comparison of brain atrophy rates, cognition, and patient-reported outcomes in ms patients using long-term fingolimod and glatiramer acetate

Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis

Summary: rates of brain atrophy for long term users of fingolimod when compared to glatiramer acetate have not been examined in patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (ms). as patients on long term therapy typically have little or no overt signs of white matter inflammatory activity (t2, gad lesions), brain atrophy measures can provide insight into whether there is continued progression of ms in these patients. what remains unknown is whether patients on a particular therapy have a slower rate of brain atrophy. this would provide convincing evidence that central nervous system tissue injury is further suppressed. such information would be of substantial clinical benefit when deciding between various therapies. the investigators will estimate the impact of long term use of fingolimod therapy (defined as a minimum of two years on therapy) on whole brain atrophy in treated patients with relapsing forms of ms as compared to age and gender matched patients on glatiramer acetate. the investigators secondary goal is to determine the correlation between brain atrophy and cognitive performance in treated patients with relapsing forms of ms. the investigators will also examine the correlation between the neuroqualityoflife (neuroqol) pros, patient self-reports of disability, clinical assessment of physical disability, work productivity, clinical assessments of cognitive functioning with whole brain volume loss for patients on long term fingolimod vs. long term glatiramer acetate therapy matched on age and gender. the investigators anticipate the findings of this study will generate relevant hypotheses about these relationships.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * must be able to provide written informed consent * between 18-55 years of age at the time of informed consent. * diagnosis of any form of ms as defined by the 2010 revised mcdonald criteria * currently taking fingolimod or glatiramer acetate for a minimum of two years at the time of the initial baseline visit * must be willing and able to comply with the protocol requirements for the duration of the study exclusion criteria: * suffering from comorbidities that could confound the mri outcomes or are (relative) contraindicated to receive treatment with fingolimod such as: * diabetes, * myocardial infarction, * unstable angina, * transient ischemic attack, * decompensated heart failure, * history of mobitz type ii 2nd or 3rd degree atrioventricular block, * sick sinus syndrome, * history of stroke, * history of traumatic brain injury, * history of encephalitis, * dementia (not related to ms). * systemic steroid used (oral or iv) within 30 days of the baseline visit. * ever treated with chemotherapy. * ever having undergone cranial radiation, or intracranial surgery. * unable to tolerate an mri scan. * is pregnant or breastfeeding or planning on pregnancy during the study period. * is decisionally challenged, illiterate or blind * is non-english speaking (as the pro instruments are only validated in english)