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Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

RECRUITINGPhase 1 / Phase 2INTERVENTIONAL

Assessing Changes in Multi-parametric MRI in MS Patients Taking Clemastine Fumarate as a Myelin Repair Therapy

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Delayed Treatment, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Assess the Changes in Multi-parametric MRI in MS Patients Taking Clemastine Fumarate as a Myelin Repair Therapy

Assessing Changes in Multi-parametric MRI in MS Patients Taking Clemastine Fumarate as a Myelin Repair Therapy (NCT05359653) is a Phase 1 / Phase 2 interventional studying Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting, sponsored by University of California, San Francisco. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

The clinical trial is intended to assess for clinical evidence of Clemastine Fumarate as a myelin repair therapy in patients with chronic inflammatory injury-causing demyelination as measured by multi-parametric MRI assessments. No reparative therapies exist for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Clemastine fumarate was identified along with a series of other antimuscarinic medications as a potential remyelinating agent using the micropillar screen (BIMA) developed at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Following in vivo validation, an FDA IND exemption was granted to investigate clemastine for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in the context of chronic optic neuropathy. That pilot study was recently completed and is the first randomized control trial documenting efficacy for a putative remyelinating agent for the treatment of MS. The preselected primary efficacy endpoint (visual evoked potential) was met and a strong trend to benefit was seen for the principal secondary endpoint assessing function (low contrast visual acuity). That trial number was 13-11577. This study seeks to follow up on that study and examine clemastine fumarate's protective and reparative effects in the context of chronic demyelinating brain lesions as imaged by multi-parametric MRI assessments. The investigators will be assessing the effects of clemastine fumarate as a remyelinating therapy and assessing its effect on MRI metrics of chronic lesions found in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. In addition to using conventional multi-parametric MRI assessments, this study will also evaluate a new MRI technique called Ultrashort Echo Time (UTE) MRI to assess the effects of clemastine fumarate as a remyelinating therapy of chronic lesions found in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and compare it to the other assessments.

What Stage of Research Is This?

Phase 1 trials test a new treatment for the first time in humans, focusing on safety, dosing, and how the body processes the drug. For Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a Phase 1 study typically enrolls a small number of participants — often healthy volunteers or patients who have exhausted standard treatment options. Phase 1 results determine whether a treatment moves into larger Phase 2 efficacy studies.

This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.

Target enrollment of 74 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Multiple Sclerosis (MS) subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - Written willing to sign a consent form must be obtained prior to any assessment being performed. - Patients diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis and a disease duration of \< 15 years - Male or female patients aged 18-55 years (inclusive) - Use of appropriate contraception during period of trial (women). Before entry women must be: - Post-menopausal for at least 1 year OR - Surgically sterile (have had a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy, tubal ligation, male partner vasectomy or otherwise incapable of pregnancy) OR - Practicing a highly effective method of birth control if sexually active, including hormonal prescription oral contraceptives, contraceptive injections, contraceptive patch, intrauterine device, double barrier method (e.g., condoms, diaphragm or cervical cap with spermicidal foam, cream or gel), or male partner sterilization consistent with local regulations regarding use of birth control methods for patients participating in clinical trials, for the duration of their participation in the study OR - Not heterosexually active (patients who are not heterosexually active at screening must agree to utilize a highly effective method of birth control if they become heterosexually active during their participation in the study) OR - Practicing true abstinence (when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject) Period abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, post ovulation methods) is not an acceptable method. Who Should NOT Join This Trial: - Radiologic identification of marked brain atrophy relative to patients age based on recent MRI and interpretation of expert neuroradiologist or PI - New lesion in most recent MRI (within 3 months) - Hypersensitivity to clemastine or other arylalkylamine antihistamines, or any of the excipients. - Treatment with corticosteroids within 30 days prior to screening. - Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≥ 4.5 ...See full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: * Written informed consent must be obtained prior to any assessment being performed. * Patients diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis and a disease duration of \< 15 years * Male or female patients aged 18-55 years (inclusive) * Use of appropriate contraception during period of trial (women). Before entry women must be: * Post-menopausal for at least 1 year OR * Surgically sterile (have had a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy, tubal ligation, male partner vasectomy or otherwise incapable of pregnancy) OR * Practicing a highly effective method of birth control if sexually active, including hormonal prescription oral contraceptives, contraceptive injections, contraceptive patch, intrauterine device, double barrier method (e.g., condoms, diaphragm or cervical cap with spermicidal foam, cream or gel), or male partner sterilization consistent with local regulations regarding use of birth control methods for patients participating in clinical trials, for the duration of their participation in the study OR * Not heterosexually active (patients who are not heterosexually active at screening must agree to utilize a highly effective method of birth control if they become heterosexually active during their participation in the study) OR * Practicing true abstinence (when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject) Period abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, post ovulation methods) is not an acceptable method. Exclusion Criteria: * Radiologic identification of marked brain atrophy relative to patients age based on recent MRI and interpretation of expert neuroradiologist or PI * New lesion in most recent MRI (within 3 months) * Hypersensitivity to clemastine or other arylalkylamine antihistamines, or any of the excipients. * Treatment with corticosteroids within 30 days prior to screening. * Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≥ 4.5 * History of significant cardiac conduction block. * History of cancer. * Suicidal ideation or behavior in 6 months prior to baseline. * Pregnancy, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant. * Involved with other study protocols simultaneously without prior approval. * Concomitant use of any other putative remyelinating therapy as determined by the investigator. * Prior treatment with total lymphoid irradiation, T cell or T cell receptor vaccination. * Prior treatment with alemtuzumab, mitoxantrone, or cyclophosphamide. * Serum creatinine \> 1.5 mg/dL; aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), or alkaline phosphatase \> 2 times the upper limit of normal. (Reported within 72 hours) * History of drug or alcohol abuse within the past year. * Untreated B12 deficiency (as determined by B12 serological assessments and metabolites including methylmalonic acid \[MMA\] and homocysteine) or untreated hypothyroidism. * Clinically significant cardiac, metabolic, hematologic, hepatic, immunologic, urologic, endocrinologic, neurologic, pulmonary, psychiatric, dermatologic, allergic, renal, or other major diseases that in the PI's judgment may affect the interpretation of study results or patient safety. * History of or presence of clinically significant medical illness or laboratory abnormality that, in the opinion of the investigator would preclude participation in the study * Inability to participate in MRI, including extreme claustrophobia. * Any dental braces or permanent or undetachable metals in the jaw or face.

Treatments Being Tested

DRUG

Clemastine Fumarate

8 mg Clemastine tablet. Clemastine fumarate was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergies) in 1977 and was approved for over-the-counter marketing in 1992. Clemastine is not FDA approved as a remyelinating therapy

DRUG

Placebo

Matched sugar tablet

Locations (1)

Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.

Sandler Neurosciences Building, Neurological Clinical Research Unit
San Francisco, California, United States

How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial

Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT05359653), the sponsor (University of California, San Francisco), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.

Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.

Authoritative Sources

The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCT05359653 clinical trial studying?

The clinical trial is intended to assess for clinical evidence of Clemastine Fumarate as a myelin repair therapy in patients with chronic inflammatory injury-causing demyelination as measured by multi-parametric MRI assessments. No reparative therapies exist for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Clemastine fumarate was identified along with a series of other antimuscarinic medications as a potential remyelinating agent using the micropillar screen (BIMA) developed at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Following in vivo validation, an FDA IND exemption was granted to invest… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.

Who can participate in NCT05359653?

Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.

How do I contact the trial site for NCT05359653?

Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.

Is participating in a clinical trial safe?

Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.

Where can I verify the data on this page?

Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.

How This Page Is Built

Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT05359653. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT05359653. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."

Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.