BEAMS Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Belfast Eye And Multiple Sclerosis Study
IRAS ID
241938
Contact name
Imre Lengyel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Governance, Ethics and Integrity | Queen’s University Belfast
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Northern Ireland has one of the highest incidence rates of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and 300 such patients with detailed characterization of their disease status are being recruited by the Northern Irish Multiple sclerosis Research Network (NIMSRN). The cohort will include a wide range of disease severities from those from slow to fast and early to late progressors as well as healthy volunteers. As part of the study ’Investigating functional immune profiles in the peripheral immune system of Multiple Sclerosis patients (15/YH/0171)’ led by Dr Denise Fitzgerald, participants were asked if they wished to be contacted about future research projects in this area. Individuals who have agreed to be contacted regarding participation in future research projects will be contacted about this study.
There are ongoing clinical trials for MS with varied ophthalmology protocols to determine how vision influences daily functioning; most rely on examination of the optic nerve.
Retinal neurodegeneration around the optic disc and in the macula measured by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), is positively correlated with the level of clinical disability in MS.
We will use known OCT biomarkers as well as new imaging and functional modalities to characterize eye phenotypes of people with different severity of MS (pwMS).
With the NIMSRN Cohort, we will be able to determine which retinal imaging tests are feasible, meaningful in providing insight into the neurodegenerative changes both in the brain and the retina.
Dr. Lengyel and Prof Peto played leading roles in delivering cutting-edge retinal imaging techniques in eye-imaging research to overcome the difficulties and the burden to patients of brain imaging and testing. They will bring this expertise to the characterization of patients to gain a deeper insight into MS related eye disease development and progression.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0334
Date of REC Opinion
3 May 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion