Study of Brain Connectivity in Adults with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Pseudobulbar Affect Using MRI and Magnetoencephalography

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the brain connections in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ALS, focusing on those who also experience pseudobulbar affect PBA. This study aims to understand differences in brain structure and function using advanced imaging techniques. The research includes healthy controls and ALS patients both with and without PBA to compare these groups. Participants will undergo two non-invasive brain imaging procedures diffusion kurtosis imaging DKI, an MRI method that captures detailed diffusion signals in brain tissue, and resting state magnetoencephalography MEG, which records brain activity. Healthy controls will have only baseline imaging, while ALS patients may be assessed at baseline and again after six months to track changes over time. During the study, participants will have brain imaging at the start and possibly at six months later. Researchers will measure mean kurtosis and spectral connectivity to analyze brain structure and function. The study is non-randomized and does not involve any treatment. Participants will be monitored for their ability to complete surveys and cooperate, and safety will be ensured by following guidelines for MRI and MEG scans.

Structural and Functional Networks in ALS: An Insight Into Pseudobulbar Affect