Active clinical trials for "Motor Neuron Disease"

The purpose of this study is to determine if mexiletine is effective for the treatment of muscle cramps in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

ALS is a disorder that weakens motor strength and lung function. Rapid loss of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord of ALS patients causes the symptoms of increasing weakness and loss of muscle function. Motor neurons are responsible for sending signals to muscles in our bodies to trigger movement. While there are drugs to help relieve symptoms of ALS, there is no cure for ALS. Rasagiline is a drug with possible neuroprotective characteristics. Neuroprotective means that the nervous system may be protected against weakening. It is known that rasagiline has possible neuroprotective characteristics, but the effectiveness of rasagiline for patients with ALS has not been tested. Rasagiline is approved for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Rasagiline for treatment of ALS is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is investigational. Investigational drugs are studied to find out if they are safe and effective in the treatment of diseases or conditions. By doing this study, researchers hope to learn if rasagiline is safe and slows disease progression in patients with ALS. Funding Source - FDA OOPD (FDA Orphan Products Division).

This is a multi-center, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of autologous (self) transplantation of Neurotrophic factors-secreting Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSC-NTF, NurOwn™) in patients with ALS . MSC-NTF cells are a novel cell-therapeutic approach which is expected to effectively deliver Neurotrophic factors, which are potent survival factors for neurons, directly to the site of damage.

The primary objective is to evaluate in ALS patients the regulatory T cell early response to two low-doses of IL-2 at 1 and 2 MIU per day after one course of 5 consecutive days comparatively to placebo.

Patients with neuropathic diseases are experiencing increasing muscle weakness, loss of muscle strength and functional abilities during their illness. In healthy people, regular exercise is the best way to maintain or improve muscle strength, endurance and general health status and thereby maintain functioning abilities. Previously, patients with neuromuscular diseases were advised to avoid any kind of physical exercise. However, lately a number of studies have evaluated the effect of training in patients with neuromuscular diseases, and positive effects on the functional abilities have been found. Based on these findings we want to investigate the mechanisms leading to development of muscle atrophy and loss of functional abilities, and to explore the opportunities of reducing muscle wasting and thereby improve the course of the disease development through strength training. The main objective is to investigate the effects of strength training on slowing disease progression and reduce the decline in muscle strength and function in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In addition, the aim is to carry out detailed studies of biological processes in muscle tissue in order to unveil mechanisms leading to muscle atrophy, and to examine effects of a strength training program. The goal is to be able to incorporate strength training in the treatment program of these patients in order to maintain muscle strength and function in the individual for as long as possible. Minimum 10 patients with the disease are included in the study. Through a 12 week period the patients will participate in strength training 2-3 times per week. Muscles biopsies will be taken (i) 12 weeks before commencement of strength training program, (ii) at the beginning of training and (iii) after 12 weeks of strength training. Patients will function as their own controls. Blood samples will be collected simultaneously in order to follow the development of the strength training. Furthermore, participants will be assessed through at number of functional tests and questionnaires evaluating their strength, balance and social/ psychological status. Subjects are recruited through their association with Odense University Hospital. In the present study, the participants become part of a social network, while participating in organized training sessions, and thus have a possibility to make contact with other ALS patients in the same situation as themselves.

A Phase II, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled ascending dose titration study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of multiple ascending doses of CK-2017357 to an individual patient maximum tolerated dose (MTD), using a within-patient twice daily (BID) dose-titration regimen in ALS patients on 50 mg riluzole once daily (QD).

This project assessed muscle oxidative metabolism and fatigue in patients affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) undergoing to three months of individualized cardiovascular and strength training. Muscle oxidative metabolism and strength will be assessed by non-invasive methods, such as near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and mechanomyography (MMG). NIRS is a technique giving indications on the capacity of oxygen extraction of muscles during exercise. MMG allows analyzing the pattern of motor unit recruitment and related fatigue. The investigators will also assess the effects of training on pain tolerance and quality of life (QoL) by the Brief Pain Inventory and the McGill Quality of Life questionnaires, using the validated Italian versions. Patients will be assessed longitudinally before (time T0) and after three months of individualized training (time T1). After one month of de-training (time T2) the investigators will assess the hypothetic persistence of any treatment-related effect. The effect of three months-osteopathic treatment (osteo) on pain and QoL will be assessed as well.

This research study is being done to find out if tocilizumab, also known as Actemra™, can help with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The investigators also want to find out if tocilizumab is safe to take without causing too many side effects. Currently ALS has no cure and 2 modestly effective treatment to slow the progression of the disease. Although not the initial cause of ALS, the immune system plays a role in the death of motor neurons. The immune cells that participate in this process are stimulated by a substance called interleukin-6 (IL-6) whose effect is blocked by tocilizumab and thus, may slow the death of motor neurons and slow the disease.

The investigator is examining the use of one airway clearance medical device compared to the use of two airway clearance medical devices together in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). More specifically, the investigator wants to know how effective the use of either a mechanical High Frequency Chest Compression (HFCC) device is on its own or the use of both a mechanical High Frequency Chest Compression (HFCC) device and Cough Assist together to maintain a healthy airway and clear secretions. The first device is a passive form of mechanical High Frequency Chest Compression (HFCC), which was designed to help clear the airway of mucus and other secretions through mechanical knocking of the chest area. The second device, called a Cough Assist, aids patients to clear mucus and secretions that they would otherwise be unable to clear with coughing. This study will enroll up to 20 people in total at CSMC.

Dysphagia (swallow impairment), dystussia (cough impairment) and respiratory impairment are hallmark features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These symptoms are the cause of fatal aspiration, malnutrition and respiratory insufficiency that together account for 91.4% of ALS mortality. Unfortunately, treatments to prolong and maintain these vital functions are currently lacking. Although the use of exercise in ALS is controversial, recent evidence suggests that mild to moderate intensity exercise applied early in the disease slows disease progression, improves motor function, preserves motor neuron number, reduces muscle hypoplasia, atrophy astrogliosis, and prolongs survival in animal models of ALS and human clinical trials. This research study is designed to determine the impact of respiratory strength training on breathing, airway protection and swallowing in persons with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).