CAPTURE ALS is a long-term data and biorepository platform that will facilitate future ALS research. CAPTURE ALS will provide the standardized systems and tools necessary to collect, store, and analyze vast amounts of multimodal information about ALS. These multimodal datasets and biosamples will be made available for use by researchers or industry across Canada and around the world in accordance with the CAPTURE ALS Data Sharing Policy to advance research on ALS.
In this observational study, participants with ALS and related disorders will be followed longitudinally over the course of a year to examine disease progression. Participants with ALS or a related disorder will have up to 5 in-person visits at screening, 0, 4, 8 and 12 months. Healthy controls are included as comparisons and will have 3 in-person visits at screening, 0 and 8 months. At each visit after screening, patients and healthy controls will undergo an MRI, neurocognitive and speech testing, clinical evaluations specific to ALS (ALSFRS-R, FVC, neurological exam, which are not completed by controls), answer questionnaires about their health and have biospecimens, including blood, saliva and optionally cerebrospinal fluid, collected.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
150
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
RECRUITINGUniversity of Toronto / Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
RECRUITINGMcGill University / Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
RECRUITINGCHU de Quebec -Universite de Laval
Québec, Quebec, Canada
RECRUITINGALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R)
The ALSFRS-R will be used as a global measure of disease status. It measures activities of daily living and consists of 12 questions, each scored from 0-4, with higher scores representing better function. Changes in ALSFRS-R score over time will be measured.
Time frame: Once every 4 months for a year
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
FVC will be used as an index of respiratory function over time. FVC is the maximal volume of air exhaled with maximally forced effort from a maximal inspiration.
Time frame: Once every 4 months for a year
Speech Testing
Changes in speech function over time will be measured using a web-browser based audio and video data collection tool.
Time frame: Once every 4 months for a year
Neurological dysfunction as detected during standard neurological examination
Changes in neurological function over time will be measured through a standard neurological examination.
Time frame: Once every 4 months for a year
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Various advanced MRI techniques will be used to assess nervous system structure and function.
Time frame: Once every 4 months for a year
Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural Screen (ECAS)
Changes in cognitive function over time will be measured by the ECAS.
Time frame: Once every 4 months for a year
ALS Assessment Questionnaire (ALSAQ-5)
Changes in quality of life over time will be measured using the ALSAQ-5, a participant reported outcome measure.
Time frame: Once every 4 months for a year
World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHO-QOL-BREF)
Changes in quality of life over time will be measured using the WHO-QOL-BREF, a participant reported outcome measure.
Time frame: Once every 4 months for a year
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