Study of Retinal Blood Flow and Nerve Changes in Adults With Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

What this Trial Is About

Multiple sclerosis MS is a condition affecting about 2.3 million people worldwide, typically diagnosed around age 30 and more common in women. It is identified by lesions in the central nervous system seen through clinical exams and MRI scans. This research aims to explore whether functional changes in the retina, beyond known anatomical changes, can be detected in MS patients by studying how the retinas blood flow responds to flicker light, reflecting the link between nerve activity and blood flow. The study compares patients with relapsing-remitting MS, including those with a history of optic neuritis, to healthy individuals matched by age and sex. Various devices will be used to measure retinal features the Dynamic Vessel Analyzer DVA for vessel diameter and oxygen levels, Fourier Domain Doppler Optical Coherence Tomography FDOCT for blood flow, Optical Coherence Tomography OCT for nerve fiber and retinal thickness, and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography OCTA for microvasculature. These assessments focus on both functional and structural retinal changes. Participants will undergo measurements on a single day, including flicker-induced retinal blood flow changes, vessel diameters, oxygen saturation, nerve fiber layer thickness, and specific flow signals. Researchers will monitor these parameters to understand retinal neurovascular function in MS. The study includes both patients and healthy volunteers, with all tests performed non-invasively. The total participation time is one day, with safety and data collected during this visit.

Retinal Neuro-vascular Coupling in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis