View clinical trials related to Motor Neuron Disease.
Filter by:Thirty individuals with ALS (18 men and 12 women, mean age 59 years, range 44-74 years), and 30 healthy controls matched for age and gender, participated. Individuals with ALS and from the control group were randomly divided into three groups, each using a different communication device systems (Kinect®, Leap Motion Controller® or touchscreen) to perform two task phases (acquisition and retention). Performance was then explored in a third phase (transfer) by switching devices (two transfers); so that, all groups had contact with all communication interfaces.
The primary objectives of this study are to determine the safety and efficacy of Amivita, a compound of amino acids and vitamines in patients with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)ALS. The secondary objectives are to measure quality of life before and during intervention. This is a self-controlled clinical trial. Twenty patients in our ALS center who are already receiving riluzole or other treatments but the condition is worsening will receive treatment for 1o months. The evaluating investigators will be blinded to treatment assignment. Primary outcome measures will be adverse events, the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R), and survival. Subjects will also be assessed at enrollment and at study end for weight loss, forced vital capacity (FVC), quality of life and grip strength.
Individuals suffering from tetraplegia as a result of cervical spinal cord injury, brainstem stroke, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cannot independently perform tasks of daily living. In many cases, these conditions do not have effective therapies and the only intervention is the provision of assistive devices to increase independence and quality of life. However, currently available devices suffer from usability issues and are limiting for both the patient and caregiver. One of the most progressive alternative strategies for assistive devices is the use of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology to translate intention signals directly from sensors in the brain into computer or device action. Preclinical primate research and recent human clinical pilot studies have demonstrated success in restoring function to disabled individuals using sensors implanted directly in motor regions of the brain. Other preclinical primate research has demonstrated effective intention translation from sensors implemented in cognitive regions of the brain and that this information complements information from the motor regions. The current proposal seeks to build on these studies and to test the safety aspects related to implanting two sensors, each a microelectrode array, into both the motor and cognitive regions of the brain in motor impaired humans. Secondary objectives include feasibility evaluation of the complementary sensors in their ability to support effective assistive communication.
The psychological impact of ALS on both patients and caregivers is high and affects their quality of life (QOL). However, there is minimal research about psychological interventions to improve QOL in the ALS scientific literature. Recent advances in clinical treatments aimed at improving the health of people with chronic disorders are based on the concept of mindfulness. Mindfulness can be defined as a flexible state of mind resulting from the simple act of actively noticing new things, as opposed to mindlessness, the human tendency to operate on" autopilot". Preliminary data suggests that mindfulness may promote a better QOL for people with ALS and their caregivers. The investigators also found that a mindful attitude was associated with slower disease progression. This project's goal is to develop an innovative, web-based online mindfulness training program and intervention, customized for people with ALS and their primary caregivers. It is an active learning intervention, with cognitive exercises and lectures that increase participants' mindfulness. The efficacy of this program for improving QOL, and for reducing anxiety and depression in people with ALS and their caregivers, will be tested with a randomized clinical trial. Assessments immediately post-treatment as well as 3 and 6 months after recruitment will be conducted, comparing subjects undergoing the mindfulness intervention to a control group.
The purpose of the study is to measure the negative cognitive consequences of the ventilation under pathological or experimental cortical drive to breath.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness and eventual death. Studies demonstrate that the immune system plays a key role in ALS progression; however, the role of the immune system is unclear, as various aspects can play both a beneficial and detrimental role in the disease course. Attempts to universally suppress the immune system in ALS patients have at best had negligible effects on progression or at worst accelerated the disease. Thus, there is a critical need to identify immune cell populations to serve as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rare disease with a worldwide incidence of 2-3 cases per 100,000 individuals/year and it is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration of motor neurons. When motor neurons degenerate the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. ALS manifests in two forms: Familiar ALS (FALS) with inherited risk genotypes, accounts for only 10% of cases and sporadic ALS (SALS) without apparent heritability accounts for 90% of cases. ALS can occur in both female and male subjects at any age but is more common in people aged over 40. Although the molecular mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of ALS is still under investigation, recent research has revealed that diseases affecting motor neurons may be associated to alterations of RNA metabolism and biogenesis of small non-coding micro RNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are circulating molecules, whose expression profiles are widely described to have an important potential in monitoring the progression of a disease, to promote the development of more targeted therapies and/or to determine the effectiveness of treatments. Altered patterns of specific miRNAs expression have been described in several pathological conditions. Evidence shows a significant reduction in the levels of certain miRNAs also in patients with ALS. Among others, miRNA-218 has been described to play a critical role in the onset of motor neurons differentiation and in establishing cell identity and fate. Changes in the levels of miRNA-218 in the serum of ALS patients may potentially provide useful tools to determine the possible association with this disease and to candidate it as indicator of disease progression.
To assess the safety of peripheral blood mononuclear cell transplantation into the subarachnoid space for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or else known as Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a rapidly progressive fatal neurological disease that strikes in the prime of life, and for which there is no treatment. The principal aim of management is to maintain quality of life and reduce the symptoms of the disease. This requires a multidisciplinary approach using best practice for symptom alleviation, including innovation approaches towards maximising quality of life. The purpose of this study is to use existing information drawn from partner countries into a system of care that is available to people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at the correct time, in the correct format and in a cost effective manner. This will be achieved by collecting details of patient and carer experiences across all stages of from diagnosis to end of life, including decision making in the terminal stages of the disease. A health economic analysis will help to identify the overall costs of disease management, provide models of increased efficiency that preserve and maximize quality of life, and begin to develop novel health economic measurement tools for terminal neurological illness. The completed project will provide a user-friendly best practice programme for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis that can be modified for management of other related degenerative diseases of the nervous system.
- People with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have reduced connections in the nerve circuits between the brain and the hands. Activating spared nerve circuits is one potential way to improve recovery. - The investigators are testing different combinations of physical wrist and hand movements paired with magnetic brain stimulation and electrical spinal cord or nerve stimulation to see the effects on nerve transmission to hand muscles. - This is a preliminary study. This study is testing for temporary changes in nerve transmission to hand muscles. There is no expectation of long-term benefit from this study. If temporary changes are seen in this study, then future studies would focus on how to prolong that effect.