Axonal metabolic recovery and potential neuroprotective effect of glatiramer acetate in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

What Was Tested

This clinical trial paper looks at Glatiramer Acetate in the context of multiple sclerosis.

In a pilot study to investigate the effect of GA on axonal injury, the researchers performed combined brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MRS studies in 18 treatment naïve RRMS patients initiating therapy with GA at baseline and annually for two years on therapy.

Why It Was Studied

Glatiramer acetate (GA) is a disease-modifying therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with several putative mechanisms of action.

Currently, there is paucity of in vivo human data linking the well-established peripheral immunologic effects of therapy with GA to its potential effects inside the central nervous system (CNS).

Who Took Part

According to the abstract, 18 patients were involved.

PubMed indexes the participants as adults and middle-aged adults, both men and women.

How the Study Was Run

The design is described as pilot.

It is described as a pilot, a small early test of whether a larger Glatiramer Acetate study would be practical.

NAA/Cr was measured in a large central brain volume of interest (VOI) as well as the normal appearing white matter (NAWM) within the VOI.

What Was Measured

The subject headings attached to it are Aspartic Acid, Axons, Creatine, Glatiramer Acetate, Immunosuppressive Agents, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a pilot study of Glatiramer Acetate in 18 patients in people with multiple sclerosis.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The publication is from 2005 (Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)), a journal based in England.

More context: the Glatiramer Acetate compound page, Multiple sclerosis research.