View clinical trials related to Muscular Dystrophy.
Filter by:This protocol proposes to establish gene expression profiles of muscular dystrophies for correct diagnosis and for development of experimental therapies for these diseases.
By supplying an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D with the addition of weekly bisphosphonate, the investigators will be able to increase bone mass and decrease the incidence of fragility fractures in these children with muscular dystrophy. The investigators think this treatment will also decrease the intensity of pain frequently present in these patients and slow the progression of scoliosis.
The objective of the proposed study is to evaluate the clinical utility of muscle ultrasonography for improving the diagnostic yield and safety of core muscle biopsy. Our facility currently uses core (needle) biopsy to obtain muscle samples in patients 18 years old or older. Currently, there is no imaging tool used to guide the actual biopsy. As muscle biopsy is an invasive and potentially painful procedure, improving the diagnostic yield of this test is important.
Background: - Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a disease in which the muscles are unable to make the protein dystrophin. Without this protein, the muscles become gradually weaker. A new medicine called GSK2402968 is being tested to see if it can help prevent or slow down this loss of muscle strength. In this study, boys with DMD and healthy volunteers will have different types of imaging studies to see which ones provide the best images of the muscles. This information will help researchers use these imaging techniques to test the safety and effectiveness of GSK2402968 and other agents. Objectives: - To test magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound techniques that can detect changes in muscles of boys with DMD. Eligibility: - Boys who have DMD and are in the GSK2402968 drug test study. - Healthy boys of the same age as the above study participants. Design: - Participants will be screened with a medical history and physical exam. - Healthy volunteers will have one 2-hour visit with three tests. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the skeletal muscles and heart and diaphragm muscles will be carried out. Muscle ultrasound imaging of leg and arm muscles will also be done. Participants should not perform heavy physical activity like school sports or long walks during the week before the visit. - Participants in the GSK2402968 study will have the same series of tests as the healthy volunteers. The tests will be given during the study screening phase. They will be repeated after 3 months and 6 months of receiving the study agent (GSK2402968 or placebo) and at 6 months after stopping the GSK study.
The purpose of this research study is to demonstrate that individuals with upper limb paralysis due to spinal cord injury, brachial plexus injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and brain stem stroke can successfully achieve direct brain control of assistive devices using an electrocorticography (ECoG)-based brain computer interface system.
People with mobility disabilities are at greater risk than the general population for incurring health problems. Many of these conditions are preventable through behavior and lifestyle changes such as exercise and physical activity. Recent evidence suggests that people with disabilities experience the same physiologic response to exercise as the general population. Nonetheless, nearly three-fourths of those with disabilities report being entirely sedentary or not active enough to achieve health benefits. Despite some knowledge of issues that limit physical activity among this population, few studies have investigated methods for promoting physical activity adoption among people with disabilities, including wheelchair users. The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of a behavioral intervention to promote physical activity adoption over 6 months and maintenance of physical activity over another 6 months by community-dwelling manual wheelchair users.
Adult myotonic muscular dystrophy (Steinert's disease) is the most common inherited neuromuscular disorder. Cardiac rhythm disturbances occur frequently in this disease state and may be responsible for up to one-third of deaths. In this study, we intend to evaluate the utility of non-invasive electrocardiographic screening methods and history in predicting serious arrhythmic events.
It is proposed that patients with skin disease due to presumed immunologic, genetic or viral-induced abnormalities, patients with neurological degenerations, and normal controls be evaluated with various in vitro studies of immunologic, genetic, and virologic function. This is to include studies of peripheral blood (cells and serum) as well as studies of skin obtained with a biopsy instrument. In addition, studies of gastrointestinal function will be performed where appropriate.