In-situ Cytokines Expression in the CNS in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The investigators aim at exploring the differential/topographical in-situ expression of cytokines in the central nervous system (CNS) of patients who died with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), using archived histopathology slides and residual paraffin blocks from autopsied cases. Previous studies from the investigators and other groups showed that inflammatory cytokines are implicated in several neurological affections, particularly neurodegenerative conditions. However, in-situ cytokine expression has never been studied so far in ALS. The investigators wanted to see if these neuro-mediators are involved in the neuromolecular chain/cascade underlying ALS.

Official Title
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In-situ Cytokines Expression in the CNS in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Conditions
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: in-situ cytokine expression


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: patients who died with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, having been autopsied. Exclusion Criteria: N/A
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)<br>Archived/residual histopathology sections and paraffin blocks, retrieved entirely from residual autopsy material from patients who died with an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. | Other: in-situ cytokine expression<br> <br> |
| Control<br>Archived/residual histopathology sections and paraffin blocks, retrieved entirely from residual autopsy material from one non-ALS case. | Other: in-situ cytokine expression<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| in situ cytokine detection: interleukin 18 | IHC detection on histopathology sections of paraffin embedded brain tissue. | retrospective study performed on archived paraffin blocks, autopsies performed between 2000 and 2005 | 
| in situ cytokine detection: interleukin 1 | IHC detection on histopathology sections of paraffin embedded brain tissue. | retrospective study performed on archived paraffin blocks, autopsies performed between 2000 and 2005 | 
| in situ cytokine detection: interleukin 6 | IHC detection on histopathology sections of paraffin embedded brain tissue. | retrospective study performed on archived paraffin blocks, autopsies performed between 2000 and 2005 | 
| in situ cytokine detection:TNF-a | IHC detection on histopathology sections of paraffin embedded brain tissue. | retrospective study performed on archived paraffin blocks, autopsies performed between 2000 and 2005 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Cytokines, Neuropathology