Active clinical trials for "Muscular Atrophy"

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disorder in humans which results in the loss of motor neurons. It is caused by reduced levels of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein as a result of loss or mutation of the SMN1 gene. SMN protein is encoded by two genes, SMN1 and SMN2, which essentially differ by an single nucleotide in exon 7. As a result, the majority of the transcript from SMN2 lacks exon 7. According to clinical severity, SMA was classified to three types, including type I, type II, and type III. Drugs capable of modifying the transcription pattern of SMN2 to increase the full-length of SMN mRNA expression and the amount of SMN protein may have therapeutic effects for SMA patients. In order to test this hypothesis, we used EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from the different types of SMA patients to screen the effect of various drugs on SMN2 gene expression. Hydroxyurea (HU) was found to be effective among the drugs we tested. HU is an effective therapeutic agent for patients with thalassemia and sickle cell disease which the toxicity is minimal and is well-tolerated and safely used in children. We had undergone a small-scaled 33 SMA patients randomized pilot trial (HU treatment for 8 weeks and then follow up drug-free 8 weeks) to evaluate the effect of HU in SMA patients and we got a promising preliminary data. We found that HU could significantly increase in the manual muscle testing scores at 4 weeks, and full-length SMN mRNA level in the 30mg/kg/day subgroup at 8 weeks relative to baseline, and it is safe under the dose 30mg/kg/day. In this study, we plan to enroll 60 type II and III SMA patients and conduct a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective trial of two-year duration to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HU.The primary end points are the changes in full-length SMN expression, SMN protein, motor function and lung function in SMA patients. We also design a safety monitoring system to investigate the adverse effects and to assure the patients' safety. We hope we can find and prove the efficacy and safety of HU in SMA patients and set up a evaluating model for multi-center trials in the future.

Soldiers commonly lose muscle mass during training and combat operations that produce large energy deficits (i.e., calories burned > calories consumed). Developing new combat ration products that increase energy intake (i.e., energy dense foods) or the amount and quality of protein consumed (i.e., essential amino acid [EAA] content) may prevent muscle breakdown and stimulate muscle repair and muscle maintenance during unavoidable energy deficit. The primary objective of this study is to determine the effects of prototype recovery food products that are energy dense or that provide increased amounts of EAAs (anabolic component of dietary protein) on energy balance, whole-body net protein balance, and indices of physiological status during strenuous winter military training.

The study investigates effects related to muscle protein metabolism at provision of Total Parenteral nutrition.

This is a safety and tolerability study investigating the effect of an amino acid formulation in healthy volunteers during and after limb immobilization.

We want investigate if high intensity training can increase daily functionality without causing muscle damage in patients Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy . We want to study if there is a difference in effect with supervised and unsupervised training. Furthermore we want to study if a supervised training program will motivate participants to continue training by the end of the program.

The effect of different protein intakes on skeletal muscle atrophy during short term unilateral leg immobilisation.

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) live longer than before and live to an age where metabolic disorders become highly prevalent. Due to loss of mobility and severe skeletal muscle atrophy, obesity, glucose intolerance, and peripheral insulin resistance develop soon after the onset of SCI. These abnormalities are thought to contribute to the increased diabetes disease risk and accelerated aging process in the SCI population. As a result of these trends, overall burden of complications, economic impact and reduced quality of life are increasing. Until there are effective treatments for SCI, it is imperative to develop effective interventions to mitigate metabolic disorders that develop in individuals with SCI. The proposed research project examines the impact of early utilization of a novel neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) program on skeletal muscle metabolism and overall metabolic health in individuals with sub-acute, complete SCI.

The study is a randomized, single oral dose, crossover study in up to three parts to investigate the relative bioavailability and bioequivalence of two different formulations of risdiplam 5 mg (dispersible tablets) versus the current risdiplam oral solution formulation in healthy male and female participants. The effect of food on these two dispersible tablets and the current oral solution will be studied, as well as the effect of omeprazole on the dispersible tablets.

The purpose of this study is to assess if Gtx-024 is effective in increasing lean body mass in subjects with muscle wasting related to cancer.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the physiological consequences of extreme military training and determine whether protein supplementation enhances recovery by promoting gains in lean body mass. This study will be conducted at the US Marine Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape (SERE) school at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. SERE school may be an ideal setting to assess nutritional interventions that promote recovery from severe military operational stress, and identify innate or experiential variables that may lead to increased levels of resilience in Warfighters. Our laboratory has recently demonstrated the detrimental effects and stressful nature of SERE. Heart rates and stress-related hormones increased dramatically, with concomitant reductions in circulating anabolic hormones. Additionally, SERE causes significant weight loss (15-20 lbs), which probably included lean body mass. The effects of severe operational stress induced by SERE, particularly the loss of lean mass, may degrade physical performance, increase injury risk, and compromise military readiness. Under controlled laboratory conditions, consuming high protein diets or supplemental high-quality protein promotes muscle protein retention, enhances muscle protein synthesis, and protects lean body mass in response to stress. Whether consuming supplemental protein promotes lean mass recovery and physiological resilience following a 'real-world' military stress has not been determined. Further, the level of supplemental protein necessary to optimize recovery from extreme military operational stress has not been elucidated. Up to 90 US Marines will be enrolled in a 46-day double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Using complex body composition measurements, kinetic modeling of human metabolism, blood sampling and cognitive and nutrition questionnaires, the consequences of SERE and the efficacy of protein recovery nutrition on lean mass accretion and Warfighter resilience will be assessed. We hypothesize that consuming a specially formulated, high-quality supplemental protein ration item will speed recovery of lean body mass, physiological, and psychological resilience following extreme military operational stress.