The IMAGiNe Study (Immunoglobulin M(IgM)-Anti-myelin-associated-glycoprotein (MAG) Peripheral Neuropathy Study) aims to create a standardized database and biobank to be used for the research and analysis of Anti-MAG peripheral neuropathy. The goal is to be able to identify and predict the disease progression and treatment response, drawing on the information and DNA collected from the biobank and patient database. The hope is that researchers will be able to determine cause and treatments for sufferers of the disease.
Anti-MAG peripheral neuropathy is a form of peripheral neuropathy caused by a rare autoimmune condition. With this type of peripheral neuropathy, a patient’s immune system attacks cells that are vital in maintaining a healthy peripheral nervous system. As these cells are destroyed by antibodies, they lose function and impact sensory and motor functions. More information on this condition can be found on the FPN website.
Current members of the multinational consortium include UMC Utrecht (Netherlands), Johns Hopkins Hospital (USA), National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (UK), Haspital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau (Spain), Clinical Center of Serbia (Serbia), Hopital de la Salpetriere (France), Humanitas Clinical Institute (Italy) and University Padova (Italy).
FPN will be working closely with Johns Hopkins University as US study coordinator to determine the parameters of the study and to expand the participating centers and patients in the United States.
The global experts behind the IMAGiNe study hope to fill a major gap in medical research on ‘anti-MAG’ through this study. We all hope this leads to better understanding of the condition and new treatments that improve the lives of patients living with “anti-MAG.”
For general information about the IMAGiNe study, please email info@tffpn.org.
Patients interested in participating in the IMAGiNe study should email Simone Thomas at Johns Hopkins University at sthom125@jhmi.edu. Participating patients must meet qualifying criteria including having been diagnosed with Ant-MAG peripheral neuropathy and other criteria. Participants must be able to travel to Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology in Baltimore for all initial evaluation and follow-up study visits.
