Some people with a history of Lyme disease continue to have problems despite having received ``textbook duration'' antibiotic therapy. When memory, attention, or thinking problems persist, the syndrome is called persistent Lyme disease (PLD). This study seeks to answer critical scientific questions about the treatment and cause of PLD symptoms.
This 24-week treatment study will evaluate each patient's response to treatment using neuropsychological testing and state-of-the-art brain imaging. The brain tests include neuropsychological testing of memory and attention, brain imaging (MRI and PET scans) to look at blood flow in the brain and nerve cell structure and metabolism, a neurological exam, and studies of the fluid that surrounds the brain (cerebrospinal fluid). The treatment involves 10 weeks of either intravenous antibiotic called ceftriaxone (also known as Rocephin) or intravenous placebo (inactive substance). After the first visit to Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, the remaining treatments will be done in the patient's home. Patients will be screened over the phone and in person to confirm study eligibility.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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Is this an excerpt or what you are signed up to do?
Is there a link from which you got the study details? I'm surprised they would be recruiting since study details came back for a similar one and it was not a winner.
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According to recent ILADS research, this treatment is not long enough nor complex enough. Ten weeks of IV is simply not enough.
This does not sound like 24 weeks of treatment, but 10 weeks treatment and then follow-up testing. It's been done. It was found to not be enough.
Add to that the fact that a combination of drugs is required for the different forms and stages of lyme. Flagyl is most commonly employed for the cystic form.
Co-infections must be assessed and, if present, treated with different drugs.
I'd like to know more about why you posted this. Are you to begin such a program?
If so, you could get the placebo. That would really be a shame and a waste of precious time if you have been dx with lyme. It would actually be inhumane, in my book, in such a case.
The tests used for follow-up cannot determine if lyme has been eradicated. A PET may show positive changes, but it cannot show if lyme is still there as in if the treatment was enough.
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Posted by JKM03 (Member # 17788) on :
That summary sounds a lot like Dr. Fallon's study which was completed already...
Posted by NeuroEcclectic (Member # 17783) on :
I was just asking if anyone knew anything about this sort of stuff. I am not qualified to administer or organize studies.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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Where did you find the excerpt?
It should have the outcome with it. It may be an earlier version before the study actually took place.