Active clinical trials for "Muscular Diseases"

The purpose of this study is to improve spasticity diagnosis through exploration of potential new diagnostic markers for spasticity that can assist in diagnosis and referral.

Cheeks appearance is a screening tool developed based on cheeks observation to identify volume, flaccidity or both to predict people with probable obstructive sleep apnea.

Serum creatinine kinase (CK) level varies with age, gender, race and physical activity. For these reasons there is no normal serum CK level. Many pathological situations cause hyperCKemia, such as neuromuscular disorders (muscular dystrophy, inflammatory myositis, mitochondrial myopathy) and multiple systemic causes. The diagnostic approach to pauci or asymtomatic hyperCKemia can therefore be difficult and lead to multiple, and sometimes invasive tests, such as muscle biopsy. This study aims to describe the diagnoses associated with persistent elevation of serum creatine kinase and to precise the role of the muscule biopsy.

This study will define the major genetic risk and protective factors for idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), a group of immune disorders affecting connective tissues such as muscles. It will also identify new environmental risk factors for IIM and identify immune responses in myositis and related diseases. There are many forms of IIMs, and the causes of these diseases are unknown. However, scientists suspect that they result when people with some genetic factors that predispose them-that is, put them at greater risk-are exposed to certain environmental triggers. Some of those triggers include food, drugs, biologics (such as a vaccine to prevent disease), medical devices and occupational exposures. Patients, including children under 18, who had a diagnosis of myositis, a related autoimmune disease, or a rheumatic disease, as well as their blood relatives, and control subjects who were in good health have already been recruited for this study. The evaluation consisted of one outpatient visit to the patient's doctor, who will obtain a medical history and conduct a physician examination. Patients spent 20 to 30 minutes to answer written questions. There was a blood collection of about 6 tablespoons. If there was a major change in patients' medical conditions, they were asked to return for a second outpatient evaluation to determine whether any of the blood tests or antibodies, which show an immune response, had changed. Blood samples collected will be used only for laboratory research studies. The samples have been identified by a code, and all other identifying information have been removed. During the study, researchers will explore possible environmental risk factors, including studies of infectious and non-infectious agents. They will analyze the blood for genetic markers and test for certain antibodies. Laboratory results will be evaluated as they relate to the signs, symptoms, and severity of patients' illnesses. That would help researchers to better understand patterns of the diseases and the outcomes for patients. This study will not have a direct benefit for patients. However, results from the study can be made available to patients' doctors for use in appropriate care. Also, it is hoped that information gained can help other people in the future. ...

The purposes of this study are to identify gene mutations in patients with the muscle diseases phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency, acid maltase deficiency (GAA deficiency) and to learn more about how these diseases develop. PFK deficiency is a mild, exercise-related illness. The childhood form of GAA deficiency (Pompe disease) affects the heart and liver and is rapidly fatal. The adult form begins in midlife and involves degeneration of skeletal muscles, leading to weakness and muscle wasting. The following groups of individuals may be eligible for this study: Group A: Patients with PFK deficiency, acid maltase deficiency, and relatives who also are affected. Participants in this group will undergo a brief medical and family history, blood sample collection, and possibly a physical examination, review of medical records, and interview with the patient's physician. Group B: Unaffected family members of patients in group A, including both blood relatives and spouses. People in this group may be asked to provide a history and genetic information. A review of medical records, interview with the individual's physician, and blood sample may also be requested. Group C: Control subjects. This group will provide a small blood sample or buccal mucosal sample (tissue sample collected by brushing the inside of the cheek). The samples will be coded and the investigators will not know the participants' identities. DNA from these samples will be analyzed for frequency of gene mutations. Genetic counseling will be arranged for patients, as appropriate.

X-Linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM), a form of centronuclear myopathy (CNM) is the result of a mutation in the MTM1 (myotubularin) gene which leads to altered myotubularin. Myotubularin is essential for optimum muscle function. To date, over 100 mutations have been described resulting in a range of disease onset and symptom severity. The early onset form presents with neonatal hypotonia, muscle weakness, respiratory distress and an ongoing requirement for continuous ventilatory support with the inability to maintain a sitting position once placed. Males with both later onset and milder symptoms usually do not require ongoing ventilatory support, achieve a higher maximal motor function with ability to sit when placed and even walk, and have improved survival rates. Males with XLMTM may experience complications (events) at birth and throughout their lifetime. The goal of the study is to identify the number of events over twelve months in males with genetically confirmed XLMTM. Parents or affected individuals over the age of 18 years who are able to access telephone will provide answers to an established event survey to evaluate the frequency and types of events. Emergency department, hospital admissions and mortality will be confirmed by obtaining medical reports. The investigators hypothesize that there will be no association between the frequency of events and markers of clinical severity including the need for ventilatory support at birth, current level of ventilatory support (no support, support less than 12 hours, support more than 12 hours) and current motor function (walking, sitting without support, inability to sit without support).

Background: - A mutation in a gene known as ISCU was found to be the cause of a rare myopathy that affects the muscles. Researchers collected clinical samples from people with this myopathy. More research is being done to develop a therapy for this disease. Researchers are asking for permission to study the samples already collected. Objectives: - To allow researchers to use clinical samples collected to study new treatments for ISCU myopathy. Eligibility: - People with ISCU myopathy who have provided clinical samples for study. Design: Participants will allow researchers to study clinical samples already collected. Blood, urine, muscle, and cell samples may be used. Medical records and photographs may also be studied. Treatment will not be provided as part of this study.

This study aims to refine the capability of Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) and Magnet Resonance Imaging (MRI) to characterise the molecular composition of muscle tissue non-invasively and to evaluate the therapeutic response in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) over time.

The purpose of this study is to test the reliability of using telemedicine so a neurologist can remotely identify residents of a long-term care facility who should be referred to a neurologist for an in-person spasticity consultation.

Intensive care unit (ICU) admission is associated with muscle weakness and ICU survivors report persevering limitation of physical capacity for years after discharge. Limited information is available about the underlying biomechanical properties responsible for this muscle function impairment.