Dr. Syed Rizvi is a Professor of Neurology at Brown University and the Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center of Rhode Island as well as the Neurology Outpatient Center. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and has been an active investigator in numerous clinical trials. He is also the founding editor of Clinical Neuroimmunology: Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders (2010; 2020).
Dr. Rizvi earned his medical degree from Dow Medical College, Karachi, before completing his internship at Atlantic City Medical Center, New Jersey. He then pursued a dual residency in Internal Medicine and Neurology at Stony Brook University Hospital, New York, where he also served as Chief Resident in Internal Medicine. Following this, he completed a fellowship in Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis. Dr. Rizvi has been affiliated with Brown University since 2002
Sub-investigator PI (P. Coyle) Stony Brook 1996-2001
NIH #2R01 AI 31561-04AI
Chronic Fatigue in Lyme Disease
Sub-investigator PI (P. Coyle) Stony Brook 1998-2000
NIH $5,300,00
CNS invasion in early B. Burgdorferi infection
Co-investigator PI (P. Coyle) Stony Brook 1999-2001
NIH $115,000
Neurobehavioral Syndromes of Chronic Lyme Disease
Local Co-investigator PI (P. Coyle) Stony Brook 2000-2001
Serono $551,000
Randomized, comparative study of interferon beta-1a treatment regimens in MS: The EVIDENCE Trial
Co-investigator PI (L. Krupp) Stony Brook 2000-2002
NIH $485,000
Interventions to improve memory in MS
Sub-investigator PI (L. Krupp) Stony Brook 1999-2002
Biogen Idec, Inc. and Cephalon $115,000
Use of Avonex to determine Neurobehavioral Correlates of Fatigue
Local Sub-investigator PI (P. Coyle) Stony Brook 2000-2001
TEVA
Phase III placebo-controlled trial of Oral Glatiramer Acetate
Sub-investigator PI (P. Coyle) Stony Brook 2000-2002
TEVA
Promise trial: use of Glatiramer Acetate in Primary Progressive MS
Sub-investigator PI (P. Coye) Stony Brook 1997-2000
SCIREX $150,000
Phase II study of Hu23F2G in acute relapsing MS
Sub-investigator PI (L. Krupp) Stony Brook 1996-1998
Department of Defense $230,000
Evaluation of Desert Storm Syndrome
PI 2003-2004
Biogen $250,00
Avonex and Novantrone combination study
Study of the safety and efficacy of combination treatment with Avonex and Novantrone in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, project# 5573
Local PI 2004-2016
Genentech $295,000
Phase II/III, Randomized, Double blinded, Placebo controlled Multicenter Study to Evaluate Safety and efficacy of Rituximab in Adults with PPMS, project # 6267
Local PI 2004-2008
Berlex $324,687
BEYOND Study: International, randomized, multicenter, phase III study in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis comparing over a treatment period of 104 weeks
Local PI 2003-2006
Berlex $198,801
A Randomized, Rater-blinded, Multicenter, Parallel-group Study Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Betaseronâ 250mg Subcutaneously Every Other Day with Avonexâ 30mg Intramuscularly Once per Week in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients Previously Treated with Avonexâ
Protocol 307245B, project# 5556
Local PI 2003-2006
Biogen $105,000
Combination study in RRMS, A multi-center, randomized, blinded, parallel-group study of AvonexÒcompared with AvonexÒ in combination with oral methotrexate, intravenous methylprednisolone, or both in subjects with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis who have breakthrough disease on AvonexÒ monotherapy, project # 5736
Local PI 2005-2008
NIH $63,291
Interventions to Improve Memory in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Local PI 2005-2008
TEVA (ASSERT) $20,743/pt
A multi-center, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study assessing add-on effect of oral steroids in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis subjects treated with Glatiramer Acetate
Local PI 2006-2007
Biogen-Idec $1559/pt
Antibodies on Interferon Responsive Genes Highlights Biomarker Response (INSIGHT)
l PI 2006-2008
TEVA (FORTE)
Double dose Copaxone Study
Local PI 2007-2010
Bio-MS
A Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Multi-Center Study To Evaluate The Efficacy and Safety Of MBP8298 In Subjects With Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis” Project# 8455
Local PI 2007-2008
Biogen
Randomized, Multicenter, Double Blinded, Placebo Controlled, dose Comparison Study to Determine the Efficacy and Safety of BG00012 in Subjects with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.”
Local PI 2007-2008
UCB Pharma
Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Parallel-group Phase II study in subjects with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to evaluate the safety, tolerability and effects of two doses of CDP323 over 24 weeks with a rater-blindedMRI follow-up over 12 weeks. Project # 8277
Local PI 2007
Biogen
TYGRIS: Tysabri Global Observational Program in Safety
local PI 2008-2008
Serono
Cladribine in Early MS
Local PI 2008-2016
Genzyme
Phase III Alemtuzamab trial in RRMS” project# 8944
Local PI 2010-2011
Biogen
SURPASS: A Multicenter, Randomized, Rater-Blind, Parallel-Group, Active-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Benefits of Switching Therapy (Glatiramer Acetate or Interferon β‑1a) to Natalizumab in Subjects with Relapsing‑Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Local PI
Biogen 2010-2015
DECIDE: Multicenter, Double-blind, Randomized, Parallel-group, Monotherapy, Active-control Study to Determine the Efficacy and Safety of Daclizumab High Yield Process (DAC HYP) versus Avonex® (Interferon β‑1a) in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Local PI 2011
Acorda Therapeutics
Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Two Doses of Oral Dalfampridine Extended Release Tablets (5 mg and 10 mg twice daily) in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Local PI 2011-2015
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), through the Immune Tolerance Network (ITN)
A Phase II Randomized, Double Blind, Parallel Group, Placebo Controlled, Multi-center Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Abatacept in Adults with Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Local PI 2011-2013
ABScience
A 96 week, prospective, multicenter, randomized, double- blind, placebo-controlled, 2-parrallel groups, Phase 3 study to compare the efficacy and safety of masitinib 6mg/kg/day versus placebo in the treatment of patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis or relapse free secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
Local PI 2011-present
F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE Ltd
A Phase III, multicentre, randomized, parallel-group, double blinded, placebo controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ocrelizumab in adults with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.
Local PI 2013
Accorda Pharmaceuticals
Phase 1 study of Re-myelinating Monoclonal Antibody
PI
Brown University Bio-bank study 2014-2018
Brown University (Private donor)
Consultant
Effectiveness of Medicaid’s home and community Based Services for Persons with MS
PI Theresa Shireman, Brown Public Health 2015
P!
Cervical spinal cord lesions in MS and associated degenerative disc disease.
2015-2016
P!
Cannabis Use in MS Tertiary Care Center. 2015-16
PI
Outcomes of Multiple Sclerosis Patients 2015
P!
Impact of social media in the management of patients with MS 2016
CO-PI 2016
Using machine learning to forecast Multiple Sclerosis (MS) severity score given by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)
PI
Retro. Analysis of RMS Patients Treated with High Efficacy Agents. current
Krupp LB, Rizvi SA, “Symptomatic therapy for under-recognized manifestations of multiple sclerosis.” Neurology 2002;58: S32-S39.
Malik K, Rizvi S, Vaillancourt PD, “The SUNCT Syndrome: Successfully Treated with Lamotrigine.” Pain Med 2002, Jun;3(2):167-8.
Rizvi SA, Bashir K, Khurram, “Other therapy options and future strategies for treating patients with multiple sclerosis.” Neurology 2004;63: S47-54.
Cohen BA, Khan O, Jeffery DR, Bashir K, Rizvi SA, Fox EJ, Agius M, Bashir R, Collins TE, Herndon R, Kinkel P, Mikol DD, Picone MA, Rivera V, Tornatore C, Zwibel H, “Identifying and treating patients with suboptimal responses.” Neurology 2004;63: S33-40.
Rizvi SA, Zwibel H, Fox EJ, “Mitoxantrone for multiple sclerosis in clinical practice.” Neurology 2004;63: S25-27.
Rizvi SA, Agius MA, “Current approved options for treating patients with multiple sclerosis,” Neurology 2004;63: S8-14.
Mellion M, Rizvi SA, “Spontaneous bilateral carotid artery dissection and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.” Neurology, Dec 2005;65:1990.
Rizvi SA, Kim E, Moodie J, Glatiramer in the treatment of Multiple sclerosis. International Journal of Nanomedicine 2006: 1 (3)
RIZVI SA, “Multiple Sclerosis: Current and Future Treatment Options" Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders-Drug Targets” Volume 7, Issue 4, December, 2007
Rizvi S, Diamond A “Neurological complications of Lyme disease” Med Health R I. 2008 Jul; 91 (7): 216-8
Pachner AR, Warth JD, Pace A, Goelz S; INSIGHT investigators. Effect of neutralizing antibodies on biomarker responses to interferon beta: the INSIGHT study. Neurology. 2009 Nov 3;73(18):1493-500. (investigator)
Krupp LB, Christodoulou C, Melville P, Scherl WF, Pai LY, Muenz LR, He D, Benedict RH, Goodman A, Rizvi S, Schwid SR, Weinstock-Guttman B, Westervelt HJ, Wishart H. Multicenter randomized clinical trial of donepezil for memory impairment in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 2011 Apr 26;76(17):1500-7.
Rizvi S Monoclonal Antibodies: An introduction. Medicine Health Rhode Island 2011 November: 94(11): 316
Karl Miesel and Syed A. Rizvi. Complications of monoclonal antibody therapy. Medicine Health Rhode Island. 2011 November 94(11): 317
Valarie Gendron and Syed A. Rizvi Role of monoclonal antibodies in Neurological disorders. Medicine Health Rhode Island 2011 November: 94(11): 333
G. Cochrane, S. Rizvi, A. Abrantes, B. Crabtree, J. Cahill and J. Friedman. Association between fatigue and apathy in patients with either Parkinsons disease or Multiple sclerosis. Parkinsonism and related disorders. Published online July 13, 2015
Cochrane GD, Rizvi S, Abrantes A, Crabtree B, Cahill J, Friedman JH. Internal tremors in Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis and essential tremors. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2015 Oct;21(10):1145-7: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2015.07.014. Epub 2015 Jul 18
Wong B, Cahill J, Rizvi SA, “Moving towards a cure for MS: Increased Immunosuppression and striving for NEDA), RI MED J (2018) Mar 1;101(2);26-29
Rizvi, S Neurotherapeutics: Recent developments. RI Medical Journal. 2018 Mar 1;101(2):25
Dakay K, Sarangi S, Kaushal A, Rizvi S, Khurshid H, Tung G; Extratemporal FLAIR hyperintensities in anti-Hu paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis. A case report and review of the literature. Open journal of Clinical and Medical Case Reports Volume 4 (2018) Issue 21
Zhang, T, Jambhekar B, Kumar A, Rizvi S, Resnik L Shireman T "Assessing the effects of post-acute rehabilitation services on health care outcomes for people with multiple
sclerosis" Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders Volume 30 May 2019 277-283
Nichola H, Breton R, Ari P and Rizvi, S Optic neuritis, encephalitis and leptomeningeal enhancement in a patient with anti-MOG antibodies: a case study Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. Volume 34 September 2019, Pages 14-16olume 34, September 2019, Pages 14-16
Lupu G, Cahill J, Rizvi SA. Vascular malformation masquerading as demyelinating disease. Multiple Sclerosis and related Disorders. Volume 38 February 2020 (online Oct 1, 2019)
Dakay K, Sarangi S, Kaushal A, Rizvi S, Khurshid H, Tung G; Extratemporal FLAIR hyperintensities in anti-Hu paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis. A case report and review of the literature. Open journal of Clinical and Medical Case Reports Volume 4 (2018) Issue 21
Bayer AD, Cahill JF, Rizvi SA. Multiple Sclerosis relapse presenting as an acute cardiomyopathy. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. 2019 Jan; 27:7-8. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2018.09.021. Epub 2018 Sep 19
Baqir H, Cosmo C, Benevenuto D, Morar D, Rizvi SA, Batista LM. Ictal Catatonia in Autoimmune Encephalitis. R I Med J (2013). 2020 Apr 1;103(3):55-58. PMID: 32236165; PMCID: PMC8154181.
Nguyen T, McCauley M, Zheng T, Rizvi SA. Common Variable Immunodeficiency Presenting as Anti-GAD Cerebellar Ataxia. R I Med J (2013). 2020 Dec 1;103(10):38-39. PMID: 33261233.
Natalie Erlich-Malona, Jonathan Cahill, Saima Chaudhry, Janice Martin, Syed Rizvi Cardiac sarcoidosis requiring ICD placement and immune thrombocytopenia following alemtuzumab treatment for multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders 47 (2021)
Haubrick K, Gadbios E, Campbell S, Young J, Zhang T, Rizvi S, Shireman T, Shield R The Lived Experiences of Adults with Multiple Sclerosis. RIMJ (August 2021)
S. Rizvi, T Nguyen, S Chaudhry, K Stavros and N. Ehrlich “Small Fiber Neuropathy in Multiple Sclerosis”: Neuroimmunology Reports dec 2021
Abud AM, Rizvi S, Zainah H, O'Brien TC, Villamar MF. Aggressive MOGAD with bilateral corticospinal tract lesions following infection with Jamestown Canyon virus. J Neuroimmunol. 2022 Dec 15;373:577997.
Thayer EL, Rizvi SA, Tung GA. Varicella Zoster Associated Vasculopathy and Retinitis with Natalizumab Use in Multiple Sclerosis. R I Med J (2013). 2024 Jan 4;107(1):26-28. PMID: 38166073
Zurawski, J., Tauhid, S., Healy, B.C., Chu, R., Houtchens, M.K., Jalkh, Y., Khalil, S., Quattrucci, M., Mateen, F.J., Napoli, S., Rizvi, S., Singhal, T. and Bakshi, R. (2025), Cladribine Is Associated With Stable Cortical Gray Matter Lesion Burden in Multiple Sclerosis: A 7T MRI Study. J Neuroimaging., 35: e70032.
Albelo-Martínez M, Rizvi S. Progressive multiple sclerosis: Evaluating current therapies and exploring future treatment strategies. Neurotherapeutics. 2025 May 9
Callen AM, Glanz BI, Tauhid S, Healy BC, Jinich A, Khalil S, Houtchens MK, Mateen FJ, Napoli S, Rizvi S, Singhal T, Zurawski J, Bakshi R. The impact of cladribine tablets on cognition over one year in patients with multiple sclerosis. Journal of the Neurological Sciences (submitted)
| Year | Degree | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | MD | Dow Medical College |
| Executive Masters in Health Care Leadership EMHL | Brown University | - |
Dean's teaching award
2010, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019
Clinical Faculty Advisory Committee award
2021
Brown University
Rhode Island Hospital
Mariam Hospital
Newport Hospital
| MD | - | #10697 |
