RECRUITINGOBSERVATIONAL

Investigating Complex Neurodegenerative Disorders Related to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia

About This Trial

Background: Neurodegenerative disorders can lead to problems in movement or memory. Some can cause abnormal proteins to build up in brain cells. Researchers want to understand whether these diseases have related causes or risk factors. Objective: To test people with movement or thinking and memory problems to see if they are eligible for research studies. Eligibility: People ages 18 and older with a neurodegenerative disorder associated with accumulation of TDP-43 or Tau proteins Design: Participants will have a screening visit. This may take place over 2-3 days. Tests include: Medical history Physical exam Questions about behavior and mood Tests of memory, attention, concentration, and thinking Movement measurement. The speed at which participants can stand up from a chair, tap their finger and foot, and walk a short distance will be measured. Some movements will be videotaped. They will be videotaped while they speak and read a paragraph. Blood tests. This might include genetic testing. Lung and breathing tests MRI. They will lie on a table that slides into a cylinder that takes pictures of the body. Some participants will get a dye through IV. Electromyography. A thin needle will be inserted into the muscles to measure electrical signals. Nerve tests. Small electrodes on the skin record muscle and nerve activity. A small piece of skin may be removed. A skin or blood sample may be taken to create stem cells. Optional lumbar puncture. A needle will be inserted into the space between the bones of the back to collect fluid. If participants are not eligible for current studies, they may be contacted in the future. ...

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

* Who May Qualify: Patients will be included if they - Are age 18 or older - Have been given a diagnosis by a neurologist of frontotemporal dementia, primary progressive aphasia, semantic dementia, motor neuron disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressive bulbar palsy, corticobasal syndrome, Huntington disease or other related adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder OR - Carry a mutation in a gene that causes familial ALS or FTD Who Should NOT Join This Trial: Patients will be excluded if they - Have other major neurological or medical diseases that may cause progressive weakness or cognitive dysfunction, such as structural brain or spinal cord disease, metabolic diseases, paraneoplastic syndromes, infectious diseases, peripheral neuropathy or radiculopathy or other significant neurological abnormalities. - Have an unstable medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigators, makes participation unsafe - Require daytime ventilator support at the time of study entry - Are unable to travel to NIH - Patients with pacemakers or other implanted electrical devices, brain stimulators, dental implants, aneurysm clips (metal clips on the wall of a large artery), metallic prostheses (including metal pins and rods, heart valves, and cochlear implants), permanent eyeliner, implanted delivery pumps, or shrapnel fragments, metal fragments in the eye) will not be excluded but will not undergo magnetic resonance imaging. - Patients with tattoos above the neck or permanent make up will be excluded from undergoing 7T MRI. Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language

* INCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients will be included if they * Are age 18 or older * Have been given a diagnosis by a neurologist of frontotemporal dementia, primary progressive aphasia, semantic dementia, motor neuron disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressive bulbar palsy, corticobasal syndrome, Huntington disease or other related adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder OR * Carry a mutation in a gene that causes familial ALS or FTD EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients will be excluded if they * Have other major neurological or medical diseases that may cause progressive weakness or cognitive dysfunction, such as structural brain or spinal cord disease, metabolic diseases, paraneoplastic syndromes, infectious diseases, peripheral neuropathy or radiculopathy or other significant neurological abnormalities. * Have an unstable medical condition that, in the opinion of the investigators, makes participation unsafe * Require daytime ventilator support at the time of study entry * Are unable to travel to NIH * Patients with pacemakers or other implanted electrical devices, brain stimulators, dental implants, aneurysm clips (metal clips on the wall of a large artery), metallic prostheses (including metal pins and rods, heart valves, and cochlear implants), permanent eyeliner, implanted delivery pumps, or shrapnel fragments, metal fragments in the eye) will not be excluded but will not undergo magnetic resonance imaging. * Patients with tattoos above the neck or permanent make up will be excluded from undergoing 7T MRI.

Locations (1)

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

Bethesda, Maryland, United States