Active clinical trials for "Motor Neuron Disease"

To examine the clinical efficacy and safety of ultra-high dose (50mg, im, twice a week) methylcobalamin in retarding the progression of symptoms in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, we enroll ALS patients diagnosed by revised-Awaji-El Escorial criteria within 12 months after the clinical onset. First they are followed for 12 weeks with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised(ALSFRS-R) scores, and only those who exhibit drops of 1-2 points are allowed to enter into the test period. A total of 128 patients are randomized and the half having placebo. They are blindly evaluated for drops of ALSFRS-R in 16 weeks, as the primary outcome. After this, all subjects receive methylcobalamin.

Study the cervical spinal cord and brain over time to assess changes and differences in subjects with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The principal goal is to demonstrate that a specific pattern of microRNA (miRNA) expression can be correlated with the definite diagnostic of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The investigators will use biological sample (from muscle biopsy, Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) and blood sample) collected in three control populations: definite ALS patients according to El Escorial diagnostic criterion, control patients without any neurological disease having an orthopedic surgery for shoulder disease, and control patient explored for peripheral neuropathy and myopathy. A second goal will correlate the miRNA pattern to the severity and/or progression rate of the motor neurons define as the progression rate of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS) score/year.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is an adult neurodegenerative disease that is caused by a selective degeneration of the motor nerve cells in the cortex and myelon. As a result of motor neurodegeneration, a progredient paralysis of the extremities and of the speaking, swallowing, and breathing musculature develops. ALS leads to death by respiratory insufficiency in a mean course of 3-5 years. So far, Riluzole is the only approved neuroprotective medication which effects a slight lifespan prolongation of 1.5 - 2.5 months. Riluzole inhibits the presynaptic glutamate release and lowers the level of glutamate liberated by activated microglia. The researchers propose an investigational therapy of ALS with subcutaneous administration of 100 mg of Anakinra. The neuronal inflammation is a crucial pathogenetic factor of the motor neuron degeneration. Inflammatory processes are detectable in sporadic ALS, in the autosomal-dominant form of ALS and in transgenic mouse model. The rationale of this clinical trial is based on the anti-inflammatory effect of Anakinra. One of the key mediators of inflammatory response is Interleukin-1. Anakinra is a recombinant produced Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. This gives Anakinra anti-inflammatory attributes that presumably reduce motor neuron degeneration and disease progression.

This study will examine the effectiveness of Cistanche Total Glycosides(CTG) in treating patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - a fatal neurological degenerative disease that causes adult-onset, progressive motor neurons loss in the spinal cord, brain stem and motor cortex. Patients develop progressive wasting and weakness of both upper and lower limbs, bulbar and respiratory muscles. Usually death from respiratory failure typically is within 3-5 years of diagnosis. Although there are various treatments for ALS, riluzole is the only approved treatment to delay the disease progression. Cistanche Total Glycosides is an approved drug that has protective effects. It acts anti-apoptosis by activating several protective pathways, stimulates neuronal differentiation of adult neural stem cells in the brain, and improves long-term recovery. CTG is a highly attractive candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions such as ALS. Patients 18 to 65 years of age who have had mild to moderately severe ALS for 0.5 to 2 years of duration may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and possible review of medical records, physical examination, blood test, urine and stool analyses, electrocardiogram, electrophysiological examination, neurological imaging and, for women, a pregnancy test. Participants will have drug therapy according to randomized number. One group receives CTG while other group receives placebo. For the procedure, patients are given a medication to lessen anxiety and any discomfort. Patients receive drugs for 9 months. The CTG dosage is 1.8g/day. Physical examination and interview, Appel ALS scale and ALS-Functional Rating Scale will be done in 28 days and 3, 6, 9months. Electrophysiological examination will be tested per 3 months. Blood samples will be collected on treat28 days and 3, 6, 9months.

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Ranolazine, and how well it is tolerated in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Ranolazine is an FDA approved drug that is used for decreasing chest pain.

The study aims to evaluate primarily safety of two injections of autologous mesenchymal stem cells in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis patients. Secondary outcomes of efficacy will also be evaluated

This study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 2a trial to study the biological activity, safety, and tolerability of regulatory T Lymphocytes (Tregs) taken and expanded outside of the body and returned back to the same person whose Treg were removed, given back by IV (intravenously) and in combination with low-dose IL-2 in people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety of L-Serine in subjects with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at varied doses.

This study will examine whether fasudil is effective and safe in treating patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).