic Disease Investigators
  • Study Chair: Clair A Francomano, M.D., Harvey Institute for Human Genetics

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Helpful Links

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

May 1, 2011

Primary Completion (Actual)

April 1, 2015

Study Completion (Actual)

April 1, 2015

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 12, 2011

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 17, 2011

First Posted (Estimate)

May 19, 2011

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

April 3, 2015

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 2, 2015

Last Verified

April 1, 2015

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 61/3527

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.

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