Novel MRI Biomarkers for Monitoring Disease Progression in ALS

Description

Routine MRI is normal in motor neuron diseases such as ALS. However, advanced MRI techniques can provide an objective measure of degeneration (a "biomarker") by examining brain structure, wiring, chemistry, and function. We will develop and evaluate novel MRI techniques that could improve our understanding of ALS and provide a means to diagnose it sooner and monitor its progression. Importantly, we expect these techniques to improve how new drugs are tested, which may lead to the more rapid discovery of a treatment for ALS. Each participant will have 3 MRI scans over a period of 8 months, along with neurological and cognitive evaluations. Study visits will take 2 - 3 hours. MRI is a safe technique that does not involve radiation.

Conditions

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Motor Neuron Disease

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

Routine MRI is normal in motor neuron diseases such as ALS. However, advanced MRI techniques can provide an objective measure of degeneration (a "biomarker") by examining brain structure, wiring, chemistry, and function. We will develop and evaluate novel MRI techniques that could improve our understanding of ALS and provide a means to diagnose it sooner and monitor its progression. Importantly, we expect these techniques to improve how new drugs are tested, which may lead to the more rapid discovery of a treatment for ALS. Each participant will have 3 MRI scans over a period of 8 months, along with neurological and cognitive evaluations. Study visits will take 2 - 3 hours. MRI is a safe technique that does not involve radiation.

Novel MRI Biomarkers for Monitoring Disease Progression in ALS

Novel MRI Biomarkers for Monitoring Disease Progression in ALS

Condition
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Miami

University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States,

Salt Lake City

University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84108

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Patients with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis as described in Study Populations
  • * For those with a diagnosis of ALS, patients will be considered with an El Escorial classification of suspected, possible, probable, probable lab-supported, and definite ALS.
  • * Patients 18 years of age or older
  • * Healthy controls over the age of 40.
  • * Be able to lie in an MRI machine for approximately 60 minutes
  • * Subjects with psychiatric/CNS illnesses such as Major Depressive Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Bipolar disorder.
  • * Subjects with significant head injury or other neurological disease (stroke, brain tumour).
  • * Subjects ineligible for MRI investigation due to a pacemaker or other metallic foreign body.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Alberta,

Sanjay Kalra, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, FRCPC

Study Record Dates

2024-12-31