The Pre-symptomatic Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Pre-fALS) Study

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Clinical Trial

— Pre-fALS  

Official title:

The Pre-symptomatic Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Pre-fALS) Study

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00317616
• Other study ID #: Pre-fALS
• Status: Recruiting
• Start date: April 2006
• Est. completion date: December 2027

Study information

• Verified date: February 2024
• Source: University of Miami
• Contact: Anne-Laure M Grignon, MD
• Phone: 1-888-413-9315
• Email: fals[@]med.miami.edu
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

Pre-fALS is a prospective natural history and biomarker study of people not yet affected with ALS, but who are at genetic risk for developing ALS. The investigators aim to recruit unaffected (healthy) people from familial ALS (fALS) pedigrees in which a known genetic mutation associated with ALS has been identified; for this study, a fALS pedigree is one with two biologically related individuals who have or have had ALS and/or FTD. Individuals who may be at genetic risk for ALS and who belong to families with at least one affected family member who has tested positive for a known ALS genetic mutation may also be eligible to participate. Our goal is to study the pre-symptomatic phase, onset and progression of ALS and to learn more about genetic and environmental factors that put people at risk for developing ALS.

Description:

Healthy individuals from fALS families with a known genetic mutation will be included in this study. We encourage people who have previously undergone genetic testing and were found to carry the mutation that affects their family as well as those who do not know their genetic status to contact us. Those who wish to participate and to learn the results of genetic testing, may do so after undergoing genetic counseling. It is also possible to participate without learning the results of genetic testing. Participants eligible to complete study visits will travel to Miami (at our expense) approximately every 12-24 months for a period of 10 years or longer and will perform various biomarker procedures. Between visits, participants will complete phone calls about their health.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Recruiting
• Enrollment: 500
• Est. completion date: December 2027
• Est. primary completion date: December 2027
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

• A member of a family in which a mutation in a gene associated with ALS has been identified.
• No symptoms to suggest the presence of ALS (i.e. study participants must currently be healthy).
• Having at least 50% probability of carrying an ALS associated gene mutation based on family pedigree.
• Willingness to undergo genetic testing, with the option of whether or not to learn the results.
• Willingness and availability to travel to Miami for a few days approximately every 12 to 24 months to complete biomarker procedures (e.g, MRI, blood draws, spinal tab/lumbar puncture, cognitive testing) Exclusion Criteria
• Diagnosis of ALS
• Any condition or situation which, in the PI's opinion, could confound the biomarker data or may interfere with the individual's participation and compliance with the study protocol, including but not limited to neurological, psychological and/or medical conditions.

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Motor Neuron Disease
• Sclerosis

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	University of Miami	Miami	Florida

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Miami	ALS Association

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Risk Factors for Progression to familial ALS		Years