Hematopoietic Stem Cell Support in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
Medication followed by stem cell infusion to assess whether this produces a normal immune system.

Early Mechanical Ventilation for Guillain Barré Syndrome Can early mechanical ventilation prevent hospital-acquired pneumonia in adults with GBS?

Residual fatigue after apparent recovery from GBS
This study aims to assess fatigue and quality of life in post-GBS patients, as well as to find effective treatment for residual fatigue.

The Changes of Cytokines in Guillain Barré Syndrome: the Correlation With Clinical Manifestations and Skin Innervation

Treatment of CIDP With Gamunex®, Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human), 10% Caprylate/Chromatography Purified
The study is enrolling CIDP patients, age 18 or older, for a 1-year period. It will evaluate the efficacy of treatment with Gamunex, compared with placebo, on the effect of functional disability. Results are expected by 2006.

CIDP - Study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an experimental drug in CIDP patients.

Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Rituximab in Patients with Anti-Glycoconjugate Antibody-Mediated Demyelinating Neuropathy: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial
This study will test the safety and effectiveness of the drug Rituximab in treating MGUS/PDN.
Patients with MGUS have an abnormal protein called monoclonal IgM immunoglobulin that attacks nerve myelin sheath. Immuno-suppressive drugs or Ig infusions can produce mild and transient improvement, but the benefits are not significant.
The abnormal immunoglobulin protein in MGUS is produced by white cells called B lymphocytes. Rituximab appears promising in patients with demyelinating neuropathy associated with production of antibodies from B lymphocytes directed against certain nerve proteins.
Protocol number: 03-N-0057
posted here 05.2003

Assessment of Chronic Guillain-Barre Syndrome Improvement with Use of 4-aminopyridine [registration required]
This US study will assess the usefulness and safety of 4-amino-pyridine (4-AP) in patients suffering chronic functional deficits from GBS. 4-AP is a potassium channel blocker that could potentially improve nerve conduction, particularly across partially demyelinated axons. Increasing nerve conduction may improve motor performance as well as decreased fatigue. Over 20% of GBS patients have permanent residual motor deficits that affect their daily life.
NLM Identifier NCT00056810
posted here: 05.2003

The effect of exercise on peripheral neuropathies.
This London-based research project is investigating the effect of a 12-week exercise program on strength, fitness and quality of life. Volunteers with peripheral neuropathies required to take part. You may be suitable for the study if you have either:
- GBS and are more than 1 year after onset, or
- CIDP with no periods of worsening in your condition over the last 6 months.
The results of this study will be used in a large trial into the effect of home exercise on disability in peripheral neuropathy.
posted here: 03.2003

Diagnostic Evaluation of Patients with Neuromuscular Diseases
posted here: 03.2003

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Research Lost in Katrina Flood [reg. required, free]
Flood waters engulfing New Orleans laboratories may have damaged not only research facilities, but also destroyed irreplaceable data, tissue samples, and animals involved in ongoing medical studies. Learn more about the implications of research disrupted by hurricane Katrina.

Pain: Hope Through Research
How research fuels growing understanding of this syndrome, which in turn fuels further research in various treatments.

Rewiring the Body
The emerging vision of the body electric, and how high-tech implants can increase neurostimulation, which eliminates or alleviates some symptoms of diseases such as depression, epilepsy etc.
posted 06.2005

Neurorecovery, Inc. Announces Clinical Trial Schedule For 2005
Ampydin (4AP) is currently in late Stage Two human trials for chronic Guillain-Barre syndrome. Stage Three trials are expected to begin in spring 2005.
posted 04.2005

Genome Comparison of Four Campylobacter Strains Yields Genetic Markers
In a study that will benefit medical and food-safety research, scientists used comparative genomics to find out why some strains of Campylobacter – which cause more than 400 million cases of gastrointestinal disease each year – are more virulent than others.
posted 02.2005

Multiple Campylobacter Genomes Sequenced
Sequencing the genomes of several Campylobacter strains and species have led to the discovery of differences and similarities between them. This will enable scientists to learn what makes the bacteria tick, and to develop new ways to monitor and control Campylobacter in the food chain and in human infection.
posted 02.2005

Research turning up the heat on fowl bacteria
In the US, where undercooked poultry and meat, unpasteurised milk and untreated water are the most common causes of diarrhea, microbiologists are researching exactly how C. jejuni causes food-poisoning, in order to try to prepare a vaccine.
posted: 01.2005

Cattle linked to common stomach bug
New Zealand experts find that cattle carry Campylobacter. Contact with animals, drinking untreated milk and water, and swimming in contaminated water appears to be "equally, if not more responsible" than eating chicken and other foods for most cases.
posted: 01.2005

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IL-6 linked to transverse myelitis and multiple sclerosis
Researchers have discovered a molecule that causes an autoimmune disease in the central nervous system, called transverse myelitis (TM), that is related to multiple sclerosis. TM is also related to GBS..

Bacterial infections promote T cell recognition of self-glycolipids.
De Libero, G., Moran, A.P., et al. Immunity, Vol. 22, June, 2005, pages 763–772. [read review]

Electrophysiological signs of permanent axonal loss in a follow-up study of patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Dornonville de la Cour C, Andersen H, Stalberg E, Fuglsang-Frederiksen A, Jakobsen J. Muscle Nerve. 2005 Jan;31(1):70-7.
Axonal loss occurs in a substantial number of GBS patients and is associated with permanent muscle weakness caused by insufficient reinnervation. Possible patterns of pathology are discussed in relation to the macro-EMG findings.
posted here: 06.2005

Residual neuropathy in long-term population-based follow-up of Guillain-Barre syndrome.
de la Cour CD, Jakobsen J. Neurology. 2005 Jan 25;64(2):246-53.
Residual neuropathy affecting large- and medium-sized myelinated fibers endures long after the acute attack of Guillain-Barre syndrome in approximately half of all patients, leads to motor and sensory dysfunction, and shows a trend toward impairing self-reported physical health status.
posted here: 06.2005

Study Documents Decline in Rare Paralytic Disorder Linked to Influenza Vaccination
The number of reported cases of GBS that occur following influenza vaccination has decreased over the past 12 years.
posted here: 05.2005

Cancer trial participants rarely told of results
Clinical trial participants want to know the results of their studies. Communication with patients following participation in a clinical trial is one small, though important, piece of the overall care of patients who participate in trials.

Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Exploratory, Safety Study of Recombitant beta- interferon la Given by subcutaneous Injection three times a week to Patients Suffering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome. [registration required]
UK trial investigates the safety and tolerability of treatment with REBIF for up to 24 weeks in patients suffering from GBS. REBIF has never used at this dose or in patients with GBS.
The trial also investigates the effect of treatment with REBIF on overall disability in patients suffering from GBS.
Duration: 1998-2001
Contact person: Dr JB Winer
ID: N0265041711
posted here: 05.2003

Phase III Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Intravenous Immune Globulin for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy [registration required]
Compare the response of previously untreated CIDP patients to intravenous immune globulin vs. placebo.
NLM Identifier NCT00004772
posted here: 05.2003

Second immunoglobulin dose Guillain-Barre syndrome trial
[registration required]
Does a second imunoglobulin course offer a clinically important advantage over a single course in patients who are still severely affected with Guillain Barre syndrome 2 weeks after the start of the first course?
Duration: 2000-2002
Contact: Professor RAC Hughes
ID: N0116069211
posted here: 05.2003

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NHS R&D Health Technology Assessment Programme
The UK National Health System HTA programme collaborates with consumers in identifying areas into which research is needed. The needs-led programme seeks suggestions for research into areas of genuine uncertainty or important knowledge gaps. Check out the Call for Proposals, updated often.
posted here: 03.2003

The Myelin Project
Research into myelin repair.

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