Circulating Biomarker for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

NCT ID: NCT03088839

Last Updated: 2023-03-15

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: UNKNOWN
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2017-12-01
• Study Completion Date: 2024-12-01

Brief Summary

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rare disease with a worldwide incidence of 2-3 cases per 100,000 individuals/year and it is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration of motor neurons. When motor neurons degenerate the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. ALS manifests in two forms: Familiar ALS (FALS) with inherited risk genotypes, accounts for only 10% of cases and sporadic ALS (SALS) without apparent heritability accounts for 90% of cases. ALS can occur in both female and male subjects at any age but is more common in people aged over 40.

Although the molecular mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of ALS is still under investigation, recent research has revealed that diseases affecting motor neurons may be associated to alterations of RNA metabolism and biogenesis of small non-coding micro RNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are circulating molecules, whose expression profiles are widely described to have an important potential in monitoring the progression of a disease, to promote the development of more targeted therapies and/or to determine the effectiveness of treatments. Altered patterns of specific miRNAs expression have been described in several pathological conditions. Evidence shows a significant reduction in the levels of certain miRNAs also in patients with ALS. Among others, miRNA-218 has been described to play a critical role in the onset of motor neurons differentiation and in establishing cell identity and fate.

Changes in the levels of miRNA-218 in the serum of ALS patients may potentially provide useful tools to determine the possible association with this disease and to candidate it as indicator of disease progression.

Conditions

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: CASE_CONTROL
• Study Time Perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL

Study Groups

30 ALS patients

No interventions assigned to this group

30 healthy controls

No interventions assigned to this group

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• ALS patients admitted to Centre for Rare Diseases, IRCCS Neuromed,
• Patients diagnosed ALS within 6 months,
• Patients age between 20 years and 75 years old,
• Patients underwent to differential diagnosis using diagnostic tools (EMG, NCV, MRI) to exclude other diseases with similar signs and symptoms,
• Subjects able to communicate verbally or by using a non-verbal communication system.

Exclusion Criteria

• Pregnant women,
• Subjects with malignant tumor,
• Subjects/Patients with others neurological or psychiatric disorders,
• Subjects/Patients with systemic diseases,
• Subjects/Patients with positive blood test for hepatitis B or C, or HIV,
• Patients included in other clinical trials,
• Subjects/Patients showing inability to understand the informed consent and the study's purpose

• Minimum Eligible Age: 20 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 75 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Neuromed IRCCS

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Alba Di Pardo

Dr.

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

IRCCS Neuromed

Pozzilli, , Italy

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Italy

Central Contacts

Alba Di Pardo

Role: CONTACT

dipardoa@hotmail.com

+39 0865 915212

Facility Contacts

Alba Di Pardo

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

ADP_01

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id