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RECRUITINGOBSERVATIONAL

Intermuscular Coherence as a Biomarker for ALS

Intermuscular Coherence: A Biomarker for Early Diagnosis and Follow-up of ALS

Important: This information is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.

About This Trial

The specific aims of this study are to: 1. Determine if a painless and quick measurement of muscle activity using surface electrodes can help with the diagnosis of ALS. Specifically, we ask if a measure of intermuscular coherence (IMC-βγ), when added to current diagnostic criteria (Awaji criteria), can differentiate ALS from mimic diseases more accurately and earlier than currently possible. 2. Characterize IMC-βγ in neurotypical subjects by age, sex, race, and ethnicity. 3. Follow a cohort of ALS patients longitudinally to determine if IMC-βγ changes with ALS disease progression and whether such changes correlate with functional and clinical scores, or survival.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - AIM 1: Patients with arm or leg weakness, spastic gait, muscle wasting and/or fasciculations (muscle twitching), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), dysarthria (difficulty speaking), shortness of breath, hyperreflexia or pathological reflexes, or findings of muscle denervation in previous needle electromyography (EMG) studies. - AIM 2: Subjects between 20 and 90 years of age. - AIM 3: Subjects will be selected from among Aim 1 patients who carry an Awaji (without IMC) category of Possible, Probable, or Definite ALS. Who Should NOT Join This Trial: - AIM 1: 1. Classified as probable or definite ALS by Awaji criteria prior to initial study evaluation 2. Have significant sensory loss in the weak or spastic limbs 3. Have significant musculoskeletal or neuropathic pain 4. Have an inability or are unwilling to provide willing to sign a consent form 5. Are unable to perform the study-related task 6. Are taking baclofen or benzodiazepines 7. Have a known non-ALS cause for symptoms - AIM 2: 1. Have a history of neurological disorders such as stroke, neuropathy, or myopathy 2. Have significant pain or sensory loss 3. Are taking baclofen or sedatives such as benzodiazepines 4. Lack of cognitive ability or willingness to provide willing to sign a consent form - AIM 3: 1. Were unclassified according to the Awaji category or had a defined ALS mimic 2. Are taking baclofen, sedatives or benzodiazepines. NOTE: Participation in a therapeutic clinical trial is NOT an exclusion criterion since this study would not interfere with any potential interventions. Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language
Inclusion Criteria: * AIM 1: Patients with arm or leg weakness, spastic gait, muscle wasting and/or fasciculations (muscle twitching), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), dysarthria (difficulty speaking), shortness of breath, hyperreflexia or pathological reflexes, or findings of muscle denervation in previous needle electromyography (EMG) studies. * AIM 2: Subjects between 20 and 90 years of age. * AIM 3: Subjects will be selected from among Aim 1 patients who carry an Awaji (without IMC) category of Possible, Probable, or Definite ALS. Exclusion Criteria: * AIM 1: 1. Classified as probable or definite ALS by Awaji criteria prior to initial study evaluation 2. Have significant sensory loss in the weak or spastic limbs 3. Have significant musculoskeletal or neuropathic pain 4. Have an inability or are unwilling to provide informed consent 5. Are unable to perform the study-related task 6. Are taking baclofen or benzodiazepines 7. Have a known non-ALS cause for symptoms * AIM 2: 1. Have a history of neurological disorders such as stroke, neuropathy, or myopathy 2. Have significant pain or sensory loss 3. Are taking baclofen or sedatives such as benzodiazepines 4. Lack of cognitive ability or willingness to provide informed consent * AIM 3: 1. Were unclassified according to the Awaji category or had a defined ALS mimic 2. Are taking baclofen, sedatives or benzodiazepines. NOTE: Participation in a therapeutic clinical trial is NOT an exclusion criterion since this study would not interfere with any potential interventions.

Locations (4)

University of California Center for Clinical Research
Irvine, California, United States
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Miami, Florida, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Washington University Medical Center
St Louis, Missouri, United States