Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Study Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to measure neurotransmitter levels in the brain and cerebral spinal fluid as well as detect structural changes in the spinal cord of people with ALS compared to healthy volunteersDisease:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Familial ALS, Sporadic ALS, Healthy VolunteerStudy Type:
Observational StudyStudy Category:
Biomarkers/ImagingStudy Status:
Not enrollingPhase:
Not ApplicableStudy Chair(s)/Principal Investigator(s):
Nazem Atassi, MD MMSc (Massachusetts General Hospital)Clinicaltrials.gov ID (11 digit #):
Neals Affiliated?
YesCoordinating Center Contact Information
Neurological Clinical Research Institute at Massachusetts General HospitalAlyssa Murphy / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) / (617) 724-9196
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Building 149
13th St
Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129 United States
Full Study Summary:
We are doing this study to learn more about the role of a chemical called "glutamate" in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig™s disease. It is known that nerve cells called "motor neurons" die in the brains and spinal cords of people with ALS. However, the cause of the cell death is unknown. Researchers think that increased levels of glutamate may be related to the disease progression.Levels of glutamate and other related chemicals can be measured in the brain using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). During this study, we will compare the levels of these chemicals in the brain, blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between people with ALS and people without ALS in order to better understand why ALS happens. This information may be very valuable for future development of new treatments for ALS.