View clinical trials related to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Filter by:In ALS models, it was shown that receptors, that bind an important messenger substance (glutamate) in the brain, are increased. In this research project, the investigators want to use a specific radioactive substance to find out whether these receptors are more detectable in people with ALS than in healthy people and increase over the course of the disease.
In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, dysphagia has a high incidence. With deterioration of swallowing function, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube is recommended to ensure sufficient and safe oral intake. Dysphagia and PEG placement alter quality of life (QoL). However, QoL and attitudes toward PEG remain largely unexplored. The purpose of this study is to monitor the swallowing function in relationship to QoL and attitudes toward PEG tube insertion and feeding.
The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of using intelligent volume assured pressure support (iVAPS-AE) versus spontaneous timed (ST) modes of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in patients diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The investigators believe that the use of iVAPS-AE mode NIV over a 90 day period will produce NIV compliance data and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores that are equivalent or no worse compared to ST mode NIV.
Patients with motor neurone disease typically experience relentless motor decline and die within three years of symptom onset from respiratory muscle weakness. There are currently no effective therapies and the discovery of novel therapies is hampered by the lack of a sensitive disease biomarker. Consequently, there is a huge drive to discover novel biomarkers, which can reliably track disease progression over time. These can then be incorporated into clinical drug trials to expedite effective drug discovery. Muscle fasciculations represent the hyperexcitability of diseased motor neurons and are almost universally present from the early stages of MND. We predict that the site, frequency and shape of fasciculations might provide a sensitive measure of disease progression in an individual. We have been conducting a 12-month longitudinal study of 25 patients, performing high-density surface EMG every two months. We have validated an automated technique to process these large data sets. Ultrasound is widely used in clinical medicine to assess anatomical structure in a safe and non-invasive way. Dr Emma Hodson-Tole (Manchester Metropolitan University) and her group have been applying this to the analysis of fasciculations in healthy individuals and patients with MND. This collaborative project will explore combining these two techniques simultaneously in patients with motor neuron disease and control subjects. The goal is to explore the nature of electro-mechanical coupling related to fasciculations and to determine whether any of these properties are pathophysiological. This would complement other studies from our two groups, investigating the natural history and potential utility of fasciculations as a biomarker of motor neuron health in MND.
Longitudinally collect biomarkers from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and control participants in order to further elucidate both potential causes and treatments for ALS. Samples and clinical information will be collected from patients with ALS and controls.
The investigator is examining the safety of transplanting cells, that have been engineered to produce a growth factor, into the motor cortex (brain) of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The cells are called neural progenitor cells, which are a type of stem cell that can become several different types of cells in the nervous system. These cells have been derived to specifically become astrocytes, which is a type of neural cell. The growth factor is called glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, or GDNF. GDNF is a protein that promotes the survival of many types of neural cells. Therefore, the cells are called "CNS10-NPC-GDNF." The investigational treatment has been tested in people by delivering it to the spinal cord. However, it has only been delivered to the motor cortex of animals. In this study, we want to learn if CNS10-NPC-GDNF cells are safe to transplant into the motor cortex (brain) of people.
This is an optional open-label extension to participants that have completed the clinical trial CNMAu8.205.
This is a feasibility study of telemonitoring system for people with MND/ALS, who are on NIV, via a call centre operated by a local clinical commissioning group.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare and serious neurodegenerative disease causing degeneration of motor neurons. . It leads to a progressive paralysis of the muscles involved in voluntary motricity. In France, its incidence is 2.5/100,000 inhabitants per year. The death of patients is mainly caused by a progressive attack of the respiratory muscles. Indeed, the thorax is no longer actively mobilized to the maximum amplitude, it will lose its flexibility. A restrictive syndrome sets in followed by alveolar hypoventilation. Bronchial congestion may be concomitant. Management is then based on non-invasive ventilation (NIV). This step, which is difficult for patients to accept psychologically, must be delayed as much as possible. However, to date, there are no precise recommendations on preventing the appearance of this restrictive syndrome and on slowing down the deterioration of lung function in patients. The pressure relaxer (RLX) is an instrumental aid allowing on the one hand to mobilize the thorax thanks to hyper insufflations, and on the other hand to increase the effectiveness of the cough. The use of this device in physiotherapy is part of the HAS recommendations to promote decluttering. However, we believe that RLX in patients with ALS, through the pulmonary alveolar recruitment it induces, could be relevant at an earlier phase, for the prevention of the decline in pulmonary functions: the restrictive syndrome, bronchial congestion and alveolar hypoventilation. So ultimately, the quality of life and survival of these patients would be improved. It is in this context that this multicenter randomized controlled study RELAX'SLA takes place in order to evaluate the effects of the early use of the pressure relaxer on the respiratory impairment of patients with ALS.
Preliminary evaluation of an obstacle alerting system to enhance the user's independent mobility by improving their confidence to drive and their safety in driving a powered wheelchair.