Our main research aims to understand how people can usually distinguish a light touch from painful stimuli. However, for individuals with chronic conditions, this distinction can be altered and nonpainful stimuli (light touch and cooling) can be perceived as painful. In Multiple Sclerosis (MS), detecting early changes in sensory function and biological markers is
crucial to studying and managing disease onset and progression.
In the context of our research, this current study aims to characterise the mechanisms associated with pain in MS and identify biomarkers reflecting the disease state.
By combining blood collection with your answers to the survey and sensory tests, we aim to understand better the molecular basis of your disease and its management. During our meeting, we will collect a venous blood sample (~10 minutes), ask you to fill out a survey (~20 minutes) and describe your response to a range of mechanical and thermal sensory tests (~20 minutes).
Participants will receive 25$ at the end of the session to thank them for participating.
A detailed description of the project and the survey will be explained to you before starting the study and asking for your consent.

25 AUD

Clinical diagnosis of Relapsing and Remitting Multiple Sclerosis or diagnosis
of an autoimmune disease (e.g. Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Crohn's disease, …).

None

Already started

If you are interested in participating in this study or want to know more, please contact Dr David A. Mahns, Associate Professor in Physiology on Tel +61 2 4620 3784 or email d.mahns@westernsydney.edu.au
If you agree to participate in this study, you may be asked to sign the Participant Consent Form. The information sheet is for you to keep, and the consent form is retained by the researcher/s.

For further details, see here.

NSW
The study will be embedded within the Macarthur Clinical School (Campbeltown Hospital) and the Western Sydney School of Medicine (Campbeltown Campus).

Yes

14/05/2024