Imaging Biomarkers in ALS

November 24, 2025 updated by: University of Minnesota

A Longitudinal Study of Imaging Biomarkers in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

The purpose of the study is to determine if we are able to find one or more biomarkers of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at different levels, 3 tesla (3T) and 7 tesla (7T). A biomarker is a measurable characteristic that can be used as an indicator of a particular disease state. Identifying biomarkers of a disease can lead to a better understanding of the disease as well as improved treatments. This study will enroll patients with ALS, PLS, and healthy controls.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

30

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Minnesota
      • Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55414
        • Recruiting
        • University of Minnesota
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • David Walk, MD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

21 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This study will enroll ALS patients seeking care at the University of Minnesota and age-matched healthy control volunteers.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 21 to 75 years of age inclusive.
  • Willing and able to give signed informed consent that has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

ALS patients:

  • A clinical diagnosis of possible, laboratory-supported probable, probable, or definite ALS, according to a modified El Escorial criteria.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of other neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, etc).
  • Clinically significant history of unstable medical illness (unstable angina, advanced cancer, etc) over the last 30 days.
  • Inability to undergo MRI scanning, including but not limited to unable to remain still in an MRI scanner for more than 30 minutes, claustrophobia, presence of paramagnetic substances or pacemakers in body, weight over 300 lbs, or in the opinion of the investigator, if there is a strong likelihood that the subject would not be able to lie flat comfortably for 75-90 minutes.
  • The subject requires assistance to ambulate OR climb stairs, unless in the opinion of the investigator, and based upon the subject's rate of disease progression, the subject is likely to be able to participate in the MRI screening 12 months after enrollment.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Case-Control
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Patients with ALS
Healthy Controls
Healthy control volunteers

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Imaging biomarkers
Time Frame: 12 months
Comparison of neurochemical concentrations and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) parameters between ALS subjects and age-matched normal subjects.
12 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Minnesota

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: David Walk, MD, University of Minnesota

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

September 1, 2015

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 30, 2030

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 30, 2031

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 30, 2015

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 1, 2015

First Posted (Estimated)

October 2, 2015

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

December 2, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 24, 2025

Last Verified

November 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 130126

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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