NCT03362658Active, not recruiting
Novel MRI Biomarkers for Monitoring Disease Progression in ALS
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 8 May 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
Routine MRI is normal in motor neuron diseases such as ALS. However, advanced MRI techniques can provide an objective measure of degeneration (a "biomarker") by examining brain structure, wiring, chemistry, and function. We will develop and evaluate novel MRI techniques that could improve our understanding of ALS and provide a means to diagnose it sooner and monitor its progression. Importantly, we expect these techniques to improve how new drugs are tested, which may lead to the more rapid discovery of a treatment for ALS. Each participant will have 3 MRI scans over a period of 8 months, along with neurological and cognitive evaluations. Study visits will take 2 - 3 hours. MRI is a safe technique that does not involve radiation.
- Status (registry)
- Active, not recruiting
- Study type
- Observational
- Enrollment
- 119 (actual)
- First submitted
- 18 Oct 2017
- Start date
- Oct 2016
- Primary completion date
- 31 Dec 2023
- Lead sponsor
- University of Alberta
- Diseases
- ALS (motor neurone disease)
- NCT number
- NCT03362658
What you commit to
- Study type: Observational
- Participants enrolled: 119
- From Oct 2016 to the primary completion date, 31 Dec 2023
- 7 sites in 2 countries
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Other illness
- Subjects with psychiatric/CNS illnesses such as Major Depressive Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Bipolar disorder.
- Subjects with significant head injury or other neurological disease (stroke, brain tumour).
Other
- Subjects ineligible for MRI investigation due to a pacemaker or other metallic foreign body.
Who the study is looking for
- Patients with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis as described in Study Populations
- For those with a diagnosis of ALS, patients will be considered with an El Escorial classification of suspected, possible, probable, probable lab-supported, and definite ALS.
- Patients 18 years of age or older
- Healthy controls over the age of 40.
- Be able to lie in an MRI machine for approximately 60 minutes
Age in the registry: 18 years to - · Sex: All · Accepts healthy volunteers
Sites (7)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Calgary / Heritage Medical Research Clinic Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Calgary | Canada | Unknown status |
| University of Alberta Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Edmonton | Canada | Unknown status |
| McGill University / Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Montreal | Canada | Unknown status |
| Laval University Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Québec | Canada | Unknown status |
| University of Toronto / Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Toronto | Canada | Unknown status |
| University of Miami Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Miami | United States | Unknown status |
| University of Utah Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Salt Lake City | United States | Unknown status |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.