Getting involved in a Clinical Trial

Clinical trials are the only way to develop new treatments for people with ALS. People with ALS who enroll in a clinical trial are contributing to improved health care for everyone with the disease. Even when the results of a trial are negative, we learn that much more about the disease, and how to look for more promising new treatments.

  • How do I find out about clinical trials?
    • Use the NEALS searchable database to find ALS studies at multiple locations.  Access the database here.
    • Search the clinicaltrials.gov website. This website is a central database of virtually all clinical trials in the United States, and even contains information from other countries. The site is easy to search, and will provide you detailed information about trials in ALS, to help you find trials that may be right for you. Click here for detailed information that will help you search clinicaltrials.gov.
    • Ask your doctor and ALS study team. They may be able to tell you about new trials starting in your treatment center, or nearby.
  • How do I know which trial I would qualify for, and which is right for me?

    Not every ALS trial is right for every person with ALS. Each trial listed will have information on eligibility that indicates who might be appropriate for the trial.  The eligibility information includes inclusion criteria—characteristics a participant must have—such as a specific age range, disease duration, or subtype of ALS.  Eligibility information also includes exclusion criteria—characteristics that make someone ineligible for enrollment—such as other illnesses or other drug treatments.  Other information you may want to consider are the location of trial centers, the duration of the trial, and any requirements or restrictions that affect you. These are listed in the description of the trial.

  • Will a trial prevent me from activities or other treatments I value?

    The inclusion and exclusion criteria differ for each trial. Some trials exclude people who are taking medications for other illnesses, such as hypertension or diabetes. Some trials exclude people with ALS who are taking other investigational treatments for ALS. In both cases, it would be inappropriate or dangerous to be enrolled in the trial.

    In most cases, the person with ALS will continue to receive exactly the same treatments and care as usual, and the investigational treatment will just be added on. Researchers are committed to maintaining the highest level of treatment of all people enrolled in a clinical trial.

  • How much of a commitment is participation in a clinical trial?

    Trials vary greatly in the amount of effort they require from participants.  Some trials, especially with drugs known to be safe, won’t require you to visit the trial site much more often than your normal clinical care requires.  Sometimes, trial activities can be performed over the phone.  Other trials require more frequent monitoring to maximize safety. 

    The experimental drug may be something you can take by mouth, or might be administered by injection or infusion into your bloodstream.  These differences will change both the risks of a trial and the amount of time and effort required of you.  When you discuss a trial with people performing it, they should be very clear about these issues. If you are still uncertain after a trial is described to you, keep asking questions.

  • Does it cost me anything to enter a trial?

    There should not be any cost to the participant to enroll in a clinical trial in ALS, either for the treatment itself, or for the medical examinations that are part of the trial. If you need to travel to reach the treatment center, you may have to pay for that, although many trials include funds to help participants defray these costs. The trial contact personnel can tell you more about that for each specific trial.

  • If I enter a trial, can I drop out of it before the end?

    Yes. You may always drop out at any time, for any reason. However, trials produce better information if people stay involved until the end of the trial, so you should not begin a trial unless you plan to complete it.

    If you do need to drop out, be sure to inform the doctor who is treating you before you do so. There are some drugs that are not safe to stop all at once, but should be tapered off gradually. It is also valuable to the research team to know who has dropped out, when, and why.

  • Will I learn the results of the trial, and whether or not I was on placebo?

    At the end of any trial, the results are analyzed and then made public.  Trial participants are informed of all results, as well as whether they were taking the active drug or the placebo.

  • What is informed consent, and why is it important?

    When you give “informed consent” to be involved in a trial, it means you are agreeing to participate after learning about the potential risks and benefits of your involvement, along with your rights and responsibilities. Members of the research team will explain these to you, and ask you to sign a document indicating you understand what they have said, and are giving your informed consent to be involved. Before you sign, be sure to ask as many questions as you need to fully understand the trial and your involvement in it.

  • How do I enroll in a clinical trial?

    Once you’ve identified a trial you may be interested in, read the detailed information about it on the clinicaltrials.gov site. If you have questions, talk with your doctor, or with the study personnel. If you think the study is right for you, contact the study personnel and let them know. You’ll find contact information on clinicaltrials.gov for each study that is currently recruiting new patients.