Non-invasive Spinal, Cortical, and Sensorimotor Biomarkers in Motor Neurone Disease

Summary

Substantial variability exists in the onset, and rate of degeneration across individuals with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This variability requires biomarkers that accurately classify and reliably track clinical subtypes as the disease progresses. Degeneration occurs in the brain and spinal cord, however, non-invasive diagnosis of spinal cord function remains highly challenging due to its unique alignment in spine. Disruption of complex spinal and cortical circuits that transmit and process neural signals for position sense and movement has not been adequately captured in the neurophysiological profiling of ALS patients. The overarching aim of this study is to reveal and quantify the extent of change in the sensorimotor integration and its potential contribution to network disruption in ALS.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

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Healthy Volunteers:

* age and gender matched to patient groups
* intact physical ability to take part in the experiment.

Patients:

* Diagnosis of ALS, PLS, PMA, SMA, Polio or MS
* capable of providing informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

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Healthy Controls:

* History of neuromuscular
* neurological or active psychiatric disease disease
* history of reaction or allergy to recording environments, equipment and the recording gels.

Patients:

* presence of active psychiatric disease
* any medical condition associated with severe neuropathy (e.g. poorly controlled diabetes).
* History of reaction or allergy to recording environments, equipment and the recording gels.

Conditions5

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