Volunteers with transverse myelitis or multiple sclerosis or NMO needed

CNS Growth Factor Release and Changes in the Inflammatory Environment in Response to Electrical Stimulation in Subjects with Inflammatory Myelopathies.  Principal Investigator: Daniel Becker, MD

The International Center for Spinal Cord Injury (ICSCI) at Kennedy Krieger Institute

This research is being done to study the effect of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) cycling on factors in blood and spinal cord in people with history of spinal cord inflammation as seen in TM, MS, and NMO (non-traumatic spinal cord injury).  FES cycling is a method of applying low level electrical currents to the leg and buttock muscles to cause the weakened or paralyzed muscles to contract and produce a cycling motion of the legs. The FES cycling in this study will be done through a device called the RT300-SL Cycle Ergometer (RT300).  The goal of this study is to determine which amount of FES biking is the optimal dose to result in the best recovery.  There is no monetary compensation.  There is no cost to the participants.  No medical insurance is required. 

The study requires adults (18 or older) with TM or MS or NMO at any level who are willing and able to come to Baltimore for 3 weeks to enroll and participate in this trial.  People would be randomized into 1 of 4 groups receiving differing amounts of FES biking per week and with and without electrical stimulation.  Spinal fluid and blood will be taken at the beginning of the study and at the end of the 3 week period. 

For additional information or to enroll in the study, please call the ICSCI Clinical Research Coordinator at (443)923-9235 or email clinicaltrials@spinalcordrecovery.org.  Please be prepared to leave a detailed message, including the name of the study you are interested in and your contact information so that you can receive a confidential message in response.  You may also visit the ICSCI website at www.spinalcordrecovery.org.  The specific link to the study description is: www.spinalcordrecovery.org/NA_00041441.php