Actively Recruiting
Impairments of Neuro-muscular Communication in Motor-Neuron Disease: A Bio-Marker for Early and Personalised Diagnosis
Led by University of Dublin, Trinity College · Updated on 2022-12-23
400
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
34 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Dublin, Trinity College
Lead Sponsor
M
Motor Neurone Disease Association, UK
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying Motor Neuron Disease (MND), also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a nervous system disorder that causes loss of movement and is eventually fatal. The study aims to find a non-invasive and cost-effective biomarker using combined EEG and EMG recordings to help with early diagnosis and tracking the disease's progression. Current diagnosis relies mostly on clinical methods, and better tools are needed to personalize care and treatment for individuals with ALS and its subtypes. Participants will undergo non-invasive recordings using 128-electrode EEG and either bipolar or high-density surface EMG placed on the scalp and arm muscles. These recordings will be made while participants rest or perform tasks designed to engage specific brain and muscle networks. The study includes groups of healthy volunteers and patients with ALS, Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS), Progressive Muscle Atrophy (PMA), Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome, and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). During the study, participants will be assessed up to two years with repeated recordings of EEG and EMG to analyze neuromuscular communication patterns. Researchers will measure specific EEG-EMG and EEG-EEG signatures to distinguish healthy individuals from different ALS patient subgroups. The goal is to develop reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease progression to improve patient care and rehabilitation.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Impairments of Neuro-muscular Communication in Motor-Neuron Disease: A Bio-Marker for Early and Personalised Diagnosis
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Healthy volunteers matched by age and gender to patient groups
- Intact physical ability to participate in the experiment
- Diagnosis of ALS, PLS, PMA, SMA, Polio, or MS
- Ability to provide informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- History of neuromuscular, neurological, or active psychiatric disease for healthy controls
- History of reaction or allergy to recording environments, equipment, or gels for healthy controls
- Presence of active psychiatric disease for patients
- Medical conditions causing severe neuropathy (e.g., poorly controlled diabetes) for patients
- History of reaction or allergy to recording environments, equipment, or gels for patients
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Duration - Baseline to final visit assessed up to 2 years after baseline
Participants undergo noninvasive recordings including 128 electrode EEG and bipolar or high-density surface electromyography (EMG) while resting or performing specific motor and cognitive tasks to assess neuromuscular communication patterns.
Multiple visits over 2 years for recordings and assessments
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Dublin, Leinster, Ireland, Dublin 2
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
O
Orla Hardiman, BSc MB BCh BAO MD FRCPI FAAN
S
Saroj Bista, MSc
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
4
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