Nuclear Magnetic Spectroscopy Imaging to Evaluate Primary Lateral Sclerosis, Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

This study will use a magnetic resonance imaging technique called nuclear magnetic spectroscopy (H-MRS) to define the pathology and progression of primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and assess the usefulness of this technique in evaluating patients' response to therapy. H-MRS will be used to examine metabolic changes in the parts of the brain and spinal cord (motor cortex and corticospinal tract) involved in movement.

Normal volunteers and patients with primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis between 21 and 65 years of age may be eligible for this study. Participants will have up to five H-MRS studies, including baseline and follow-up tests. For this procedure, the subject lies on a stretcher that is moved into a strong magnetic field. Earplugs are worn to muffle the loud knocking noise that occurs during switching of radio frequencies. The subject will be asked to lie still during each scan, for 1 to 8 minutes at a time. Total scanning time varies from 20 minutes to 2 hours, with most examinations lasting between 45 and 90 minutes. Communication with the medical staff is possible at all times during the scan.

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Key information

Conditions

Primary Lateral Sclerosis Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Central Nervous System Diseases Congenital Abnormalities Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Genetic Diseases, Inborn Hereditary Sensory and Motor Neuropathy Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia Heredodegenerative Disorders, Nervous System Metabolic Diseases Motor Neuron Disease Muscle Hypertonia Muscle Spasticity Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Malformations Neurodegenerative Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Neuromuscular Diseases Neuromuscular Manifestations Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Paraparesis Paraparesis, Spastic Paresis Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Peripheral Nervous System Diseases Polyneuropathies Proteostasis Deficiencies Signs and Symptoms Spasm Spastic Paraplegia, Hereditary Spinal Cord Diseases TDP-43 Proteinopathies

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

About this study

Standard MRI imaging of the brain shows no consistent abnormalities in many degenerative disorders with progressive upper motor neuron symptoms, including primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraparesis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS) is able to evaluate certain cerebral metabolites that reflect the functioning and integrity of neurons. The objective of this protocol is to study metabolic changes in the motor cortex and corticospinal tract using MRS in these disorders to characterize the pathology, the progression of the diseases, and assess the utility of MRS to follow the response to therapies.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Adult patients with PLS, HSP, and ALS already evaluated by protocol #01-N-0148.

Adult normal volunteers

Exclusion criteria

Pregnancy, implanted devices such as pacemakers, medication pumps or defibrillators, metal in the cranium except the mouth, intracardiac lines, history of eye shrapnel injury or any other condition/device that may contraindicate or prevent the acquisition of an MRI.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Nih

Registry information

Official study title

Nuclear Magnetic Spectroscopy for the Evaluation of Primary Lateral Sclerosis, Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Important dates

Study start: 2001
Study completion: 2003
First posted: Aug 23, 2001
Registry last updated: Mar 4, 2008

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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