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

NCT07723599 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: STUDY00025928
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 14
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Keywords

remyelination; demyelination; physical activity; multiple sclerosis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Quantitative MRI-derived myelin measure

  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 Outcomes (7)

• Total step count

  Continuously collected during the 6-month study period

• Self-reported physical activity

  Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period

• Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC)

  baseline and 6 months

• Low Contrast Letter Acuity

  Baseline and 6 months

• Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)

  Throughout the 6-month period

Other Outcomes (10)

• Physical Function

  Baseline and 6 months

• Diet Quality

  Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.

• Sleep Quality

  Baseline and monthly for the 6-month study period.

Study Arms (1)

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

Interventions

Observation OTHER

No intervention is administered. Participants undergo observational assessments including MRI, wearable activity monitoring, and questionnaires.

Adults With Multiple Sclerosis

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 50 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• 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.

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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.)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Washington: lead

Study Sites (1)

Multiple Sclerosis Center at UW Medical Center - Northwest

Seattle, Washington, 98133, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis; Demyelinating Diseases; Motor Activity

Interventions

Observation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System; Nervous System Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Methods; Investigative Techniques

Central Study Contacts

Susan R Robles, BS

CONTACT

206-598-0501; msstudy@uw.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor, Rehabilitation Medicine

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 15, 2026
• First Posted: July 23, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2027
• Last Updated: July 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, CSR, ANALYTIC CODE

Locations

US (1)