Imaging Myelin Injury in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Sponsor
- Johns Hopkins University
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- MRI Changes in ALS Patients Vs Healthy Controls
- Status
- Withdrawn
- Last Updated
- 10 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
This is a pilot study to identify the degree of grey and white matter involvement in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) utilizing non-invasive techniques. The imaging to be utilized will be the 7 Tesla (7T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. These results will be correlated to the ALS Functional Rating Scale - Revised (ALSFRS-R) score to assess if any changes in MRI can be predictive in the disability of the ALS patients at baseline and at 6 month intervals. The participants will be asked to return every 6 months for a neurological examination, ALSFRS-R assessment, measurement of the vital capacity and MRI as outlined above to monitor progression of the disease.
Investigators
Dr. Jeffrey Rothstein
Professor of Neurology
Johns Hopkins University
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Males and Females who are 18 - 80 years old.
- •The participants will meet the standard diagnostic criteria for possible or probable ALS (based on El Escorial criteria). They will have been diagnosed by a Johns Hopkins Neurologist.
- •Healthy controls will be recruited by their interest in assisting the ALS population.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Forced vital capacity less than 60 % of predicted value.
- •Documented orthopnea on ALSFRS-R or otherwise unable to lie flat in an MRI scanner for the duration of the study.
- •Presence of pacemakers, aneurysm clips, shrapnel or otherwise disallowed implanted metallic devices for obtaining an MRI scan.
- •Pregnant or lactating females
- •Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 60
- •History of: encephalitis, extensive white matter disease, intracranial hemorrhage, cerebral palsy, allergy to dye and/or IV drug abuse.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
MRI Changes in ALS Patients Vs Healthy Controls
Time Frame: 2 years
Voxel Based Morphometry will be utilized to look for any changes in the MRI results comparing ALS subjects to healthy volunteers.
Secondary Outcomes
- MRI Changes in ALS Patients(2 years)