This project is supported by a 3-year $834K grant from the Department of Defense, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) on Multiple Sclerosis.
The goal of our study is to develop a test of sensorimotor function in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to accurately track symptom progression and discriminate between individuals who have progressive and non-progressive MS. Many individuals with MS have sensory loss and difficulty sensing body position, and these deficits can impair balance and motor function. This research builds on our previous work supported by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) in which we investigated the sensorimotor changes during balance and walking tasks in individuals with the non-progressive form of MS.
To achieve this goal we will perform the following experiments, which have been divided into two parts. In Part I, we will determine which measures of sensation (skin sensation, body awareness) and motor function (rapid foot tapping) best differentiate between individuals with progressive and non-progressive MS and thereby create the MS Neuromotor Test. In Part II, we will follow participants for two years using the sensorimotor measures from Part I to determine how sensation and motor function change in those with progressive MS by repeating these measurements every six months. Three study groups (with 30 participants each) will be recruited: one with individuals who have progressive MS, one with individuals who have non-progressive MS, and one with individuals who do not have MS.
Ultimately, we aim to create a measure that can accurately detect small changes in sensation and motor function, so that clinicians and researchers can develop new effective new therapies aimed at slowing or stopping the worsening of disability in people with MS.
The research team is an alliance between the Departments of Kinesiology at UMass Amherst and Clinical Neurology at UMass Worcester. Investigators on the grant are Richard van Emmerik, John Buonaccorsi and Jane Kent from UMass Amherst and Carolina Ionete and Farnaz Khalighinejad from UMass Worcester. Other collaborators include Stepanie Jones from Smith College and Jongil Lim from Texas A&M San Antonio.