View clinical trials related to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Filter by:The purpose of the project is to obtain skin and adipose tissue samples from patients with ALS to develop new diagnostic and prognostic markers of the disease. These samples will be obtained when percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is performed as part of their standard of care. Skin and adipose tissue samples will also be obtained from disease control subjects who require a PEG as part of their standard of care.
This is a pilot study to identify the degree of grey and white matter involvement in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) utilizing non-invasive techniques. The imaging to be utilized will be the 7 Tesla (7T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. These results will be correlated to the ALS Functional Rating Scale - Revised (ALSFRS-R) score to assess if any changes in MRI can be predictive in the disability of the ALS patients at baseline and at 6 month intervals. The participants will be asked to return every 6 months for a neurological examination, ALSFRS-R assessment, measurement of the vital capacity and MRI as outlined above to monitor progression of the disease.
The study is being conducted to determine if DPS treatment for people with ALS and hypoventilation is associated with improved survival or diaphragm function. The primary objective of the study is to conduct a multi-center, randomized controlled clinical trial comparing standard of care (control) to diaphragm stimulator treatment with the NeuRx® Diaphragm Pacing System™ (DPS) with respect to survival. The secondary objective of the study is to conduct a multi-center, randomized controlled clinical trial to compare standard of care treatment (control) to DPS in ALS subjects with hypoventilation.
This study will examine whether fasudil is effective and safe in treating patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Autologous cell therapy in patients with ALS can stimulate neuroplasticity, modifying the neurodegenerative process and stops the clinical progression of disease.
Background: - Some people have a mutation in the C9ORF72 gene that causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The mutation causes a small piece of DNA to repeat itself thousands of times. The C9ORF gene mutation mostly occurs in families. In those families, some persons have ALS and others have FTD. Occasionally the C9ORF gene mutation occurs in persons without a family history. Researchers want to understand how this gene causes different diseases. They will study how symptoms caused by the C9ORF gene develop and change over time. They will measure symptoms that occur in ALS and in FTD. In particular, they will measure strength, ability to move, thinking, and memory. They will also see if other tests are associated with progression of disease. These tests, called biomarkers, may help detect or measure C9ORF72 disease in the future. Objectives: - To understand how symptoms change over time in people with mutations in a gene called C9ORF72, which causes ALS and FTD. Eligibility: - Adults over age 18 who have this genetic mutation Design: - Participants will have up to 4 in-person visits and 3 telephone interviews over 3 years. Each in-person visit may take place over several days. They may be either inpatient or outpatient visits. - At each visit, participants will undergo a series of brain, language, and behavior tests. These will include: - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. This uses magnets, radio waves, and computers to produce detailed pictures of the brain. - Collecting spinal fluid. The clinician will make the participant s back numb and then insert a needle to collect fluid. <TAB>- Blood samples will be taken. <TAB>- Participants will be asked to perform several language and movement tests. <TAB>- Small skin samples will be taken on one visit - Between visits, participants will answer questions about their health over the phone 3 times.
A new strength measurement device called Accurate Test of Limb Isometric Strength (ATLIS) was developed to precisely and conveniently measure static limb strength in patients with ALS. The investigators will compare ATLIS data with data from two commonly used ALS outcomes measures, the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) and slow vital capacity (SVC) in a prospective, longitudinal study. All three outcomes measures will be performed on 100 subjects collected preferably at bi-monthly clinic visits during the study period.
This 8-week randomized, open-label evaluation will examine the acute safety and tolerability of 4 different dosing regimens of Acthar to inform dose selection for future studies of Acthar in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The study will also investigate the mean rate of change in the ALSFRS-R total score as an exploratory endpoint to help design future studies. This study will enroll up to 40 patients and include an optional 28-week open-label extension period plus a 3-week treatment taper and 1-week follow up period. After completion of Week 8, patients enrolled in a treatment group that is considered safe and tolerable at that time have the option to continue into the open-label extension period. A 3-week treatment taper and a follow-up visit are planned for all patients enrolled in the study, beginning either at Week 8 or at Week 36 if a patient continues into the optional open-label extension period.
Background: - Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is a new technique being studied to see if it is helpful in evaluating muscle disorders and nerve disorders. EIM looks at how a mild, painless electrical current travels through muscles. Researchers want to gain experience in using the EIM device. They will collect information on the results of using it on people with and without nerve and muscle diseases, and compare that with information from other standard tests. First, they will test the device on healthy people. Then they will test people with a variety of neuromuscular diseases. Because the test is noninvasive and not painful, researchers will test both children and adults. Objectives: - To gain experience using the EIM muscle testing device. Eligibility: - Healthy volunteers at least 2 years old. - Individuals at least 2 years old who have neuromuscular disease. Design: - Participants will be screened with a medical history and physical exam. - Participants will have one 2-3 hour clinic visit. Researchers may request follow-up visits. - Participants will be tested with the EIM device. The device and small electrodes will be placed on their skin. An electric current will pass through the device, but the participants will not feel this. - Participants may have an ultrasound test. A gel will be put on their skin, and a device will be moved over the skin. - Participants may have a nerve test. Electrodes will be placed on their skin, and they will feel a small shock. - Participants may have a test where a thin needle is inserted in their muscle.
ALS is a severe progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by degeneration motor neurons leading to death in 3 to 5 years. Gradually in time, the patient deprived of all motor skills as well as the possibility of communication written and oral developing a state close Locked In Syndrome (LIS). The main objective is to establish the feasibility of brain-computer interface using the pathological condition, with dependent disabled subjects as a means of communication.