Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 22, 2026
A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
The vitamin D to ameliorate multiple sclerosis (VIDAMS) trial: study design for a multicenter, randomized,
Pavan Bhargava1, Sandra Cassard1, Sonya U Steele1
1Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Background:
Lower levels of vitamin D are associated with increased MS risk and with greater clinical and brain MRI activity in established relapsing MS.
Objective:
The VIDAMS trial (NCT01490502) is evaluating whether high-dose vitamin D supplementation reduces the risk of MS activity.
Design/Methods:
Eligibility criteria include diagnosis of RRMS, age 18 to 50 years, and Expanded Disability Status Scale ≤4.0. Disease duration and activity requirements depend on whether 2005 or 2010 criteria are used for diagnosis. Enrollment is restricted based on prior MS therapy exposure and recent vitamin D use. After completing a one-month run-in of glatiramer acetate, 172 patients will be randomized 1:1 to oral vitamin D(3) 5000 IU versus 600 IU daily. Clinical visits occur every 12 weeks for 96 weeks.
Results:
Sixteen sites throughout the United States are participating in the trial. Complete enrollment is expected by late 2014, with follow-up through 2016. No interim analyses are planned. The primary outcome for the trial is the proportion of patients experiencing a relapse in each group. Other clinical, patient-reported, and MRI outcomes will be evaluated.
Conclusions:
The VIDAMS trial will provide critical information about the safety and efficacy of vitamin D therapy in RRMS, with implications for MS patients worldwide.
