Ultrasonography in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis as a Predictor of Disease Progression and Tool in Diagnosis: a Pilot Study

Duke University1 site in 1 country40 target enrollmentFebruary 2013

ConditionsALS

Overview

Phase: Not Applicable
Intervention: Not specified
Conditions: ALS
Sponsor: Duke University
Enrollment: 40
Locations: 1
Primary Endpoint: Abnormalities at onset: Ultrasound vs. Electromyography
Status: Completed
Last Updated: 11 years ago

Overview Investigators Eligibility Criteria Outcomes Sites Similar Trials

Overview

Brief Summary

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons. Early diagnosis is essential for the success of clinical trials and objective biomarkers are needed for monitoring disease progression. Nerve and muscle ultrasound may provide this information.

This study will collect pilot data to evaluate the value of muscle and nerve ultrasound to identify and monitor disease progression in ALS.

Registry

clinicaltrials.gov

Start Date

February 2013

End Date

March 2015

Last Updated

11 years ago

Study Type

Observational

Sex

All

Investigators

Sponsor

Duke University

Responsible Party

Sponsor

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

•Subjects referred to the electromyography laboratory for ALS.

Exclusion Criteria

•Patients with known comorbid myopathy or neuropathy will be excluded from the study.
•Patients unable to provide their own consent will be excluded.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Abnormalities at onset: Ultrasound vs. Electromyography

Time Frame: 1 year

Ultrasound measures will be compared to electromyography measures at the patient's initial assessment. The number of abnormal muscles will be counted using each technique and analyzed to determine if one test is superior.