Ultrasonography of the Neuromuscular Degeneration Behavior in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neurological disease. An exhaustive and frequent clinical evaluation can lead to establish an adequate and early treatment of the consequences of its evolution. Objectives. To evaluate the evolution of diaphragmatic and peripheral neuromuscular degeneration by ultrasound examination in patients with ALS and to establish possible evolution patterns. To verify the relationship between the degenerative peripheral and diaphragmatic neuromuscular changes evaluated by ultrasonography and changes in clinical scales frequently used. To compare the ultrasonographic features of subjects with ALS and a sample of healthy subjects Methods. A longitudinal observational study in a consecutive sample of patients diagnosed with ALS will be realized. All the patients will be examined 3 times, with an interval of at least 3 months between tests. Bilateral and cross sectional ultrasonography of several peripheral muscles and diaphragm will be performed at rest and during muscle contraction. All the images will be processed and analyzed for obtaining morphometric variables (muscle thickness) and textural ones (echogenic variation, entropy, homogeneity, textural contrast and correlation). Frequency of twitches will be also recorded in peripheral muscles.Also clinical features will be noted, every time of the 3 exams, from Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-r), British Medical Council Research Scale(MRC), and routine pulmonary tests.
Optic Coherence Tomography in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset, devastating, neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of cortical, brain stem, and spinal motor neurons. Visual evoked potentials studies in patients with ALS suggest visual pathway involvement. Optic coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive cross-sectional imaging modality measuring the optical reflections in biological tissues. The main objective of this observational cohort study is to explore the correlation between changes on OCT retinal parameters and and clinical disability as measured by the ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALS-FRS-r) in patients with ALS at baseline, 3 and 6 months. A secondary objective is to explore the correlation between changes in retinal OCT parameters and pulmonary function tests (FVC and FEV1) in this cohort of patients with ALS. A parallel cohort of healthy age and sex matched subjects will participate as controls to obtain reference values of their retinal layers' thickness at baseline, 3 and 6 months.
Hypermetabolism in ALS Using Six REE Formulas
Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisIntroduction: About 50-60% of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by hypermetabolism, defined as 10% or more excess resting energy expenditure (REE) compared to theoretical values. Harris and Benedict's (HB) formula is the equation mainly used to predict REE, but others are also applied in current practice. The present study aimed to assess REE in ALS patients compared to control populations and to compare six formulas commonly used to predict REE. Nutritional assessments were performed in ALS patients and in two control populations without hypermetabolism: healthy elderly people (control 1) and patients with non-restrictive-eating disorders (control 2). Weight, height and body composition (by bioimpedance analysis) were assessed. EE was measured (mREE) by indirect calorimetry and calculated (cREE) using HB 1919 and 1984, World Schofield, De Lorenzo, Johnstone and Mifflin formulas. Mann-Whitney and Chi2 tests were used to compare the equations.
Intermediate Expanded Access Protocol (EAP) CNMAu8.EAP02
Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisThe primary objective of the intermediate expanded access protocol is to provide access to the investigational product, CNM-Au8, to up to 300 people living with ALS (pALS). No formal clinical hypotheses are being evaluated with concurrent controls. Secondary objectives include assessment of the safety of CNM-Au8 treatment in pALS. Safety will be assessed through the frequency of serious adverse events (SAEs), treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) assessed as 'severe', discontinuations due to TEAEs, and laboratory abnormalities assessed as clinically significant during routine clinical monitoring (as applicable).
Olfactory Deficits in Neurologic Disease
Alzheimer DiseaseTraumatic Brain Injury4 moreThe goal of this study is to examine olfactory function in preclinical subjects or individuals with neurological diseases such as Probable Alzheimer's Disease (PRAD), Frontotemporal Dementias (FTD), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Quantitative Analysis of Precise Brain Volume in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisUsing the original MRI images of 16 ALS patients and 16 normal controls matched by gender, age and education level in the previous study, the differences of brain volume in different parts of ALS patients and normal controls, and the correlation between brain structure and clinical characteristics were compared by precise brain volume quantitative analysis technology.
IC14 for ALS Patients Expanded Access
Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisThe primary objective is to provide the investigational product, IC14, at the dose of 8 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks for 12 weeks to 6 participants with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). No clinical hypotheses are being tested. An extension for 6 additional doses every 2 weeks will be allowed if the drug is safe and well tolerated.A second extension for 14 doses every 2 weeks will be allowed if the drug is safe and well tolerated.
Cognitive Consequences of an Activation of the Cortical Drive to Breath (VENTIPSY)
Ondine SyndromeHealthy1 moreThe purpose of the study is to measure the negative cognitive consequences of the ventilation under pathological or experimental cortical drive to breath.
Answer ALS: Individualized Initiative for ALS Discovery
Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisPrimary Lateral Sclerosis6 moreCreation of a large repository of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), bio-fluid samples (blood and spinal fluid (optional)), and cell lines for ALS gene identification. This will be combined carefully with collected measures of the pattern of the symptoms people with ALS have and how these change over time. People with other motor neuron diseases and healthy controls will be included as comparisons
Innovative Ultrasound Technology in Neuromuscular Disease
Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisMuscular Dystrophy5 moreThis study is utilizing ultrasound measurement to measure neuromuscular disease status in adult patients. The hypothesis is the by quantifying ultrasound data, it is possible that ultrasound can be utilized as a tool to determine if a disease is responding to therapy or progressing.