DART Electrical Impedance Myography (EIM) Trial in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and Healthy Controls

Physicians seek a method to assess neuromuscular disease that is both non-invasive and quantifiable. Many patients do not tolerate standard current day assessment tools (such as needle electromyogram), and Electrical Impedance Myography (EIM) has the potential to serve as a non-invasive, quantifiable, diagnostic tool for neuromuscular disease. If successful, these devices will allow for improved ability to diagnose neuromuscular disease and to assess disease progression or remission, allowing for better care of individual patients as well as for use in clinical trials, where improved outcome measures for neuromuscular diseases is being sought.

Healthy subjects and subjects with DMD will be screened during Visit 1. Screening evaluations will establish eligibility and will include a medical history, abbreviated physical examination, vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respirations), and weight. Eligible subjects will provide assent, as stipulated by Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements, and a parent/guardian will sign an informed consent, after which the subject will be considered enrolled.

Subjects will be enrolled into 4 study cohorts for a total of approximately 90 subjects. Allocation into these cohorts is planned due to considerations regarding the effect of age on outcomes.

Visit 2, Study Assessments, may take place on the day of Visit 1 screening evaluations. If the subject cannot complete study assessments on the same day, the subject may return and complete Visit 2 evaluations within approximately 24 hours of the end of Visit 1.

Visit 2 assessments will include morphological testing of muscle length and girth, skin fat measurement, Clinical Assessments (6-Minute Walk Test \[6MWT\], North Star Ambulatory Assessment, timed function tests, dynamometry), and 3 phases of Device Performance testing. Phase 1 Device Performance testing will be done by each of 2 trained raters (Rater A and Rater B) from the research site, designated to perform the Device Performance testing on all subjects at their respective site. At least 10 minutes after completion of the first assessments, Phase 2 Device Performance testing will be repeated by Rater A. Upon completion of the Phase 2 Device Performance testing, the subjects will proceed with Clinical Assessments performed by a physical therapist. Following Clinical Assessments, Phase 3 Device Performance testing will be performed by Rater B.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

DMD Subject Cohorts

* Male subjects
* Subjects with a chronologic age of 3 to 7 years inclusive for Cohort A, and 8 to 12 years inclusive for Cohort B
* Subjects with DMD diagnosed with mutational testing and/or absence of dystrophin on muscle biopsy
* Subjects with proximal pelvic girdle weakness (Gower's maneuver, difficulty with arising from floor and going up steps)
* Subjects who can walk 10 meters unassisted (ie, without braces, canes, or other aids)
* Subjects who are taking systemic corticosteroids and/or any other medication which, in the judgment of the investigator, could impact muscle strength or physical activity levels, must be on a stable dose for at least 4 weeks prior to initiation of study measurements
* Subjects who provide assent, as stipulated by IRB requirements, and whose parent/guardian signs an informed consent form
* Subjects who are willing and able to cooperate and comply with all protocol requirements and procedures

Healthy Control Cohort

* Healthy males with normal neuromuscular examination
* Subjects with a chronologic age of 3 to 7 years inclusive for Cohort C, and 8 to 12 years inclusive for Cohort D
* Subjects who provide assent, as stipulated by IRB requirements, and whose parent/guardian signs an informed consent form
* Subjects who are willing and able to cooperate and comply with all protocol requirements and procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subjects with daytime ventilatory dependence (non-invasive or tracheostomy)
* Subjects enrolled in a DMD therapeutic clinical trial concomitantly or within the past 4 weeks
* Subjects with any physical or mental condition which may, in the investigator's opinion, render the subject unable to complete the tasks of the study appropriately