Study Purpose:
Biomarkers are essential for the identification of disease states. There are no early diagnostic or prognostic markers for ALS. The purpose of this study is to identify a panel of biomarkers from blood or spinal fluid of ALS patients and to collect data to better understand disease progression.Study Status:
Not recruiting
Disease:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Study Type:
Observational
Type of Intervention:
N/A
Intervention Name:
N/A
Placebo:
N/A
Phase:
N/A
Study Chair(s)/Principal Investigator(s):
Benjamin R Brooks, MD, Neurosciences Institute, Neurology - Charlotte
Clinicaltrials.gov ID:
Neals Affiliated?
No
Coordinating Center Contact Information
Carolinas Medical Center - Dept of Neurology
Charlotte, North Carolina, 28207 United States
Full Study Summary:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons, muscle atrophy and paralysis. There is no reliable early diagnostic test for ALS making identification of the disease difficult at its earliest stages. Early detection is critical to the initiation of early neuroprotective therapy. By the time a reliable diagnosis can be made, substantial damage to motor neurons and muscle has already occurred. The purpose of the current project is to establish a bank of blood samples (serum and protein/RNA/DNA from blood cells) and CSF for use in the development of an early diagnostic test for ALS and to better understand the progression of this disease.
Samples from patients that have a confirmed or unknown diagnosis of motor neuron disease will be examined. ALS and suspected neuromuscular disease (control) samples will be collected for comparison. Investigators will examine various biochemical, metabolic and genetic markers from these samples in hopes of finding differences in the expression between control subjects and ALS patients and how these biomarkers vary during disease progression. Participants will be asked to complete an optional questionnaire to collect data including medication and vitamin use and medical and disease history. This data will be linked to the patient's samples; however, all samples will be deidentified and coded to avoid the possibility of linking results to the patient. Results will not be stored in the patient's medical record.
Samples from patients that have a confirmed or unknown diagnosis of motor neuron disease will be examined. ALS and suspected neuromuscular disease (control) samples will be collected for comparison. Investigators will examine various biochemical, metabolic and genetic markers from these samples in hopes of finding differences in the expression between control subjects and ALS patients and how these biomarkers vary during disease progression. Participants will be asked to complete an optional questionnaire to collect data including medication and vitamin use and medical and disease history. This data will be linked to the patient's samples; however, all samples will be deidentified and coded to avoid the possibility of linking results to the patient. Results will not be stored in the patient's medical record.
Study Sponsor:
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Estimated Enrollment:
766
Estimated Study Start Date:
03 / 29 / 2004
Estimated Study Completion Date:
10 / 29 / 2020
Posting Last Modified Date:
07 / 11 / 2022
Date Study Added to neals.org:
09 / 26 / 2013
The recruitment status of this study is unknown. The completion date has passed and the status has not been verified in more than two years. For more information, visit: https://clinicalt...CT01950910&rank=1
Minimum Age:
18 Years
Maximum Age:
N/A
Inclusion Criteria:- 18 years old or older
Exclusion Criteria:
- less than 18 years old
Neurosciences Institute, Neurology - Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
28207
United States