Molde

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a serious, fast-progressing nervous system disease with an average survival of 2.5 years after diagnosis. Currently, effective treatments are limited to Riluzole. Research suggests that increasing cell access to Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) and stimulating enzymes called sirtuins may slow disease progression. This study aims to evaluate whether a combination of Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) and Pterostilbene, called EH301, can slow neurodegeneration, delay disease progression, improve survival, and enhance quality of life in ALS patients. The NO-ALS extension study follows patients who completed the original NO-ALS trial. All participants receive the active treatment EH301, which combines Nicotinamide Riboside and Pterostilbene, as an open-label extension. This study provides patients the option for compassionate use of the supplement while assessing its effects on motor symptoms, lung function, and survival. Participants will be monitored for adverse events throughout the study, which lasts up to 1 year. Researchers will track safety, progression of motor symptoms, changes in vital capacity, and overall survival. This extension allows long-term observation of EH301's impact on ALS progression and patient well-being.

Researchers are evaluating whether D-serine, a modulator of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), has therapeutic effects on Parkinson's disease (PD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial includes 100 participants diagnosed with PD within the past 5 years. The study aims to assess D-serine's impact on symptom severity using the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) and also investigates effects on brain dopamine transporter levels and cognitive function. Participants will receive both placebo and D-serine during different periods of the 58-week treatment phase. D-serine dosing begins with 2 capsules of 500 mg twice daily in the first week and increases to 4 capsules twice daily for the remaining intervention period. Participants' existing dopaminergic medications will be optimized before study start and maintained stable for the first 32 weeks; adjustments may be made after this time. Following the treatment phase, participants will stop study drugs and enter a 12-week washout period with a final study visit. Throughout the study, participants will undergo clinical evaluations including rating scales and questionnaires, cognitive testing, blood sample collection, and dopamine transporter imaging using single-photon emission tomography (DaTscan). Researchers will monitor changes in clinical symptoms, brain dopamine transporter levels, and cognition, as well as safety aspects. The total study duration for each participant includes screening, 58 weeks of treatment, and 12 weeks of follow-up after stopping study drugs.

The Surgical Outpatient Clinic at Molde Hospital has been providing specialized treatment for patients with diabetic foot ulcers since 2015. This treatment is managed by a team of experts focusing on an interdisciplinary approach. While the standard relief method currently used shows good results, the team aims to improve this treatment by testing whether using custom felt relief can shorten the treatment time. The study compares two treatments: custom felt relief and standard relief treatment. Custom felt relief involves adjusting felt specifically to the wound by cutting it in various ways and layers weekly. In contrast, standard relief treatment uses felt shaped like a letter U, placed around the wound once a week. The goal is to see if custom felt relief reduces the healing time compared to the standard method. Participants will undergo weekly treatments and monitoring to assess wound healing time, expected to range between 2 to 8 weeks. The study measures how long it takes for the wound to heal fully under each treatment. Researchers will also evaluate safety by tracking any reactions to treatment materials and other health factors. The total study period depends on the healing process but focuses on this healing timeframe.

Researchers are investigating the genetic factors that may contribute to the development of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in Norway. The study aims to better understand genetic causes relevant to ALS by analyzing gene frequencies, new ALS genes, and genetic risk factors from 2020 through 2030. Participants will provide written informed consent and complete a brief questionnaire about their family history. A blood sample will be collected for genetic analysis, which is carried out at the Department of Medical Genetics, Telemark Hospital Trust throughout the recruitment period. Participants may opt to receive their genetic results in a diagnostic setting. During the study, participants will be involved in providing clinical information, completing questionnaires, and submitting blood samples. Researchers will monitor genetic characteristics and analyze data related to gene frequency and new ALS genes over time. The study includes adults aged 16 to 100 years and involves continuous genetic analysis from 2020 to 2030.

This research aims to investigate how personalized exercise programs affect dynamic balance and physical function in adults with rare neuromuscular disorders including Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy, and Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. The study compares the effects of personalized exercise treatment against regular follow-up care. It is a national, multi-center study involving 120 participants from Norway's four health regions. Participants in the intervention group will undergo a personalized exercise program consisting of two 12-day sessions at a rehabilitation center separated by a three-month digital exercise period. The control group will receive usual care involving hospital and community health system appointments based on individual recommendations. This approach aims to evaluate physical function improvements through a structured and tailored exercise regimen. During the study, participants' dynamic balance will be assessed at the start, after four months, and, for the intervention group, also at 10 and 16 months using the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest). Researchers will also monitor physical activity levels, body composition, motor unit estimates, muscle characteristics, metabolomics, health indicators, and quality of life. The study includes long-term follow-up to measure sustained benefits and safety.

Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition often treated first with non-surgical options like exercise. Despite advances in surgical techniques, about 20% of patients who undergo total knee replacement are not satisfied with their results. This research aims to assess whether strength training before surgery can improve recovery and patient satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty. Participants will engage in a strength training program focusing on leg press exercises at about 85% of their one repetition maximum, performed three times a week for eight weeks prior to surgery. This intervention is designed to increase leg strength before the knee replacement procedure. Throughout the study, leg press strength will be measured at baseline, one week before surgery, three weeks after surgery, and twelve months post-surgery. Patient satisfaction will also be assessed between three weeks and twelve months after surgery to compare outcomes. Researchers will monitor these results to evaluate the impact of pre-surgery training on recovery and satisfaction.

Researchers are studying the effectiveness and potential complications of new immunotherapies used to treat multiple myeloma, plasma cell leukemia, and AL amyloidosis in routine care settings in Norway. The goal is to fill gaps in knowledge, support future clinical trials, and help develop guidelines for monitoring and managing side effects to improve patient survival and quality of life. This observational study focuses on patients receiving these treatments as part of regular medical care. The treatments studied include Teclistamab, Elranatamab, Talquetamab, Idecabtagene vicleucel, and Ciltacabtagene autoleucel. The study tracks how these therapies are used and dosed in real-world settings outside clinical trials. Patients receive these immunotherapies as planned by their healthcare providers, and their treatment details and outcomes are observed over time. Participants will be followed for up to ten years from the start of treatment. Researchers will gather data on overall response rates, progression-free survival, time to next treatment, and overall survival. They will also monitor the frequency and severity of adverse events, infection patterns, antibiotic resistance, and use of antimicrobial prevention methods. Data collection includes real-world clinical outcomes to better understand the long-term effects and safety of these immunotherapies.