Studies in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Other Neurodegenerative Motor Neuron Disorders

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to collect, from patients with sporadic and familial ALS and their family members, clinical data and blood samples for extraction of DNA, RNA, preparation of lymphocytes, plasma and serum to establish a repository for future investigations of genetic contributions to ALS pathogenesis. Blood samples for DNA extraction also would be collected from control subjects with no personal or family history of ALS phenotypes.

Official Title
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Clinical & Genetic Studies in ALS and Other Neurodegenerative Motor Neuron Disorders

Conditions
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria ALS or Suspected ALS Patient Clinical diagnosis of possible, laboratory-supported probable, probable or definite ALS according to modified EL Escorial criteria, suspected ALS according to original El Escorial criteria, or diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disorder with evidence of ALS plus extramotor features; OR Blood relative (first, second or third degree) with history of ALS or neurodegenerative disorder with evidence of ALS plus extramotor features; OR: A clinical suspicion or referral for ALS; > 18 years of age; Willing and able to give signed informed consent or assent that has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Blood Relative of ALS Patient Family history (first, second or third degree blood relative) of ALS or other motor neuron disease; > 18 years of age; Willing and able to give signed informed consent that has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Healthy Control No personal or family history (first, second or third degree blood relative) of ALS or other motor neuron disease; > 18 years of age; No personal history of other neurodegenerative disease (i.e., Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease); Willing and able to give signed informed consent that has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Exclusion Criteria: ALS or Suspected Patient • Limited mental capacity rendering the subject unable to provide written informed consent or assent or comply with standard phlebotomy procedures. Blood Relative of ALS Patient • Limited mental capacity rendering the subject unable to provide written informed consent or comply with standard phlebotomy procedures. Healthy Control Subject Personal or family history of dementia or other neurodegenerative disease (Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, etc.); MoCA score < 26; Limited mental capacity rendering the subject unable to provide written informed consent or comply with standard phlebotomy procedures.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| ALS or Suspected ALS Patient<br>Subjects with clinical diagnosis of possible, laboratory-supported probable, probable or definite, ALS or diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disorder with evidence of ALS plus extramotor features or a blood relative (first, second or third degree) with history of ALS or neurodegenerative disorder with evidence of ALS plus extramotor features. | |
| Blood Relative of ALS Patient<br>Subjects with family history (first, second or third degree blood relative) of ALS or other motor neuron disease. | |
| Healthy Control<br>Subjects with no personal or family history (first, second or third degree blood relative) of ALS or other motor neuron disease | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Blood Collection | Total number of blood samples collected | 50 years |