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Berkman O, Raveh E, Harpaz E, Kreitman R, Ben-Ami E, Nechushtan E, Birman N, Drory VE. Changes in saccadic intrusions over time as an objective biomarker to follow ALS disease progression. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024:1-7. [PMID: 38975625 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2024.2376732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Objective: Saccadic Intrusions (SIs) are abnormal eye movements during gaze fixation. Studies have indicated the clinical relevance of SIs, especially of square wave jerks (SWJ) in ALS. We used a software-based platform to extract SIs as a part of an interventional drug trial. The objective was to examine SIs' change over time as a potential biomarker of ALS disease progression. Methods: 28 ALS patients (61.95 ± 8.6 years) were assessed with the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) and with an oculometric test. Changes of SIs over time and correlations with ALSFRS-R and its bulbar subscale were calculated. A power calculation was conducted to understand the practical implications of results. Results: A significant increase of SWJ over trial duration was observed, with an increase in frequency (mean rise of 0.14 ± 0.28, p < 0.01), amplitude (0.001 ± 0.0016 degrees, p < 0.005), overall duration of SWJ (0.13 ± 0.25, in %, p < 0.01), and in their relative part out of all intrusions (0.18 ± 0.32, in %, p < 0.005). Negative correlations were found with the bulbar subscale (R=-0.43, -0.41, -0.39 and -0.47, respectively, p < 0.001). The required sample size for observing a 40% reduction in bulbar aspects when using the oculometric test (α = 0.05 and β = 0.8), was found to be 150 patients per arm, compared with 200 patients using the bulbar subscale. Conclusions: Evaluation of saccadic intrusions during fixation was able to detect disease progression over time, correlated with ALSFRS-R bulbar subscale. Eye movements can potentially serve as an objective biomarker in ALS clinical trials and reduce the required sample size to show clinical effect of therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Elisheva Nechushtan
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, and
| | - Nurit Birman
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, and
| | - Vivian E Drory
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, and Tel-Aviv Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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2
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Stegmann G, Krantsevich C, Liss J, Charles S, Bartlett M, Shefner J, Rutkove S, Kawabata K, Talkar T, Berisha V. Automated speech analytics in ALS: higher sensitivity of digital articulatory precision over the ALSFRS-R. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38932502 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2024.2371986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Objective: Although studies have shown that digital measures of speech detected ALS speech impairment and correlated with the ALSFRS-R speech item, no study has yet compared their performance in detecting speech changes. In this study, we compared the performances of the ALSFRS-R speech item and an algorithmic speech measure in detecting clinically important changes in speech. Importantly, the study was part of a FDA submission which received the breakthrough device designation for monitoring ALS; we provide this paper as a roadmap for validating other speech measures for monitoring disease progression. Methods: We obtained ALSFRS-R speech subscores and speech samples from participants with ALS. We computed the minimum detectable change (MDC) of both measures; using clinician-reported listener effort and a perceptual ratings of severity, we calculated the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of each measure with respect to both sets of clinical ratings. Results: For articulatory precision, the MDC (.85) was lower than both MCID measures (2.74 and 2.28), and for the ALSFRS-R speech item, MDC (.86) was greater than both MCID measures (.82 and .72), indicating that while the articulatory precision measure detected minimal clinically important differences in speech, the ALSFRS-R speech item did not. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the digital measure of articulatory precision effectively detects clinically important differences in speech ratings, outperforming the ALSFRS-R speech item. Taken together, the results herein suggest that this speech outcome is a clinically meaningful measure of speech change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Stegmann
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Chelsea Krantsevich
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Julie Liss
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Sherman Charles
- Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
- Linus Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Seward Rutkove
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kan Kawabata
- Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
- Linus Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tanya Talkar
- Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
- Linus Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Visar Berisha
- Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Aural Analytics, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
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3
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Park BK, Oh SI, Kang M, Seok HY, Park JM, Kim S, Kim HI, Kim JA, Park JS. Reliability and Validity of the Korean version of the Center for Neurologic Study Bulbar Function Scale (K-CNS-BFS): An observational study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e38216. [PMID: 38905379 PMCID: PMC11191914 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000038216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Bulbar dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) significantly affects daily life, leading to weight loss and reduced survival. Methods for evaluating bulbar dysfunction, including videofluoroscopic swallowing studies and the bulbar component of the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R), have been employed; however, Korean-specific tools are lacking. The Center for Neurologic Study Bulbar Function Scale (CNS-BFS) comprehensively evaluates bulbar symptoms. This study aimed to develop and validate the Korean version of the CNS-BFS (K-CNS-BFS) to assess bulbar dysfunction in Korean patients with ALS. Twenty-seven patients with ALS were recruited from a tertiary hospital in South Korea based on revised El Escorial criteria. Demographic, clinical, and measurement data were collected. The K-CNS-BFS was evaluated for reliability and validity. Reliability assessment revealed strong internal consistency (Cronbach alpha) for the K-CNS-BFS subscales and total score. Test-retest reliability showed significant correlation. Content validity index was excellent, and convergent validity demonstrated significant correlations between the K-CNS-BFS and relevant measures. Discriminant validity was observed between the K-CNS-BFS and motor/respiratory subscores of the ALSFRS-R. Construct validity demonstrated significant correlations between the K-CNS-BFS subscales and total score. This is the first study to investigate the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the CNS-BFS, which showed consistent and reliable scores that correlated with tests for bulbar or general dysfunction. The K-CNS-BFS effectively measured bulbar dysfunction similar to the original CNS-BFS. The K-CNS-BFS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing bulbar dysfunction in patients with ALS in South Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bu Kyung Park
- College of Nursing, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Seong-il Oh
- Department of Neurology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Minsung Kang
- Department of Neurology, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Hung Youl Seok
- Department of Neurology, Dongsan Hospital, Keimyung, University School of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Jin-Mo Park
- Department of Neurology, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Dongguk University Gyeongju Hospital, Gyeongju, South Korea
| | - Sohyeon Kim
- Department of Neurology, Dongsan Hospital, Keimyung, University School of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Hye-In Kim
- Department of Neurology, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Ji-Ah Kim
- Department of Neurology, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Jin-Sung Park
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, South Korea
- Brain Science & Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
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4
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García-Parra B, Guiu JM, Povedano M, Mariño EL, Modamio P. Geographical distribution of clinical trials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a scoping review. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:376-381. [PMID: 38393299 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2024.2320881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Introduction: Clinical trials location is determined by many factors, including the availability of patient populations, regulatory environment, scientific expertise, and cost considerations. In clinical drug development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where genetic differences have been described and may be related to geographic setting, this could have implications for the clinical interpretation of results in underrepresented geographic settings. Objective: The aim of this study was to review country participation in ALS clinical research based on available data from clinical trial registries and databases. Methods: We performed a scoping review with available information about clinical trials on ALS in ClinicalTrials.gov (CT), EU clinical trials register (EudraCT), WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) and Web of Science (WOS). Inclusion criteria were clinical trials in phase 2 and 3 to treat ALS, recruiting or active not recruiting, from 23/06/2018 to 23/06/2023. Results: The total number of clinical trials identified were 188; 54 studies in CT, 38 in EudraCT, 47 in ICTRP and 49 in WOS. We identified 77 clinical trials after deleting duplicates and applying exclusion criteria. The countries with most studies conducted were the US with 35 studies (10.9%), followed by the United Kingdom, Belgium, France and Germany with 21 studies each one of them (6.5%). Conclusion: The data obtained in our review showed a non-homogeneous distribution in clinical trials at the international level, which may influence the interpretation of the results obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beliu García-Parra
- Clinical Neurophysiology Section - Neurology Service, Bellvitge University Hospital. L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep M Guiu
- Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, and
| | - Mónica Povedano
- Clinical Neurophysiology Section - Neurology Service, Bellvitge University Hospital. L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Motor Neuron Diseases Unit, Bellvitge University Hospital. L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduardo L Mariño
- Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, and
| | - Pilar Modamio
- Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, and
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5
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Genuis SK, Luth W, Magnussen C, Vande Velde C, Taylor D, Johnston WS. Patient engagement in research: lessons learned from CAPTURE ALS, a longitudinal observational ALS study. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38519870 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2024.2328599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Objective: There are compelling ethical and practical reasons for patient engagement in research (PEIR), however, evidence for best practices remains limited. We investigated PEIR as implemented in CAPTURE ALS, a longitudinal observational study, from study inception through the first 2.5 years of operations. Methods: Data were drawn from three engagement initiatives: a community-led letter-writing campaign; consultation with patient and caregiver focus groups; and a study-embedded 'participant partner advisory council' (PPAC). Data were derived retrospectively from study documentation. We used the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) participation spectrum as a framework for investigation. Results: 2401 letters from community members to the Canadian government affirmed study objectives and advocated for funding. Feedback from focus group consultation influenced study design and supported the study's data-sharing plan. PPAC collaboration shaped all aspects of the study. Contributions included: co-creation of governance documents, input on study protocols and public-facing communication, and development of engagement webinars for study participants and feedback surveys. Effective communication practices fostered collaboration and helped avoid tokenistic engagement. CAPTURE ALS encompassed all IAP2 participation levels. Conclusions: CAPTURE ALS was shaped by meaningful engagement initiatives over the course of the study. Lessons learned included: begin early and embed PEIR within research; build relationships and foster mutual learning; be flexible, open to adaptation, and seek diversity. Primary challenges included funding for early implementation, time needed to maintain relationships, and attrition due to disease progression. All IAP2 participation levels contributed to meaningful PEIR. 'Empowerment' was demonstrated through advocacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelagh K Genuis
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Westerly Luth
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Claire Magnussen
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Wendy S Johnston
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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6
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Witzel S, Statland JM, Steinacker P, Otto M, Dorst J, Schuster J, Barohn RJ, Ludolph AC. Longitudinal course of neurofilament light chain levels in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-insights from a completed randomized controlled trial with rasagiline. Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16154. [PMID: 37975796 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Rasagiline might be disease modifying in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The aim was to evaluate the effect of rasagiline 2 mg/day on neurofilament light chain (NfL), a prognostic biomarker in ALS. METHODS In 65 patients with ALS randomized in a 3:1 ratio to rasagiline 2 mg/day (n = 48) or placebo (n = 17) in a completed randomized controlled multicentre trial, NfL levels in plasma were measured at baseline, month 6 and month 12. Longitudinal changes in NfL levels were evaluated regarding treatment and clinical parameters. RESULTS Baseline NfL levels did not differ between the study arms and correlated with disease progression rates both pre-baseline (r = 0.64, p < 0.001) and during the study (r = 0.61, p < 0.001). NfL measured at months 6 and 12 did not change significantly from baseline in both arms, with a median individual NfL change of +1.4 pg/mL (interquartile range [IQR] -5.6, 14.2) across all follow-up time points. However, a significant difference in NfL change at month 12 was observed between patients with high and low NfL baseline levels treated with rasagiline (high [n = 13], -6.9 pg/mL, IQR -20.4, 6.0; low [n = 18], +5.9 pg/mL, IQR -1.4, 19.7; p = 0.025). Additionally, generally higher longitudinal NfL variability was observed in patients with high baseline levels, whereas disease progression rates and disease duration at baseline had no impact on the longitudinal NfL course. CONCLUSION Post hoc NfL measurements in completed clinical trials are helpful in interpreting NfL data from ongoing and future interventional trials and could provide hypothesis-generating complementary insights. Further studies are warranted to ultimately differentiate NfL response to treatment from other factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Witzel
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Petra Steinacker
- Department of Neurology, University of Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, University of Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | - Joachim Schuster
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
| | - Richard J Barohn
- School of Medicine, NextGen Precision Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Albert C Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
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7
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Lauria G, Curcio R, Tucci P. A Machine Learning Approach for Highlighting microRNAs as Biomarkers Linked to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Diagnosis and Progression. Biomolecules 2023; 14:47. [PMID: 38254647 PMCID: PMC10813207 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The early diagnosis of ALS can be challenging, as it usually depends on clinical examination and the exclusion of other possible causes. In this regard, the analysis of miRNA expression profiles in biofluids makes miRNAs promising non-invasive clinical biomarkers. Due to the increasing amount of scientific literature that often provides controversial results, this work aims to deepen the understanding of the current state of the art on this topic using a machine-learning-based approach. A systematic literature search was conducted to analyze a set of 308 scientific articles using the MySLR digital platform and the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) algorithm. Two relevant topics were identified, and the articles clustered in each of them were analyzed and discussed in terms of biomolecular mechanisms, as well as in translational and clinical settings. Several miRNAs detected in the tissues and biofluids of ALS patients, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), have been linked to ALS diagnosis and progression. Some of them may represent promising non-invasive clinical biomarkers. In this context, future scientific priorities and goals have been proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosita Curcio
- Correspondence: (R.C.); (P.T.); Tel.: +39-0984493046 (R.C.); +39-0984493185 (P.T.)
| | - Paola Tucci
- Correspondence: (R.C.); (P.T.); Tel.: +39-0984493046 (R.C.); +39-0984493185 (P.T.)
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8
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Zucchi E, Musazzi UM, Fedele G, Martinelli I, Gianferrari G, Simonini C, Fini N, Ghezzi A, Caputo M, Sette E, Vacchiano V, Zinno L, Anceschi P, Canali E, Vinceti M, Ferro S, Mandrioli J. Effect of tauroursodeoxycholic acid on survival and safety in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a retrospective population-based cohort study. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 65:102256. [PMID: 37842553 PMCID: PMC10570688 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Oral tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is a commercial drug currently tested in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) both singly and combined with sodium phenylbutyrate. This retrospective study aimed to investigate, in a real-world setting, whether TUDCA had an impact on the overall survival of patients with ALS who were treated with this drug compared to those patients who received standard care only. Methods This propensity score-matched study was conducted in the Emilia Romagna Region (Italy), which has had an ALS regional registry since 2009. Out of 627 patients with ALS diagnosed from January 1st, 2015 to June 30th, 2021 and recorded in the registry with available information on death/tracheostomy, 86 patients took TUDCA and were matched in a 1:2 ratio with patients who received only usual care according to age at onset, sex, phenotype, diagnostic latency, ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) at first visit, disease progression rate at first visit, and BMI at diagnosis. The primary outcome was survival difference (time from onset of symptoms to tracheostomy/death) between TUDCA exposed and unexposed patients. Findings A total of 86 patients treated with TUDCA were matched to 172 patients who did not receive treatment. TUDCA-exposed patients were stratified based on dosage (less than or equal to 1000 mg/day or greater) and duration (less than or equal to 12 months or longer) of treatment. The median overall survival was 49.6 months (95% CI 41.7-93.5) among those treated with TUDCA and 36.2 months (95% CI 32.7-41.6) in the control group, with a reduced risk of death observed in patients exposed to a higher dosage (defined as ≥ 1000 mg/day) of TUDCA (HR 0.56; 95% CI 0.38-0.83; p = 0.0042) compared to both the control group and those with lower TUDCA dosages (defined as < 1000 mg/day). TUDCA was generally well-tolerated, except for a minority of patients (n = 7, 8.1%) who discontinued treatment due to side effects, primarily gastrointestinal and mild in severity; only 2 adverse events required hospital access but resolved without sequelae. Interpretation In this population-based exploratory study, patients with ALS who were treated with TUDCA may have prolonged survival compared to patients receiving standard care only. Additional prospective randomized studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of this drug. Funding Emilia-Romagna Region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Zucchi
- Neuroscience PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Umberto Maria Musazzi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via G. Colombo 71, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Guido Fedele
- Associazione Farmaceutici dell'Industria (AFI), Viale Ranzoni 1, 20149, Milano, Italy
| | - Ilaria Martinelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Gianferrari
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Cecilia Simonini
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Nicola Fini
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Andrea Ghezzi
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Caputo
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Veria Vacchiano
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lucia Zinno
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Pietro Anceschi
- Unit of Neurosciences, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Elena Canali
- Department of Neurology, IRCCS Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Marco Vinceti
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center (CREAGEN), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Medical School, Modena, Italy
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Salvatore Ferro
- Department of Hospital Services, Emilia Romagna Regional Health Authority, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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9
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Gupta AS, Patel S, Premasiri A, Vieira F. At-home wearables and machine learning sensitively capture disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5080. [PMID: 37604821 PMCID: PMC10442344 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40917-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis causes degeneration of motor neurons, resulting in progressive muscle weakness and impairment in motor function. Promising drug development efforts have accelerated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but are constrained by a lack of objective, sensitive, and accessible outcome measures. Here we investigate the use of wearable sensors, worn on four limbs at home during natural behavior, to quantify motor function and disease progression in 376 individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We use an analysis approach that automatically detects and characterizes submovements from passively collected accelerometer data and produces a machine-learned severity score for each limb that is independent of clinical ratings. We show that this approach produces scores that progress faster than the gold standard Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (-0.86 ± 0.70 SD/year versus -0.73 ± 0.74 SD/year), resulting in smaller clinical trial sample size estimates (N = 76 versus N = 121). This method offers an ecologically valid and scalable measure for potential use in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis trials and clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anoopum S Gupta
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Siddharth Patel
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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10
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Fournier CN. AIMing for Better Tools to Track Disease Progression. Neurology 2023; 101:243-244. [PMID: 37311651 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000207500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christina N Fournier
- From the Department of Neurology (C.N.F.), Emory University; and Department of Neurology (C.N.F.), Veterans Affairs, Atlanta, GA.
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11
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Maragakis NJ, Rothstein JD. The Evolving Landscape of Motor Neuron Disease Therapeutics. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:1047-1049. [PMID: 36171516 PMCID: PMC9587153 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01307-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Maragakis
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Jeffrey D Rothstein
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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