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Purpose

This study looks to characterize gradients of dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system in patients with clinically diagnosed multiple sclerosis. The autonomic nervous system plays key roles in regulation of blood pressure, skin blood flow, and bladder health- all issues that individuals with multiple sclerosis typically suffer. Focusing on blood pressure regulation, the most precise metric with broad clinical applicability, the investigators will perform laboratory-based tests to probe the body's ability to generate autonomic responses. For both individuals with multiple sclerosis and uninjured controls, laboratory-based experiments will utilize multiple parallel recordings to identify how the autonomic nervous system is able to inhibit and activate signals. The investigators anticipate that those with autonomic dysfunction with multiple sclerosis will exhibit abnormalities in these precise metrics. The investigators will look to see if any substantial connections exist between different degrees of preserved autonomic function and secondary autonomic complications from multiple sclerosis. In accomplishing this, the investigators hope to give scientists important insights to how the autonomic nervous system works after multiple sclerosis and give physicians better tools to manage these secondary autonomic complications.

Conditions

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 50 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • 18-50 years old - clinically confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis -OR- uninjured control

Exclusion Criteria

  • symptoms of cardiovascular (including, but not limited to: hypertension, stroke, chest pain, etc.), respiratory, peripheral neurological or autonomic disease (particularly diabetes mellitus requiring treatment) - women who are pregnant or lactating - having a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m2 - taking or being administered a medication known to potentially have adverse interactions with phenylephrine - in the judgement of the principal investigator or clinical collaborator, any illness or condition that will interfere with the patient's ability to comply with the protocol, compromise patient safety, or interfere with the interpretation of the study results

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Non-Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Diagnostic
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Individuals with multiple sclerosis
  • Diagnostic Test: Tests of sympathetic inhibition
    Bolus phenylephrine infusion using the Oxford technique will generate the need to inhibit sympathetic activity. Similarly, resting state Mayer waves will be assessed with regard to heart rate and blood pressure responses.
  • Diagnostic Test: Tests of sympathetic activation
    Cold pressor test of the hand will be used to cause sympathetic activation. Valsalva's maneuver will assess the ability to buffer against blood pressure fall (phase II).
  • Diagnostic Test: Testing of autonomic dysreflexia
    Cold pressor test of the foot and bladder pressor response will be tested.
Experimental
Individuals without multiple sclerosis
  • Diagnostic Test: Tests of sympathetic inhibition
    Bolus phenylephrine infusion using the Oxford technique will generate the need to inhibit sympathetic activity. Similarly, resting state Mayer waves will be assessed with regard to heart rate and blood pressure responses.
  • Diagnostic Test: Tests of sympathetic activation
    Cold pressor test of the hand will be used to cause sympathetic activation. Valsalva's maneuver will assess the ability to buffer against blood pressure fall (phase II).
  • Diagnostic Test: Testing of autonomic dysreflexia
    Cold pressor test of the foot and bladder pressor response will be tested.

Recruiting Locations

Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota 55902
Contact:
Erin Lund
507-284-9298
lund.erin@mayo.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Mayo Clinic

Study Contact

Erin Lund
507-284-9298
lund.erin@mayo.edu

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.