Active clinical trials for "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis"

Creation 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

The purpose of this protocol is to test a new Electrical Impedance Myography (EIM) device and study its reliability and ability to differentiate ALS patients from healthy controls.

The purpose of this study is to look for abnormal genes and gene expression profiles that help determine why a person develops amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and related motor neuron diseases (MND) and why their symptoms present and progress with a particular pattern.

This 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.

The purpose of this study is to collect biofluid samples for the banking and usage in ALS research. Through comparison of these samples, the researchers hope to learn more about the underlying cause of ALS, as well as find unique biological markers, which could be used to develop new therapies.

The purpose is to collect data for ALS research. The data will be used to learn more about the origin of ALS and to improve quality of care for people with ALS. The information you provide in the ALS registry will be used to evaluate variations in patient care, adherence to standards of care and also to help foster ALS research.

This study will test whether primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) affect parts of the brain responsible for thinking, planning, memory and emotion. Healthy volunteers 18 years of age and older and patients with PLS and ALS may be eligible for this study. Participants undergo the following procedures: Rating motor function: Subjects are asked to contract certain muscles in the face, arms and legs, to tap their finger on a keyboard rapidly, to walk 20 feet, and to read a paragraph out loud. Electroencephalography (EEG): The electrical activity of the brain (brain waves) is recorded while subjects tap their finger very slowly. For this test, electrodes are placed on the scalp using a cap or an adhesive substance. A conductive gel is used to fill the space between the electrodes and the scalp to ensure good contact. Surface electromyography (EMG): The electrical activity of the muscles is measured. Electrodes filled with a conductive gel are taped to the skin over the muscle tested. Neuropsychological testing: Testing may include questionnaires, pen-and-paper or computerized tests, and motor tasks. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce images of the brain. The subject lies on a table that slides into the scanner. Scanning time varies from 20 minutes to 3 hours, with most scans lasting 45-90 minutes.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique to gather information about brain function. It is very useful when studying the areas of the brain related to motor activity (motor cortex, corticospinal tract, spinal cord and nerve roots). The procedure is conducted by transmitting a magnetic signal into the brain to stimulate an area of the body. Electrodes (small pieces of metal taped to areas of the body) are used in order to measure electrical activity. A magnetic signal is sent from a metal instrument held close to the patient's head, to an area of the brain responsible for motor activity of a certain area of the body. The electrodes pick up and record the electrical activity in the muscles. This study will employ the use of TMS to diagnose neurological disorders that affect the motor cortex or the corticospinal tract. Normal subjects are sometimes studied to investigate normal activity of the nervous system and to train doctors in clinical neurophysiology and electrodiagnostic medicine at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

A multi-center registration study of natural history and clinical characteristics of ALS in mainland China

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Charcot disease, is a neurodegenerative disease evidenced by gradual paralysis of the muscles involved in voluntary motor function. The clinical hallmark of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is the combination of upper and lower motor neuron signs and symptoms. The most recent studies suggest that up to 50% of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis patients demonstrate mild to moderate cognitive disturbance. Impaired social cognition, including a deficit in the recognition of facial emotions and the identification of vocal prosody, is recognized as a part of the cognitive phenotype of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, with crucial implications for patients' and caregivers' training. However, studies remain scarce and the data acquired must be supported. The evolution of these manifestations during the disease is still poorly understood. In this study the investigators aim to assess the social cognition capacities of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis compared to healthy matched control subjects.