newcastle lab study

In this study, we will recruit 54 individuals with MS (18 from each group: naturally cycling females, hormonal contraceptive users, and males) who will participate in a laboratory-based assessment of nervous system function in three phases of the menstrual cycle (for those naturally cycling) and at comparable intervals in control groups.

During each visit, participants will complete a three-part assessment:

1. They will complete questionnaires about MS symptoms and quality of life;
2. They will perform dexterity, balance, and walk tests to look at how activities of daily living are affected;
3. They will perform a nervous system assessment. The latter will involve using non-invasive brain stimulation to study how movement commands are generated, as well as techniques that record the electrical activity of a lower leg muscle to see how these commands are then converted into movement;
4. Finally, participants will provide one 10ml blood sample to allow measurement of concentrations of sex hormones (e.g. oestrogen and progesterone) at each time point.

Participants will receive a reimbursement for their time commitment.