Novel MRI Biomarkers for Monitoring Disease Progression in ALS
Running, not enrolling
Conditions studied: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Motor Neuron Disease
In brief
Routine MRI is normal in motor neuron diseases such as ALS. However, advanced MRI techniques can provide an objective measure of degeneration (a "biomarker") by examining brain structure, wiring, chemistry, and function. We will develop and evaluate novel MRI techniques that could improve our understanding of ALS and provide a means to diagnose it sooner and monitor its progression. Importantly, we expect these techniques to improve how new drugs are tested, which may lead to the more rapid discovery of a treatment for ALS. Each participant will have 3 MRI scans over a period of 8 months, along with neurological and cognitive evaluations. Study visits will take 2 - 3 hours. MRI is a safe technique that does not involve radiation.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT03362658
- Run by
- University of Alberta
- People needed
- 119
- Starts
- 2016-10-01
- Expected to finish
- 2026-12-31
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-05-08
Who can join
Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Patients with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis as described in Study Populations
- For those with a diagnosis of ALS, patients will be considered with an El Escorial classification of suspected, possible, probable, probable lab-supported, and definite ALS.
- Patients 18 years of age or older
- Healthy controls over the age of 40.
- Be able to lie in an MRI machine for approximately 60 minutes
You may not qualify if…
- Subjects with psychiatric/CNS illnesses such as Major Depressive Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Bipolar disorder.
- Subjects with significant head injury or other neurological disease (stroke, brain tumour).
- Subjects ineligible for MRI investigation due to a pacemaker or other metallic foreign body.
Where it is running
- University of Miami — Miami, Florida, United States
- University of Utah — Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
- University of Calgary / Heritage Medical Research Clinic — Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- University of Alberta — Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- University of Toronto / Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre — Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- McGill University / Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital — Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Laval University — Québec, Quebec, Canada
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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