Stem cell transplantation study for the treatment of ALS – Phase 2
The phase 2 trial focused on the safety and maximum tolerated dose of Human Spinal Cord Derived Neural Stem Cell Transplantation. This study expanded on the work of the phase 1 study directed by Eva L. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., who is the principal investigator and director of the first-ever FDA-approved human clinical trial of stem cells injected directly into the spinal cords of ALS patients.
Phase 1 of the trial, designed to study the safety of the procedure, was completed in 2013 with no significant adverse side effects to patients. Phase 2 included 15 additional participants, the last 3 of which received 8 million stem cells injected into the lumbar spinal cord followed by 8 million stem cells injected into the cervical spinal cord. Data from these studies suggest that the procedure is safe for persons with ALS (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29928656). We do not currently have an enrolling stem cell trial.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01730716
Future trials
Information regarding future trials is anticipated to be announced by Neuralstem (https://www.neuralstem.com/).
Diaphragm Ultrasound study
This study uses ultrasound in ALS populations to aid in the development of biomarkers for more definitive ALS disease staging. ALS patients will have up to 5 ultrasounds of their diaphragms; these will occur every 3 to 4 months. During the ultrasounds patients will be asked to perform a few breathing assessments – quiet breathing, deep inspiration, and sniff testing. The 2-D images will allow the physician to observe changes over time, if any. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) will be completed to help us evaluate patients’ respiratory system. We will collect basic vital signs – age, gender, height, and weight.
Michigan Brain Autopsy Program
Patients seen in our clinic are eligible to donate their brain and cervical spinal tissue as well as their teeth (molars only) to the Michigan Brain Bank after death. Family members will receive an autopsy report and the tissue will be stored and made available to scientists wishing to study ALS. These tissue donations will also be correlated with blood or skin biopsies that may have been given for another ALS study. These studies may lead to improved understanding and advances in the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disease.
Validation Study of the ALS Specific Quality of Life – Short Form Instrument
This study validates a shortened version of the ALS Specific Quality of Life – Short Form Instrument (ALSSQOL-SF). The ALSSQOL-SF is a short questionnaire that asks broad questions about emotional, spiritual, and support related issues. We will compare the ALSSQOL-SF to other tools we currently use to determine the best tool for ALS patients. At one clinic appointments patients will answer questions from several surveys. The answers to these surveys will help researchers assess concerns that are not necessarily related to patients’ physical well-being. Additional demographic and health history information will also be collected.