View clinical trials related to Neuromuscular Diseases.
Filter by:There is a great need for the development of sensitive outcomes that allow experimental drugs to be tested in human subjects more efficiently. If we could more precisely measure whether an experimental drug slows the progression of ALS or other neuromuscular diseases, this would allow more drugs to be tested quicker and at less expense. We have developed a new device that accurately measures isometric strength called: Accurate Test of Limb Isometric Strength (ATLIS). This device was designed to be portable, quick, and easy to use, while generating accurate and reliable, interval level data. This study will enable us to test the reliability and validity of ATLIS.
The aim of the study is to compare the effects of a modified form (AutoVPAP) of the VPAP non-invasive ventilator versus standard VPAP ventilation on sleep quality and breathing during sleep in stable patients with nocturnal hypoventilation due to restrictive ventilatory disorders (eg. neuromuscular disease or chest wall disorder).
The Neuromuscular Diseases Section (NDS) is conducting research on certain inherited myopathies and neuropathies, disorders that lead to disability and sometimes death. NDS, along with other groups, has identified some disease-causing genes. The National Institutes of Health Clinical Center proposes new research to identify additional hereditary neuromuscular diseases and conduct genetic studies in order to localize, clone, and characterize the diseases. An expected 50 patients with known or suspected inherited myopathy or neuropathy and their families will be recruited for this study. If travel to the Clinical Center is impossible, investigators may come to them to do the tests. Ten to twenty cubic centimeters of blood will be drawn for DNA extraction and genotyping. Some abnormal movements of muscle atrophy will be documented by videotaping. If necessary, diagnostic laboratory and radiographic studies will be done to confirm diagnosis. Because the diseases are hereditary, blood may also be drawn from family members. The family will be counseled and the participants invited back annually to investigate the progression of the disease. Each participant will be evaluated by a history and initial neurological exam. Up to another 20 mL of blood will be drawn for routine blood studies. Other medical care procedures may include a chest x-ray, EKG and echocardiogram, CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, pulmonary function tests, and physical therapy assessment. Possible research procedures may include MR spectroscopy, nerve conduction study, electromyography, muscle or nerve biopsy, and lumbar puncture. The researchers have decided not to inform the family if nonpaternity or adoption is discovered by the DNA genotyping. Also, because a carrier of the disease gene may not necessarily develop the disease, family members will not be informed if they are carriers.
The objectives of this protocol are to: 1) screen patients with various neuromuscular disorders and facilitate their entry into appropriate research protocols; 2) help resolve puzzling diagnostic neuromuscular problems and train fellows in the evaluation and treatment of Neuromuscular Diseases; and 3) provide follow up to patients who finished their participation in a previous study but they are not currently entered in another research protocol. No investigational treatments will be performed on this protocol but the tissues collected can be used for future research studies.
This study will investigate problems with muscle weakness and control using electromyography-a test of nerve-muscle cell communication. Advanced techniques called single fiber electromyography and macro-electromyography, which evaluate individual muscle fibers, will be used. Besides aiding in diagnosis, these tests provide information about disease progression that may be useful in guiding therapy. Adult patients with suspected neurological disorders of muscle control and weakness may be eligible for this study. Normal volunteers may also participate. For the electromyography procedure, a special needle is inserted into a muscle. The patient will slightly tense the muscle and maintain the tension while electrical signals from the muscle fibers are being recorded. The electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker, providing feedback to help the patient tense the muscle the appropriate amount. The test, which is usually done for only one muscle, takes 1 to 2 hours. If needed, short breaks can be taken. If the patient cannot maintain tension in the muscle for the entire test period, a nerve will be stimulated to activate the muscle. A thin needle is inserted near the nerve, and a series of small electrical shocks are given to activate a nerve fiber. The electromyography needle is inserted into the muscle to measure the response, as described above. A neurologist receiving specialized training in clinical neurophysiology will do the electromyography procedure under the direct supervision of an experienced neurologist.
The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the efficacy of Retrovir (AZT) in the treatment of AIDS-related dementia and various neuromuscular complications. HIV is both a lymphotropic and neurotropic virus which can affect both the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS, PNS). There is evidence that the CNS and PNS may harbor the virus in a latent state, with the potential for continuous reinfection of other body systems. Therefore, effective therapeutic efforts against HIV infection should provide effective antiviral activity within the nervous system.
The peripheral nervous system is the portion of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord. It includes the 12 pairs of cranial nerves, 31 pairs of spinal nerves and their branches, nerves responsible for sensation and maintenance of normal body functions (sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves). Years of research using clinical examinations, microscopic examinations, and electrophysiology have made the peripheral nervous system the best-studied and most available portion of the nervous system. However, even with all of the extensive studies conducted on the peripheral nervous system, many conditions remain unclassified. The EMG Laboratory at the NIH concentrates on studying disorders of the peripheral nervous system. This protocol was designed to allow the EMG Laboratory to; I) Learn more about established diseases of the peripheral nervous system II) Identify and characterize new diseases of the peripheral nervous system III) Assess current techniques in the diagnosis of diseases of the peripheral nervous system IV) Refine old methods and develop new ones for the diagnosis of diseases of the peripheral nervous system.