View clinical trials related to Muscular Atrophy.
Filter by:The purpose of this study is to identify the maximum tolerated dosage of sodium phenylbutyrate in children with spinal muscular atrophy type I; and to determine if the drug has an effect on SMN mRNA and protein levels.
This is an open label phase I/II clinical trial to assess safety, tolerability and potential effect on SMN mRNA and protein in vivo of a compound in which preliminary evidence supports a potential effect on SMN levels in vitro.
Levetiracetam (Keppra) is used to treat partial onset seizures. Its biological effects suggest it might also be useful in treating 3 aspects of human motor neuron diseases (MNDs) for which no effective therapy exists: cramps, spasticity, and disease progression.
This study will determine if the drug dutasteride can improve weakness, mobility, functioning, nerve function, and quality of life in patients with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). Patients with this inherited disease have an abnormal androgen receptor protein. The male hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) bind to this abnormal receptor, causing damage to nerve cells that innervate muscle and leading to weakness. Dutasteride decreases DHT production. Lowering DHT levels may decrease the harmful effects of DHT to the nerves and improve strength in people with SBMA. Males 18 years of age and older with SBMA who have neurological symptoms and can walk 100 feet (with or without assistive devices) may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened with a blood test and a review of their medical records and genetic studies. Participants undergo the following procedures: - Blood and urine tests, history and physical examination, assessment of muscle strength - Quality-of-life questionnaire - Tests to assess functional abilities, such walking up steps, keeping the head up while lying down, and other measures - Nerve conduction study and motor unit number estimation to assess nerve damage. A probe placed on the skin delivers small electrical impulses and wires taped to the skin record the impulses. - Quantitative muscle testing to measure strength. The subject pushes and pulls levers attached to a gauge. Strength is recorded by a computer. - Medication. Participants are divided into two groups. One group is given the study drug, dutasteride; the other receives a placebo (sugar pill). All participants take their assigned medication once a day for 24 months. - Follow-up evaluations. Every 6 months for 2 years, participants return to NIH to repeat the tests described above to determine the effects of the dutasteride. Nerve and quantitative muscle testing is not done at the 6- and 18-month visits. - In addition to their follow-up appointments here at the NIH every 6 months, participants will also have blood tests and a physical examination performed after 3, 9, 15 and 21 months of treatment by the patient's local physician.
This is a multi-center trial to assess safety and efficacy of a combined regimen of oral valproic acid (VPA) and carnitine in patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) 2 to 17 years of age. Cohort 1 is a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized intention to treat protocol for SMA "sitters" 2 - 8 years of age. Cohort 2 is an open label protocol for SMA "standers and walkers" 3 - 17 years of age to explore responsiveness of efficacy outcomes. Outcome measures will include blood chemistries, functional testing, pulmonary function testing, electrophysiological evaluations, PedsQL quality of life assessment, quantitative assessments of survival motor neuron (SMN) mRNA from blood samples, growth and vital sign parameters. Six centers will enroll a total of 90 patients.
In this project, we will establish the efficient and accurate gene dose determination system by combining the heterodulex analysis and gene dose analysis on DHPLC platform based on various quantitative and multiplex PCR strategies and applying on detecting the carriers- in- risk and patients with spinal muscular atrophy.This method is, therefore, based on the observation that the amount of PCR product generated from each site of amplification is proportional to the amount of starting template. Detection of PCR products is carried out on DHPLC, which provide the sensitivity required for the detection of the single-copy dosage changes.
In this, here we want to present a new method for analysis variation in gene copy number for patients and carriers of SMA. This is a relative quantitation method and, therefore, relies on the inclusion of one or more internal control or reference sequences; quantitation of DNA is relative to this reference sequence of known copy number. A peak height from within a potentially duplicated or deleted target region is amplified simultaneously with a disomic reference region in a multiplex PCR system.
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a disorder that affects the motor neurons. SMA is caused by a mutation in a part of the DNA called the survival motor neuron (SMN1) gene, which normally produces a protein called SMN. Because of their gene mutation, people with SMA make less SMN protein, which results in the loss of motor neurons. SMA symptoms may be improved by increasing the levels of SMN protein. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a drug called a histone deacetylase inhibitor can increase SMN levels. After undergoing a general medical and neurological evaluation, study participants will donate a blood sample. Researchers will use this sample to measure SMN levels. They will also isolate cells from the blood and treat the cells with various drugs that may increase SMN levels.
Patients who are forced to rest or reduce activity as a result of illness, injury, or surgery often experience resulting muscle weakness. This study will evaluate muscle features and muscle strength in patients who are recovering from surgery for broken ankles. The goal of this study is to improve the recovery of muscle function and overall ability after prolonged periods of ankle inactivity due to surgery.
This study's primary objective is to determine the independent and combined effects of progressive resistance muscle strength training and testosterone on the development of sustainable improvements in physical function.