View clinical trials related to Motor Neuron Disease.
Filter by:This is a global multicenter study designed to evaluate the safety and clinical effects of 4 oral doses of TCH346 (1.0, 2.5, 7.5, and 15 mg) compared to placebo in patients with mild or mild to moderate stages of ALS. The study consists of 3 phases: screening (up to 2 weeks), run-in (16 weeks), and a double-blind treatment phase of variable duration (at least 24 weeks).
This study will examine whether the motor cortex (the part of the brain that controls movement) works properly in patients with primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), a disorder in which voluntary movements are very slow. Healthy volunteers between 40 and 75 years of age and patients with ascending PLS (a subset of PLS) may be eligible for this study. Patients with ascending PLS have a slowing of finger-tapping movements that corresponds to a particular abnormality of certain neuronal (nerve cell) activity. Participants perform a finger-tapping reaction time exercise while brain wave activity (electroencephalography, or EEG) and muscle activity (electroymogram, or EMG) are measured. The subject is seated in front of a computer screen. A signal appears on the screen and the subject taps a key as quickly as possible in response to the signal. For the EEG, brain activity is recorded by placing electrodes (small metal discs) on the scalp with an electrode cap or glue-like substance. A conductive gel is used to fill the space between the electrodes and the scalp to make sure there is good contact between them. The brain waves are recorded while the subject taps his or her fingers very slowly. For the surface EMG, electrodes filled with a conductive gel are taped to the skin. Participants also undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to obtain images of the brain. During the procedure, the subject lies still on a table that can slide in and out of the scanner - a narrow metal cylinder. Scanning time varies from 20 minutes to 3 hours, with most scans lasting between 45 and 90 minutes. Subjects can communicate with the MRI staff at all times during the scan and can ask to be moved out of the machine at any time.
Creatine is a naturally occurring chemical involved in the production of energy in muscle. Abnormalities in creatine have been linked to the progression of degenerative neuromuscular diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease). This study will test whether taking creatine can improve the symptoms of ALS.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether nine months of administration of creatine monohydrate results in an increase in muscle strength in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The purpose of this trial is to test the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of minocycline compared to placebo in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
This study is the first to be performed in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients with the novel compound TCH346. Its purpose is to evaluate the safety and clinical effects of 3 dose levels of TCH 346 compared to placebo in patients with a clinical diagnosis of laboratory-supported probable, probable or definite ALS. The study will require patients to visit the study center a total of at least 7 times over the course of up to 14 weeks. The study consists of 2 phases: A screening phase (up to 2 weeks) when patients will be evaluated for eligibility to participate in the study, and a double-blind treatment phase (12 weeks) when patients will receive daily doses of either TCH346 or placebo and will be evaluated for clinical effects. In addition, patients eligible to participate in this study will be required to have 3 magnetic resonance spectroscopic (MRS) scans. The MRS is a non-invasive, painless, "brain scan". The MRS will require traveling to a designated center in Montreal, Canada, which is very experienced in performing such MRS scans in ALS patients.
The purpose of this multicenter study is to determine if insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) slows the progressive weakness in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. Study participants will be followed for 2 years once enrolled. They will receive either placebo or the active IGF-I. Examinations will take place at approximately 6-month intervals.
This study will use a magnetic resonance imaging technique called nuclear magnetic spectroscopy (H-MRS) to define the pathology and progression of primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and assess the usefulness of this technique in evaluating patients' response to therapy. H-MRS will be used to examine metabolic changes in the parts of the brain and spinal cord (motor cortex and corticospinal tract) involved in movement. Normal volunteers and patients with primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis between 21 and 65 years of age may be eligible for this study. Participants will have up to five H-MRS studies, including baseline and follow-up tests. For this procedure, the subject lies on a stretcher that is moved into a strong magnetic field. Earplugs are worn to muffle the loud knocking noise that occurs during switching of radio frequencies. The subject will be asked to lie still during each scan, for 1 to 8 minutes at a time. Total scanning time varies from 20 minutes to 2 hours, with most examinations lasting between 45 and 90 minutes. Communication with the medical staff is possible at all times during the scan.
The purpose of this study is to compare and evaluate the safety of AVP-923 (dextromethorphan/quinidine) for the treatment of emotional lability in ALS patients.
Objective: The objectives of this protocol are: to develop and maintain a repository of clinically characterized patients with primary lateral sclerosis for future research protocols, to characterize the natural history of neurodegenerative disorders with corticospinal neuron degeneration, to investigate proposed etiologies, risk factors, and biomarkers for the development of these disorders and for disease progression Study Population: 240 patients with adult-onset progressive spasticity with a diagnosis of primary lateral sclerosis or related upper motor neuron disorder Design: Patients who have been referred by physicians for primary lateral sclerosis will undergo a screening evaluation at the first visit. The screening visit will include review of outside medical records, neurological examination, and diagnostic testing to determine possible causes of spasticity. Patients fulfilling the clinical criteria for primary lateral sclerosis by history or examination will be followed to determine the natural history of this disorder. Measures of motor and cognitive function will be made at baseline and follow-up visits to follow clinical progression. Magnetic resonance imaging will be carried out to determine if imaging changes occur over time. Patients identified in this protocol who are eligible for other research protocols will be invited to participate in additional protocols. Outcome Measures: Clinical progression will be documented by measures of finger-tapping, timed gait, speech. The association between clinical progression and MRI measures will be assessed as a secondary outcome....