Actively Recruiting
Studying How Muscle and Brain Interact in People Over 60 With and Without Neurological Disorders
Led by Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpA · Updated on 2026-03-17
150
Participants Needed
4
Research Sites
21 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
I
Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpA
Lead Sponsor
U
University of Roma La Sapienza
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how muscle and brain interactions relate to neurodegenerative diseases NDGs such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Alzheimers Disease, and Parkinsons Disease, as well as aging. The study explores whether changes at the neuromuscular junction, where muscle and nerve communicate, contribute to these conditions. It aims to identify factors that influence brain-muscle connections and how these may predict disease progression or aging outcomes. This observational case-control study includes two groups a Good Aging group of adults aged 60 or older without muscle or neurological impairments, and a Bad Aging group with patients diagnosed with NDGs or severe acquired brain injury, some with sarcopenia or cognitive issues. Researchers will collect clinical and biological data, including biomarkers, microRNA, and extracellular vesicle analyses, to better understand the muscle-brain relationship and movement issues. Participants will undergo assessments including the Edmonton Frail Scale at the start and after six months to measure frailty changes. The study will gather neurological and muscular phenotyping data to track participants health trajectories. The study spans from baseline to a 6-month follow-up, monitoring physical and cognitive function to inform future clinical strategies for minimizing risks linked to aging and neurological disorders.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
A Muscle-brain Interplay Study in Neurological Disorders
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Subjects aged 60 years or older
- For Good Aging group: frailty index below 0.25, no general cognitive impairment (MMSE > 24), and no diagnosis of sarcopenia
- For Bad Aging group: diagnosis of one of the following: ALS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, severe acquired brain injury with sarcopenia, mild cognitive impairment or single cognitive domain deficit without established neurological diseases and sarcopenia, or sarcopenia without cognitive deficits
You will not qualify if you...
- Inability to provide informed consent
- Presence of severe or acute comorbidities such as uncontrolled diabetes, heart failure, or cancer
- Previous neurological or psychiatric disorders affecting cognition
- Uncontrolled or complicated systemic diseases or history of traumatic brain injury
- History of epilepsy for participants with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or ALS
Research Team
C
Christian Lunetta, MD
D
Davide Sattin, PsyD, PhD
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