Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis and Its Relationship to Inflammatory and Neurodegenerative Markers of the Disease

Launched by UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, MARTIN · Jun 9, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The MITOFATIGUE study in Slovakia is an observational study about fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Researchers will look at several blood and genetic markers, plus tests of mitochondrial (cell energy) function, to see how these relate to disease activity and how fatigued a person feels. The main goal is to measure fatigue and see how it lines up with markers like neurofilament light chain (NfL), GFAP, and mitochondrial activity, along with standard MS checks (EDSS score and MRI). This “multimodal” approach aims to help predict how MS may progress and to improve how doctors manage treatment.

Eligible participants are adults 18 and older who have been newly diagnosed with MS and are about to start immune‑system–related treatment. The study plans to enroll about 100 people and will include two groups: (1) people tested before starting treatment and again about 12 months later, and (2) all newly diagnosed patients who meet the standard diagnostic criteria invited to participate, with yearly follow‑ups after treatment starts. Healthy volunteers are invited as controls for comparison. Exclusions include other significant health problems. Participants can expect up to 5 years of follow‑up with visits every six months, yearly MRIs, and yearly tests of fatigue, blood biomarkers, mitochondrial function, and genetic markers, all to better understand MS and guide future care. The study is ongoing and overseen by a data monitoring committee, with results anticipated through 2028.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Clinical diagnosis of multiple sclerosis using McDonald2017 criteria Patients indicated to immunomodulatory treatment
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Multimorbidities