A Longitudinal Study of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Biomarkers

Mass General Brigham

Status: Completed

Conditions: Motor Neuron Disease; ALS; Sclerosis; Neuromuscular Diseases; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Nervous System Diseases; Spinal Cord Diseases

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01495390

BIO-ALS-02

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to collect biofluid samples for the banking and usage in ALS research. Through comparison of these samples, the researchers hope to learn more about the underlying cause of ALS, as well as find unique biological markers, which could be used to develop new therapies.

Full description

The purpose of the research study is to collect blood samples and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These samples will be collected approximately every 4 months.

Enrollment: 139 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18 or older
• Diagnosis of suspected, possible, probable or definite ALS according to El Escorial Criteria
• Vital capacity (VC) at least 50 percent predicted
• Able to undergo multiple lumbar punctures

Exclusion criteria

• Abnormal CSF pressure or intracranial/intraspinal tumors

• Use of anticoagulant medication that cannot be safely withheld

• Bleeding disorders

  • This is a partial listing.