Active clinical trials for "Neurodegenerative Diseases"

Background: Previous studies have confirmed that most patients with idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder (iRBD) eventually develop neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, REM sleep without atonia (RSWA), a hallmark of RBD feature, is a significant predictor of development of neurodegenerative diseases in patients with iRBD. Some preliminary studies have implied that isolated RSWA in the absence of RBD symptoms may also indicate neurodegeneration. However, this speculation needs to be confirmed by more refined study with sophisticated measures in both RSWA and markers of neurodegeneration Objectives: 1) to determine the differences in striatal dopamine transmission and other markers of neurodegeneration among individuals with isolated RSWA and healthy controls; 2) to examine the correlation of severity of RSWA with striatal dopamine transmission. Design: Case-control study Setting: Community-based sample Participants: 1) iRBD first degree relatives with isolated RSWA (n=18) 2) iRBD first degree relatives without isolated RSWA (n=18) 3) Community-based health controls without isolated RSWA (n=18) Main outcome measures: The dopamine transmission as measured by triple-tracer PET/ CT imaging protocol including 18F-DOPA, 11C-Raclopride and 18F-FDG images; Brain glucose metabolism and neurocognitive measures; Severity of EMG activity during REM sleep

There is a need for caregiver-initiated and -implemented non-pharmacological interventions directly to and for the person with dementia, including environmental assessment and modification, as first-line treatments for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in persons living with dementia (PLWD). Delivered via telehealth, Harmony at HOME (H@H) aims to train caregivers of persons with moderate to severe ADRD in the skills of assessing and modifying the home environment to promote "person-environment fit," a concept that posits that the ability to access features within a built environment (e.g. bathroom, stairs,) or that factors within the environment itself (lighting, noise level, temperature), especially when linked with individualized social support, contribute to or even shape behavior. In addition to the intervention, the first 10 caregiver participants to enroll will also be invited to participate in two focus groups that will be facilitated during and after the intervention. The first focus group focuses on experiences as a dementia caregiver in rural areas. The second focus group focuses on providing feedback regarding caregivers' perceptions, acceptability, and usefulness of the H@H intervention. These focus groups will be conducted as structured interviews with open-ended questions that encourage participants to share their experiences.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a uniformly progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no known cure. In a novel attempt to widen the search for potential therapeutic agents, a NINDS- led cooperative group performed an in-vitro screening program of 1040 FDA approved drugs in over 28 assays relevant to various neurodegenerative disorders. Several cephalosporins showed hits in ALS relevant assays. Efficacy was noted in models suggesting increased expression of the astrocytic glutamate transporter, EAAT2, as well as models of superoxide dismutase mediated toxicity. Ceftriaxone is a third generation cephalosporin with good CNS penetration, a long half-life, and was effective in both types of ALS assays. Ceftriaxone has calcium binding activity, antioxidant properties, and rescues motor neurons in culture from chronic glutamate toxicity. Since completion of the original NINDS screen, Ceftriaxone has been shown to increase by three fold EAAT2 activity in rodent brains, due to ceftriaxone's ability to increase EAAT2 promotor activation This program is for the use of ceftriaxone in ALS for compassionate care. Currently ceftriaxone is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating bacterial infections but not for treating ALS. However, there is an ongoing phase I study -by NEALS Consortium and the National Institute of Health- with three cohorts -a placebo group and two groups receiving either 2 or 4 grams of ceftriaxone daily-. Unfortunately there are only a limited number of patients being enrolled and the next phase of the project will not be undertaken until next year. At this point there are ALS patients unable to participate in this Phase I trial and unlikely to be alive when the next phase of study begins. Some of these patients want to receive the drug and are willing to pay for the drug and nursing care. We are therefore requesting a compassionate use protocol for these patients who request the medication and are willing to pay for the drug and nursing care to administer it. Dr. Terry Heiman-Patterson will supervise the administration and safety monitoring including labs for renal and hepatic function as well as IV site inspection.

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis are recognized as a major health concern at the present time. There is information in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies regarding the role of brain iron in normal brain aging that may be enhanced with the use of better scanning equipment and procedures, and by correlating this information with clinical data. This research study aims to develop and evaluate a number of techniques that can potentially improve the effectiveness of three tesla (3T) magnetic resonance imaging of neurodegenerative brain disorders.

Parkinson disease (PD) is a chronic degenerative disease characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Its pathophysiological mechanisms are still partially unknown; a main role seems to be played by chronic neuroinflammation. A few reports have addressed the possible involvement of the inflammasome in PD, just describing the protective effect of P2X7 purinergic receptor (P2X7R) blockers in murine models of the disease and in microglial cells, where NLRP3 is activated by α-Synuclein, triggering a neuroinflammation that contributes to degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. It is still unclear whether, in addition to the increased brain expression and function of the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat, pyrin domain containing type 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome platform, a systemic activation of such complex might participate in the pathogenesis of PD, which could be the role of the P2X7R in this scenario, and whether such patterns undergo any specific epigenetic regulation. The present study has been designed to address these issues.

Background: New research criteria for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have recently been developed to enable an early diagnosis of AD pathophysiology by relying on emerging biomarkers. To enable efficient allocation of health care resources, evidence is needed to support decision makers on the adoption of emerging biomarkers in clinical practice. The research goals are to 1) assess the diagnostic test accuracy (of current clinical diagnostic work-up and emerging biomarkers in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), 2) perform a cost-consequence analysis and 3) assess long-term cost-effectiveness by an economic model. Methods/design: In a cohort design 304 consecutive patients suspected of having a primary neurodegenerative disease are approached in four academic memory clinics and followed for two years. Clinical data and data on quality of life data, costs and emerging biomarkers are gathered. Diagnostic test accuracy is determined by relating the clinical practice and new research criteria diagnoses to the reference diagnosis. The clinical practice diagnosis at baseline is reflected by a consensus procedure among experts using clinical information only (no biomarkers). The diagnosis based on the new research criteria is reflected by decision rules that combine clinical and biomarker information. The reference diagnosis is determined by a consensus procedure among experts based on clinical information on the course of symptoms over a two-year time period. A decision analytic model is build combining available evidence from different resources among which (accuracy) results from the study, literature and expert opinion to assess long-term cost-effectiveness of the emerging biomarkers. Discussion: Several other multi-centre trials study the relative value of new biomarkers for early evaluation of AD and related disorders. The uniqueness of this study is the assessment of resource utilization and quality of life to enable an economic evaluation. The study results are generalizable to a population of patients who are referred to a memory clinic due to their memory problems.

This study will examine the origin and development of certain neurological diseases involving abnormal metabolism. A significant number of patients with progressive neurological disorders have not been diagnosed despite extensive workups. Lack of a specific diagnosis may amplify the distress of both the patient and family and decrease the chance of obtaining effective therapy. This study will try to advance the diagnosis and management of such patients. Patients with a metabolic neurological disease of unknown cause or one which presents an unusual or difficult management problem may be eligible for this study. This study does not include patients with known or suspected leukodystrophy. Participants will undergo various procedures, including physical and neurologic examinations, blood and urine tests, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the extent and severity of disease. MRI scanning uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to show structural and chemical changes in the brain. During the procedure, the patient lies on a table in a narrow cylinder containing a magnetic field. He or she can speak with a staff member via an intercom system at all times during the procedure. Patients will also have a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to examine the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which bathes the brain and spinal cord. To obtain the fluid, a local anesthetic is administered and a needle is inserted in the space between the bones in the lower back where the CSF circulates below the spinal cord. A small amount of fluid is collected through the needle. Although spinal fluid will not be examined regularly, this test may be requested during some clinic visits. X-rays, nuclear medicine scans and consultations may be obtained as needed. Other tests may include electroencephalograms (brain wave recordings), psychological tests, and speech and language and rehabilitation evaluations. A skin biopsy may be done to grow cells in culture for metabolic and genetic testing and to analyze the skin under a microscope. For the biopsy, an area of skin is numbed with an anesthetic and a small circular area is removed, using a sharp cookie cutter-type instrument. First degree relatives (parents, children or siblings) of patients with a metabolic disorder of unknown cause will be asked to provide a blood sample for DNA studies to try to identify genetic basis of the disorder. The study is expected to continue for 3 years, with yearly monitoring of patients for changes in neurological, ophthalmological and general medical status.

To evaluate whether postoperative PROM scores of spine patients are influenced by memory bias

Background. Several nutritional factors have been evaluated as prognostic factors for survival in ALS patients at earlier stages of the disease [body mass index (BMI), body composition expressed as fat free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), phase angle (PhA), low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein (LDL/HDL) ratio, cholesterol levels], while only two studies have evaluated some of these parameters after PEG placement. Aim. BMI and cholesterol levels were evaluated as prognostic factors for survival after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement Moreover, the relationship between body composition and BMI in a subgroup of ALS patients was evaluated.

This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase IV trial , comparing HMS 90® versus placebo (soy protein) as add-on (adjuvant) therapy in subjects with idiopathic Parkinson's Disease. The principal objective is to evaluate the changes in biomarkers of oxidative stress and,plasma amino acids, as well as improvement of clinical symptoms and brain function