View clinical trials related to Motor Neuron Disease.
Filter by:The Earswitch is a demonstrated proof-of-concept that detects the voluntary contraction of a small muscle in the ear, called the tensor tympani (TT) muscle, which can be effectively used as an input switch. The voluntary activation of the TT makes the eardrum move, and such movement can be detected using a small camera inserted into the ear canal. A previously funded NIHR 'i4i Connect' research project showed how the Earswitch may be advantageous to populations with severe neuro-disabilities, where other communication methods are limited. This project aims to realise the EarSwitch's potential as an assistive communication device and provide supporting evidence towards regulatory approval of the medical device. The robustness and usability of the device will be tested on participants with mild-to-moderate neuro-disabilities and healthy participants. This complements data collected from assistive technology users following the same protocol but will provide additional data to train and understand the underlying detection algorithms for the Earswitch. The ease of which an assistive technology device can be installed and calibrated independently (without guidance from the researcher) so that it is ready to use is also an important consideration for its potential adoption. Participants will have the opportunity to interactively use the Earswitch daily at home, over a prolonged period of 4 weeks. Interviews and questionnaires will be used to gather information on usability and comfort of the device, whilst data from the interactive tasks will provide feedback of engagement and performance. Overall, this will provide crucial insights into how viable the Earswitch is as an assistive technology device and how accurately and reliably the current detection algorithm can detect contraction of the TT muscle. This data will be analysed to inform the final design of the Earswitch ready for commercial production.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oral doses of FB418 in healthy adult subjects and healthy elderly subjects.
This study takes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients as the main research object. Through collecting genetics, imaging and clinical symptoms for Exploratory research, we will construct the gene spectrum of ALS in China, explore unknown pathogenic genes, explore the characteristic image characteristics of ALS, and establish the iPSCs library of ALS, providing resources and basis for the research of pathogenesis and treatment targets of ALS.
This clinical trial is a phase 1 study in which investigations with the weakly radioactive substance [18F]-RoSMA-18-d6 are being carried out for the first time. This radiolabeled substance will be used to study a specific protein in the brain and spinal cord of patients with ALS and healthy individuals. This particular protein, the cannabinoid type 2 receptor, is thought to play a role in the disease process of ALS. Furthermore, it is assumed that this protein is found more frequently in the brain and spinal cord of patients with ALS compared to healthy individuals. The following questions will be answered by this clinical trial. 1. Is this protein found, as suspected, increased in the brain and spinal cord of ALS patients compared to healthy individuals ? 2. Does the amount of this protein change during the course of the disease? 3. Are there any correlations between the observed changes in the amount of protein and the assessment of the course of the disease?
Preclinical and clinical data strongly suggest that administration of salbutamol in ALS patients may improve walking capacity related to motor fatigue by enhancing neuromuscular transmission. Salbutamol may exert a neuroprotective effect and slow down the progression of clinical signs and symptoms. The main objective of the study is to test the efficacy of salbutamol on walking capacity in ALS patients and the secondary objective is to measure the target engagement of salbutamol on the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) at EMG (decrement of repetitive nerve stimulation in three nerves/muscle couples), as well as safety and tolerability. The exploratory objectives are to study the effect of salbutamol on fatigue scales, muscle strength, respiratory function, motor unit count, muscle and spinal MRI parameters and blood biomarkers
The goal of this study is to test the Earswitch device in both participants with and without assistive technology (AT) needs. The main aim is to determine how robust the Earswitch is in detecting voluntary eardrum movements (known as ear rumbling) and see how well the Earswitch fits with other assistive technology. To do this, participants will be asked to wear the Earswitch device and voluntarily contract their TT to complete a series of tasks shown on screen and/or explained audibly. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires to understand their opinions about the effectiveness, usability, and comfort of both their current device (if applicable) and the Earswitch. This feedback will be invaluable in developing the Earswitch.
Satisfaction of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis under non-invasive ventilation regarding home assisted teleconsultation
VA research has been advancing a high-performance brain-computer interface (BCI) to improve independence for Veterans and others living with tetraplegia or the inability to speak resulting from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal cord injury or stoke. In this project, the investigators enhance deep learning neural network decoders and multi-state gesture decoding for increased accuracy and reliability and deploy them on a battery-powered mobile BCI device for independent use of computers and touch-enabled mobile devices at home. The accuracy and usability of the mobile iBCI will be evaluated with participants already enrolled separately in the investigational clinical trial of the BrainGate neural interface.
Clinical trial participation has always been substantially skewed toward certain demographic groups. However, there has been little study on whether trial qualities impact participation in either a positive or negative way. The goal of this research is to identify the characteristics that consistently restrict patients' ability to participate in or complete a trial in which they were initially interested. This data will be analyzed via a number of demographic lenses in order to find trends that could benefit future ALS sufferers.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that results in progressive paralysis of the muscles involved in voluntary motor skills, speech, swallowing and breathing. It also causes non-motor symptoms including psychological, cognitive and behavioral difficulties that have a negative impact on patients' quality of life, well-being and long-term development. There is no curative therapy for ALS and drug treatments have little effect on non-motor symptoms. Interventions based on mindfulness meditation, defined as a state of consciousness that arises when one decides to focus attention in the present moment without judgment on the real experience, seem to be a promising tool for the reduction of non-motor symptoms in a number of progressive neurological conditions (Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, etc.), suggesting that mindfulness significantly helps in the management of these symptoms. Our project therefore aims to implement a mindfulness meditation program adapted to the management of non-motor symptoms in ALS based on virtual reality (VR).