Melpida: Recombinant Adeno-associated Virus (Serotype 9) Encoding a Codon Optimized Human AP4M1...
SpasticityMuscle5 moreMELPIDA is proposed for the treatment of subjects with SPG50 and targets neuronal cells to deliver a fully functional human AP4M1 cDNA copy via intrathecal injection to counter the associated neuronal loss. Outcomes will evaluate the safety and tolerability of a single dose of MELPIDA, which will be measured by the treatment-associated adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs). Secondarily, the trial will explore efficacy in terms of disease burden assessments.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for Spasticity in People With Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord InjuriesSpasticity6 morePeople with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience a host of secondary complications that can impact their quality of life and functional independence. One of the more prevalent complications is spasticity, which occurs in response to spinal cord damage and the resulting disruption of motor pathways. Common symptoms include spasms and stiffness, and can occur more than once per hour in many people with SCI. Spasticity can have a negative impact over many quality of life domains, including loss of functional independence, activity limitations, and even employment. Its impact on health domains is also pronounced, with many people who have spasticity reporting mood disorders, depression, pain, sleep disturbances, and contractures. Spasticity can interfere with post-injury rehabilitation and lead to hospitalization. There are many treatments for spasticity in this population. However, many do not have long-term efficacy, and, if they do, they are often pharmacological in nature and carry side effects that could limit function or affect health. The goal of this pilot, randomized-controlled study is to investigate the potential efficacy and safety of a non-invasive treatment with a low side effect profile, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). ESWT has shown some benefits in people with post-stroke spasticity with no long term side effects. Thirty individuals with chronic, traumatic SCI will be recruited. Fifteen will be provided with ESWT while the other fifteen will be given a sham treatment. Clinical and self-report measures of spasticity and its impact on quality of life will be collected, as well as quantitative ultrasound measures of muscle architecture and stiffness. The ultimate goal of this pilot project is to collect the data necessary to apply for a larger randomized-controlled trial. Conducting a larger trial will allow for a more powerful estimation of safety and efficacy of ESWT as a treatment for spasticity in people with SCI.
Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy for Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias Patients
Motor FunctionGaitIt's a single-center, prospective, open label clinical study with a 12 months follow-up period, to investigate the therapeutic effect and safety of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on motor function and gait in patients with pure Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias.
Paraplegia Prevention in Aortic Aneurysm Repair by Thoracoabdominal Staging
Aortic AneurysmThoracoabdominalAortic aneurysms represent the most common and dangerous aortic diseases. Although conventional aortic repair techniques cure the disease, there is a high risk of paraplegia particularly in extensive thoracoabdominal aneurysms due to impaired blood supply to the spinal cord. The PAPA-ARTiS trial will assess the clinical safety and efficacy of the MISACE (Minimally-Invasive Segmental Artery Coil-Embolization) procedure, a novel therapeutic concept to reduce the risk of paraplegia due to aneurysm repair. The study investigates the MISACE procedure as a potential pre-treatment prior to open or endovascular aneurysm repair in patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. Patients will be randomized to one of the two treatment strategies: a) aneurysm repair without MISACE pre-treatment, or b) aneurysm repair with MISACE pre-treatment.
Transspinal Stimulation Plus Locomotor Training for SCI
Spinal Cord InjuriesParaplegia4 moreLocomotor training is often used with the aim to improve corticospinal function and walking ability in individuals with Spinal Cord Injury. Excitingly, the benefits of locomotor training may be augmented by noninvasive electrical stimulation of the spinal cord and enhance motor recovery at SCI. This study will compare the effects of priming locomotor training with high-frequency noninvasive thoracolumbar spinal stimulation. In people with motor-incomplete SCI, a series of clinical and electrical tests of brain and spinal cord function will be performed before and after 40 sessions of locomotor training where spinal stimulation is delivered immediately before either lying down or during standing.
PCSK9 Inhibitor Treatment for Patients With SPG5
Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia Type 5Spastic paraplegia type 5 (SPG5) is a rare subtype of hereditary spastic paraplegia, a highly heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders defined by progressive neurodegeneration of the corticospinal tract motor neurons. SPG5 is caused by recessive mutations in the gene CYP7B1 encoding oxysterol-7a-hydroxylase. This enzyme is involved in the degradation of cholesterol into primary bile acids. CYP7B1 deficiency has been shown to lead to accumulation of neurotoxic oxysterols. Oxysterols were found to impair metabolic activity and viability of human cortical neurons at concentrations found in SPG5 patients, indicating that elevated levels of oxysterols might be key pathogenic factors in SPG5. Monoclonal antibodies that inhibit proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) have emerged as a new class of drugs that effectively lower cholesterol levels. Evolocumab, a member of this class, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that reduces LDL cholesterol levels by approximately 60%. We thus performed this interventional trial with Evolocumab 420 mg for SPG5 patients.
A Neuroprosthesis for Seated Posture and Balance
Spinal Cord InjuryParalysis2 moreThe purpose of this study is to evaluate a surgically implanted functional electrical stimulation (FES) system to facilitate stability of the trunk and hips. FES involves applying small electric currents to the nerves, which cause the muscles to contract. This study evaluates how stabilizing and stiffening the trunk with FES can change the way spinal cord injured volunteers sit, breathe, reach, push a wheelchair, or roll in bed.
Epidural Stimulation After Neurologic Damage
Spinal Cord InjuriesParaplegia1 moreThis study will evaluate a method to optimize parameter settings in epidural spinal cord stimulation used to recover lower extremity volitional movement. The study will also characterize improvement in autonomic function (such as blood pressure control) and other functions related to spinal cord injury.
Spinal Cord Injury Exercise and Nutrition Conceptual Engagement
Spinal Cord InjuriesMetabolic Syndrome3 moreEvaluate and compare the health benefits of an at home exercise program using functional electrical stimulation (FES) for lower extremity exercise with diet versus a diet alone group in adults with spinal cord injury.
High-intensity Interval Training for Cardiometabolic Health in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury
ParaplegiaPersons with chronic paraplegia at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes compared to the able-bodied population. There is mounting evidence from the able-bodied literature that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an effective way to improve cardiometabolic health outcomes, but this effect has yet to be investigated in persons with chronic paraplegia. This study is recruiting adults (aged 18-65 years) with paraplegia (T2 or below) who sustained their spinal cord injury more than one-year ago. Participants will need to attend the laboratory at the University of Bath on two occasions (baseline and follow-up testing) separated by eight weeks. Following the first visit, participants will be randomised to a exercise group or control group. For those in the exercise group, participants will be provided with an arm crank ergometer for use in their home, and be asked to perform four exercise sessions per week (30 min each) for six weeks. For those in the control group, participants will be asked to continue their normal lifestyle.