Printer-Friendly      

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 volunteers

Disease:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS),  Familial ALS,  Sporadic ALS, Healthy Volunteer

Study Type:

Observational Study

Study Category:

Biomarkers/Imaging

Study Status:

Not enrolling

Phase:

Not Applicable

Study Chair(s)/Principal Investigator(s):

Nazem Atassi, MD MMSc (Massachusetts General Hospital)

Clinicaltrials.gov ID (11 digit #):

Neals Affiliated?

Yes

Coordinating Center Contact Information

Neurological Clinical Research Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital
Alyssa 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.

Study Sponsor:

Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center

Participant Duration:

4 total visits: 1 visit is mandatory, 3 follow up visits (a visit every 4 months for 1 year) are optional.

Estimated Enrollment:

35

Estimated Study Start Date:

09/30/2011

Estimated Study Completion Date:

11/02/2016

Posting Last Modified Date:

10/31/2015

Date Study Added to alsconsortium.org:

02/28/2012
  • Eligibility Criteria

    Gender:

    Female, Male

    Minimum Age:

    18

    Maximum Age:

    80

    Min Vital Capacity (% predicted normal):

    50

    Time since Symptom Onset:

    N/A

    Time since Diagnosis:

    N/A

    Can participants use Riluzole?

    Yes


    Exclusion Criteria
    Any contraindications to having an MRI (such as pacemaker, claustrophobia) Significant cognitive impairments
    Diagnosis of other neurodegenerative disease
    Use of anti-coagulant drugs (excluding aspirin) if volunteering for lumbar puncture
    Women who are pregnant.

  • Site Contact Information

    Neurological Clinical Research Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital
    Alyssa Murphy / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) / (617) 724-9196
    Building 149
    Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
    United States