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Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center

Comprehensive program for the evaluation and treatment of multiple sclerosis and related conditions
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Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center

The Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center offers a comprehensive program for the evaluation and treatment of multiple sclerosis and related conditions. The Center is operated by Joseph B. Guarnaccia MD, in partnership with Griffin Hospital, which is known nationally and internationally for its patient-centered health care under the Planetree Model of Care.

Schedule an Appointment

Call the multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center at (203) 732-1290.

About Dr. Guarnaccia

  • Current Positions

    2000 to Present: Director, Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center, 130 Division St., Derby, CT 06418
    2001 to Present: Director, MS Center of Care New England, East Greenwich, RI

  • Education

    M.D. University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma August 1983 to June 1987

    B.A. University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Major: political science & geology September 1973 to June 1977

  • Postgraduate Training

    August 1993 Fellow in electrophysiology, Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine
    July 1992 to July 1993 Chief Resident, Neurology, Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine
    July 1990 to June 1992 Resident, Neurology Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine
    July 1987 to June 1990 Resident in Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, OU Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73190

  • Clinical Appointments

    January, 2001 to present, Medical Director, Multiple Sclerosis Center of Care, New England, East Greenwich, RI
    July 2000 to present Director, Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center Griffin Hospital, Derby, CT (August 1993 to June 2000 Director of Multiple Sclerosis Clinic)
    Co-director, Yale Multiple Sclerosis Program Department of Neurology, Yale University
    Director, Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, VA Connecticut, West Haven Campus West Haven, CT
    Attending Physician Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT Attending Physician, VA Connecticut, West Haven Campus West Haven, CT
    July 2000 to present Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Neurology,Yale University
    July 1994 to June 2000 Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology Yale University
    August 1993 to June 1994 Associate Research Scientist, Department of Neurology Yale University
    August 1993 Clinical Instructor, Department of Neurology Yale University, Certification Boards and Licensure

  • Licensure

    2000 to present, Rhode Island Medical License MD10454
    2015 to 2025, Recertified, Diplomat, American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry
    2005 to 2015, Recertified, Diplomat, American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry
    1995 to 2015 Diplomat, American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry
    December 1990 Diplomat, Internal Medicine
    1990 to present Connecticut Medical License #031179

  • Research publications

    Rando K, Hong KI, Bhagwagar Z, Li CS, Bergquist K, Guarnaccia J, Sinha R.Association of frontal and posterior cortical gray matter volume with time to alcohol relapse: a prospective study. Am J Psychiatry. 2011 Feb;168(2):183-92.

    Radue EW, Stuart WH, Calabresi PA, Confavreux C, Galetta SL, Rudick RA, Lublin FD, Weinstock-Guttman B, Wynn DR, Fisher E, Papadopoulou A, Lynn F, Panzara MA, Sandrock AW; SENTINEL Investigators. Natalizumab plus interferon beta-1a reduces lesion formation in relapsing multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Sci. 2010 May 15;292(1-2):28-35.

    Treadaway K, Cutter G, Salter A, Lynch S, Simsarian J, Corboy J, Jeffery D, Cohen B, Mankowski K, Guarnaccia J, Schaeffer L, Kanter R, Brandes D, Kaufman C, Duncan D, Marder E, Allen A, Harney J, Cooper J, Woo D, Stüve O, Racke M, Frohman EM Factors that influence adherence with disease-modifying therapy in MS. J Neurol. 2009 Apr;256(4):568-76.

    Cohen JA, Imrey PB, Calabresi PA, Edwards KR, Eickenhorst T, Felton WL 3rd, Fisher E, Fox RJ, Goodman AD, Hara-Cleaver C, Hutton GJ, Mandell BF, Scott TF, Zhang H, Apperson-Hansen C, Beck GJ, Houghtaling PL, Karafa MT, Stadtler M; ACT Investigators. Results of the Avonex Combination Trial (ACT) in relapsing-remitting MS. Neurology. 2009 Feb 10;72(6):535-41

    Murinson BB, Guarnaccia JB. Stiff-person syndrome with amphiphysin antibodies:distinctive features of a rare disease. Neurology. 2008 Dec 9;71(24):1955-8.

    Mikol DD, Barkhof F, Chang P, Coyle PK, Jeffery DR, Schwid SR, Stubinski B, Uitdehaag BM; REGARD study group. Comparison of subcutaneous interferon beta-1a with glatiramer acetate in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (the Rebif vrs Glatiramer Acetate in Relapsing MS Disease [REGARD] study): a multicentre, randomized, parallel, open-label trial. Lancet Neurol. 2008 Oct;7(10):90314

    Kinkel RP, Kollman C, O’Connor P, Murray TJ, Simon J, Arnold D, Bakshi R, Weinstock-Gutman B, Brod S, Cooper J, Duquette P, Eggenberger E, Felton W,Fox R, Freedman M, Galetta S, Goodman A, Guarnaccia J, Hashimoto S, Horowitz S, Javerbaum J, Kasper L, Kaufman M, Kerson L, Mass M, Rammohan K, Reiss M, Rolak L, Rose J, Scott T, Selhorst J, Shin R, Smith C, Stuart W, Thurston S, Wall M; CHAMPIONS Study Group. IM interferon beta-1a delays definite multiple sclerosis 5 years after a first demyelinating event. Neurology.2006 Mar 14;66(5):678-84.

    Guarnaccia JB, O’Connor T, Aslan M, Hope MA, Kasis L, Kashner CM, Booss J. Comparing health self-assessments of veterans with multiple sclerosis with standard disability measures. Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development: Jan/Feb 2006; vol. 43,1:35-44.

    Champs Study Group. MRI predictors of early conversion to clinically definite MS in the CHAMPS placebo group. Neurology 2002; 59:998-1005

    Champs Study Group. Baseline MRI characteristics of patients at high risk for multiple sclerosis: results from the CHAMPS trial. Multiple Sclerosis 2002;8:330-338.

    Beck RW, Chandler DL, Cole SR, Simon JH, Jacobs LD, Kinkel P, Selhorst JB, Rose JW, Cooper JA, Rice G, Murray TJ, and Sandrock AW, CHAMPS Study Group.Interferon B-1a for early multiple sclerosis: CHAMPS trial subgroup analyses. Ann Neurol. 2002;51:481-490.

    Champs Study Group. Interferon B-1a for optic neuritis patients at high risk for multiple sclerosis. Am. J. of Opthalmology. 2001;132:463-471.

    Wolinsky JS, Narayana PA, Johnson KP and the Copolymer 1 Multiple Sclerosis Study Group and the MRI Analysis Center. United States open-label glatiramer acetate extension trial for relapsing multiple sclerosis: MRI and clinical correlates. Multiple Sclerosis (2001) 7, 33-41.

    Beck RW, Chandler DL, Cole SR, Simon JH, Jacobs LD, Kinkel P, Selhorst JB, Rose JW, Cooper JA, Rice G, Murray TJ, and Sandrock AW, CHAMPS Study Group.Interferon B-1a for early multiple sclerosis: CHAMPS trial subgroup analyses. Ann Neurol. 2002;51:481-490.

    Champs Study Group. Interferon B-1a for optic neuritis patients, Johnson KP, Brooks BR, Ford CC, Goodman A, Guarnaccia J, Lisak RP, Myers LW, Panitch HS, Pruitt A, Rose JW, Kachuck N, Wolinsky JS and the Copolymer 1 Multiple Sclerosis Study Group. Sustained clinical benefits of glatiramer acetatein relapsing multiple sclerosis patients observed for 6 years. Multiple Sclerosis (2000) 6, 255-266.

    Jacobs LD, Beck RW, Simon JH, Kinkel RP, Brownsheidle CM, Murray TJ, Simonian NA, Slasor PJ, Sandrock AW, and CHAMPS Study Group. Intramuscular Interferon Beta-1a therapy initiated during a first demyelinating event in multiple sclerosis. NEJM 2000;343:898-904.

    Rice GP, Filippi M, Comi G. Cladribine and progressive MS: clinical and MRI outcomes of a mult-center controlled trial. Cladribine MRI Study Group. Neurology 2000; 54(5):1145-55. Mar. 14.

    Johnson KP, Brooks BR, Cohen JA, Ford CC, Goldstein J, Lisak RP, Myers LW, PanitchHS, rose JW, Schiffer RB, Vollmer T, Winer LP, Wolinsky JS, and the Copolymer 1 Multiple Sclerosis Study Group. Extended use of glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) is well tolerated and maintains its clinical effect on multiple sclerosis relapse rate and degree of disability. Neurology 1998;50:701-708.

    Cook SD, Devereux C, Troiano R, Wolansky L, Guarnaccia J, Haffty B, Bansil S, Goldstein J, Sheffet A, Zito G, Jotkowitz A, Boos J, Dowling P, Rohowsky-Kochan C, Vollmer T. Modified total lymphoid irradiation and low dose corticosteroids in progressive MS. J. Neurol Sci 1997; 152: 172-181.

    Solimena M, Dirkx, R, Butler M, Hermel J-M, Guarnaccia JB, Marek K, David C., DeCamilli P. Stiff-man syndrome and glutamic acid decarboxylase: an updated view. GABA Symposium ’95. Satellite Meeting of the 15th Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry. Kyoto, Japan. July, 1995.Vollmer T, Guarnaccia J, Harrington Wm, Pacia S, Petroff O. Idiopathic granulomatous angitis of the central nervous system: diagnostic challenges. Arch Neurol 1993; 50:925-930.

    Holloway S, Fayad P, Kalb R, Guarnaccia J, Waxman S. Painless aortic dissection: acase study. J. Neurol Sci 1993; 120:141-144.

    Slater L, Makintubee S, Istre G, Guarnaccia J. Bactermic disease in adults due to Haemophilus influenzae capsular type f: a report of 5 cases and a survey of the literature. Reviews of Infectious Diseases 1990; July-August.

    Interferon beta-1b neutralizing antibodies in MS patients block JAK-STAT signaling pathways. Xie B, Rinder HM, Qin H, Fu XY, Guarnaccia JB. Submitted January 2000.

    Rice GPA, for the Cladribine Clinical Study Group, and Filippi M and Comi G for the Cladribine MRI Study Group. Cladribine and progressive MS. Clinical and MRI outcomes of a multicenter controlled trial. Neurology 2000;54:1145-1155.

    Cook SD, Devereux C, Troiano R, Wolansky L, Guarnaccia JB, Haffty B, Bansil S, Goldstein J, Sheffet A, Zito G, Jotkowitz A, Boos J, Dowling P, Rohowsky-Kochan C, Vollmer T. Modified total lymphoid irradiation and low dose corticosteroids in progressive MS. J. Neurol Sci 1997; 152: 172-181.

    Solimena M, Dirkx, R, Butler M, Hermel J-M, Guarnaccia JB, Marek K, David C., DeCamilli P. Stiff-man syndrome and glutamic acid decarboxylase: an updated view. GABA Symposium ’95. Satellite Meeting of the 15th Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry. Kyoto, Japan. July, 1995.

    Vollmer T, Guarnaccia J, Harrington Wm, Pacia S, Petroff O. Idiopathic granulomatous angitis of the central nervous system: diagnostic challenges. Arch Neurol 1993; 50:925-930.

    Holloway S, Fayad P, Kalb R, Guarnaccia J, Waxman S. Painless aortic dissection: a case study. J. Neurol Sci 1993; 120:141-144.

    Slater L, Makintubee S, Istre G, Guarnaccia J. Bactermic disease in adults due to Haemophilus influenzae capsular type f: a report of 5 cases and a survey of the literature. Reviews of Infectious Diseases 1990; July-August.

  • Book chapters

    Multiple Sclerosis – Overview by Joseph Guarnaccia, MD & John Booss, MD. In Handbook of Multiple Sclerosis. Edited by Nancy Holland. Raven Press. 1998.

    Multiple Sclerosis by Joseph Guarnaccia, MD, Timothy Vollmer, MD, Stephen G.Waxman, MD. In Pharmacological Management of Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders. Edited by S.J. Enna & J.T. Coyle. McGraw-Hill. 1998

  • Research Presentations

    Guarnaccia J. Daptomycin Treatment in Progressive and Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis.Poster presentation at ACTRIMS meeting. July, 2010. San Antonio. TX

    Guarnaccia J, Kazis L, Kashner TM, Collins D, O’Connor T, Hope MA, Brennan J, Booss J. Costs, Quality of Life and Functional Outcomes of Veterans with Multiple Sclerosis Treated with Interferon Beta. Platform presentation at the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers Annual Meeting. Calgary, Alberta. September 5-7, 1997.

    Guarnaccia J, MD, Marek K, MD, Solimena M, MD, DeCamilli P, MD. Clinical and Biochemical Features of Stiffman Syndrome. Platform presentation at the Movement Disorders Symposium of the American Neurological Association annual meeting. Boston, MA, October, 1993.

    Guarnaccia J, MD, Whang R, MD, Sinha R, PhD. Ethical Decision-making: Differences in Values Among Internists. Poster presented at the Oklahoma Chapter of the American College of Physicians, Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma, October, 1989.

    Guarnaccia J, MD, Whang R, MD, Sinha R, PhD. Ethical Decision-making: Differences in Values Among Internists. Poster presentation at the Oklahoma Association of House Staff Physicians, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, May, 1989. Second prize awarded.

    Guarnaccia, J, MD, Makintubee S, MS, Istre G, MD, Slater L, MD. Adolescent and adult cases of Haemophilus influenzae disease in Oklahoma, 1985-1986. Paper presented at the joint meeting of the Oklahoma Society of Internal Medicine and Oklahoma Chapter of the American College of Physicians, Shangri La, Oklahoma, October, 1987.

    Guarnaccia J, MD, Makintubee S, MS, Istre G, MD, Slater L, MD. Adolescent and adult cases Haemophilus influenzae disease in Oklahoma, 1985-1986. Paper presented at the Central Society for Clinical Research, regional meeting of the American College of Physicians. Chicago, Illinois, November, 1986.

  • Awards and memberships

    2015, October Induction, National MS Society Hall of Fame, Ft. Worth, TX

    1998, July Multiple Sclerosis Representative on a VA Neurology Task Force on Clinical Research Trials.

    1998 to present VA Spinal Cord Registry Product Improvement Member. An advisory group that meets monthly to revise and improve the spinal cord registry.

    1998 Voted Best Doctors in Connecticut, Connecticut Magazine Survey

    1996 Voted Best Doctors in Connecticut, Connecticut Magazine Survey

    1995 to present Member Expert Panel on the VA Spinal Cord Registry: sponsored jointly by PVA and HSRD. VAMC, Durham, NC

    1993 to present Professional Advisory Committee, Greater Connecticut Chapter and Western Connecticut Chapter National Multiple Sclerosis Society

    Presbyterian Harris Health Foundation Student Research Scholarship Award

  • Research

    February, 2002 Principal Investigator, Randomized, parallel group, open label study comparing the tolerability of Rebif injection with or without the use of the Rebiject™ mini autoinjector. Sponsored by Serono, Inc.

    January, 2002 Principal Investigator, Double blinded, placebo controlled study of Natalizumab added to Avonex in subjects with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.Phase III study sponsored by Biogen, Inc.

    November 2000 Principal Investigator. Controlled High Risk AVONEX® (Interferon Beta-1a) Multiple Sclerosis Prevention Study in On-going Neurological Surveillance. Phase IV study sponsored by Biogen, Inc.

    1998 to 1999 Principal Investigator. Treatment of patients with relapsing remitting MS with 3 doses of CGP77116 vrs. Placebo. Phase II study enrolling 10 or more patients. Sponsored by Novartis.

    1998 to 1999 Principal Investigator. Phase III study of Interferon 1a in the Treatment of Patients with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Two year study. Sponsored by Biogen.

    1997 to 1998 Principal Investigator. A Tolerability Study of AVONEX (Interferon beta-1a) in the Treatment of Subjects with Relapsing and Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Phase II clinical study with 12 patients enrolled. One year duration.

    1996 to present Principal Investigator. HSR&D Project SDR#91-001 “Costs and Quality of Life and Functional Outcomes in Veterans Treated for Multiple Sclerosis with Beta Interferon 1-B (Betaseron).” Three year grant of $42,000 awarded August,1996.

    1996 to June, 2000 Co-principal Investigator. Nancy Davis Center Without Walls. Research consortium of five academic MS Centers (UCSF, UCLA, U. of Portland, CNND, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Yale MS Center) funded by the Nancy Davis Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, to conduct collaborative research in multiple sclerosis.

    1996 to 2000 Principal Investigator. Use of Interferon Beta-1a (AVONEX) to Treat Patients with an Initial Demyelinating Event and an MRI which shows High Risk of Development of Clinically Definite MS. Three-year, multi-center clinical study.

    1995 to present Principal Investigator. Use of Cladribine to treat Patients with Chronic Progressive or Relapsing Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Seven-year, multicenter clinical study involving thirty patients at Yale.

    1993 to 1995 Principal Investigator. Total Lymphoid Irradiation in the Treatment of Chronic Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Twenty-four patients with multiple sclerosis enrolled in a three-year clinical trial. 1993 to 1994 Principal Investigator. Immunological Studies in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Collaboration with Immunologic Pharmaceutical Corp., Palo Alto, CA.

    1993 to June, 2000 Principal Investigator. Cop-1 in the treatment of Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. Open label clinical study.

    1993 to 1994 Co-investigator. Plasma Exchange Versus Sandoglobulin Guillain-Barre Syndrome Trial. Two-year, international multi-center trial.

 

The Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center

350 Seymour Ave., # 1c
Derby, CT 06418
Joseph B. Guarnaccia, M.D., Director
(203) 732-1290 Fax: (203) 732-1299
email: mstreatmentcenters@griffinhealth.org
The MS Treatment Center is a private practice located within The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital.

 

Support

HUGS (Help Unlimited Griffin Support)

HUGS (Help Unlimited Griffin Support) is a cancer and chronic disease management support group open to patients, and/or family and friends who are struggling with care management, survivorship, and related issues.

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group

A facilitated support group for those with MS.

Living Well with Health Conditions

The Living Well with Health Conditions Self-Management Workshop provides health information and strategies to help those with chronic conditions like diabetes, depression, heart disease, arthritis, and pain and anxiety increase their energy and take control of their health.