Active clinical trials for "Motor Neuron Disease"

The Earswitch is a demonstrated proof-of-concept that detects the voluntary contraction of a small muscle in the ear, called the tensor tympani (TT) muscle, which can be effectively used as an input switch. The voluntary activation of the TT makes the eardrum move, and such movement can be detected using a small camera inserted into the ear canal. A previously funded NIHR 'i4i Connect' research project showed how the Earswitch may be advantageous to populations with severe neuro-disabilities, where other communication methods are limited. This project aims to realise the EarSwitch's potential as an assistive communication device and provide supporting evidence towards regulatory approval of the medical device. The robustness and usability of the device will be tested on participants with mild-to-moderate neuro-disabilities and healthy participants. This complements data collected from assistive technology users following the same protocol but will provide additional data to train and understand the underlying detection algorithms for the Earswitch. The ease of which an assistive technology device can be installed and calibrated independently (without guidance from the researcher) so that it is ready to use is also an important consideration for its potential adoption. Participants will have the opportunity to interactively use the Earswitch daily at home, over a prolonged period of 4 weeks. Interviews and questionnaires will be used to gather information on usability and comfort of the device, whilst data from the interactive tasks will provide feedback of engagement and performance. Overall, this will provide crucial insights into how viable the Earswitch is as an assistive technology device and how accurately and reliably the current detection algorithm can detect contraction of the TT muscle. This data will be analysed to inform the final design of the Earswitch ready for commercial production.

The psychological impact of ALS on patients and caregivers is high, significantly affecting their quality of life (QOL). Despite this impact, there is not much research about psychological interventions that could reduce psychological distress and improve QOL. The efficacy of mindfulness-based treatments for the improvement of QOL was previously demonstrated by the investigator's group. Despite preliminary positive results, treatment efficacy tends to weaken over time. The investigators believe that a robust solution to maintain efficacy is to maximize the utilization of technology and emerging social platforms, establishing a "mindful community" to promote and continuously reinforce mindfulness. This project's primary aims are 1) to develop a "mindful" online community of people with ALS and their caregivers, and 2) to test its efficacy in QOL improvement. This two-part intervention consists of 1) optimizing the investigator's prior e-learning platform with a three-week program including cognitive exercises, videos and lectures to increase participants' mindfulness; and 2) involving participants in a "mindfulness community" within a social sharing forum. Assessments will be performed before and immediately post-treatment as well as 3- and 6-months post-program comparing subjects undergoing the intervention to a control group.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that results in progressive paralysis of the muscles involved in voluntary motor skills, speech, swallowing and breathing. It also causes non-motor symptoms including psychological, cognitive and behavioral difficulties that have a negative impact on patients' quality of life, well-being and long-term development. There is no curative therapy for ALS and drug treatments have little effect on non-motor symptoms. Interventions based on mindfulness meditation, defined as a state of consciousness that arises when one decides to focus attention in the present moment without judgment on the real experience, seem to be a promising tool for the reduction of non-motor symptoms in a number of progressive neurological conditions (Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, etc.), suggesting that mindfulness significantly helps in the management of these symptoms. Our project therefore aims to implement a mindfulness meditation program adapted to the management of non-motor symptoms in ALS based on virtual reality (VR).

About 213 people with ALS will participate in this study. There will be locations in North and South America. During the first part, participants will be randomly assigned to a group (like by flipping a coin). Out of every 3: 2 will get the study drug 1 will get a look-alike with no drug in it (placebo) During the second part, everyone will get the study drug. Participation will help doctors find out if Acthar can help or slow down the symptoms of ALS better than placebo.

The FLX-787-107 study will determine how well FLX-787-ODT works to reduce fasciculations in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The study will measure how often fasciculations occur, if tongue and muscle strength, speech, and swallowing are affected, and monitor any side effects that might develop while taking the investigational product. Participants will be assessed before and after taking a single dose of FLX-787-ODT. Approximately 15 people will take part in this study at one center in the United States. Participants will be in the study for a single clinic visit and receive a telephone call 7 days later to monitor for side effects.

A multicenter, non-randomized, open label trial, to assess long term safety and efficacy of Arimoclomol in subjects with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) who have completed the ORARIALS-01 trial.

The purpose of the study is to assess the efficacy and safety of ravulizumab for the treatment of adult participants with ALS.

ALS is is characterized by a progressive degeneration of motor neurons, leading to progressive weakness of muscles, including respiratory muscles, the diaphragm. Although specific therapy is lacking, correct respiratory therapy improves quality of life and increases survival. Substituting the failing respiratory muscles by non invasive mechanical ventilatory assistance (NIV) is the current standard of care. Intradiaphragmatic phrenic nerve stimulation is a new treatment and has been the object of a preliminary international proof-of-concept multicenter trial. This trial suggests that the intradiaphragmatic phrenic nerve stimulation slows down the rate of decline of the diaphragm. Our new hypothesis is that phrenic stimulation induces diaphragm conditioning and can delay the need for mechanical ventilation in ALS patients. We will study, during 24 months, 2 groups of 37 patients at the beginning of the respiratory dysfunction, using a intradiaphragmatic phrenic nerve stimulation in one group and a sham stimulation in the other group. Although, all the patients will be implanted, thus, at the end of the study, all the patients will receive effective stimulation.

The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of lithium combined with riluzole to riluzole combined with placebo in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

This research is being done to see if the ketogenic diet (which is high in fat and low in carbohydrates) is safe and tolerable in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients who are fed through a gastrostomy tube. This is not a study to see if ketogenic diets are effective in the treatment of ALS.