Imaging Neurochemistry and Brain Structure Tracks Clinical Decline and Mechanisms of ALS in Patients

Background: Oxidative stress and protein aggregation are key mechanisms in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease. Reduced glutathione (GSH) is the most important intracellular antioxidant that protects neurons from reactive oxygen species. We hypothesized that levels of GSH measured by MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) in the motor cortex and corticospinal tract are linked to clinical trajectory of ALS patients.

Objectives: Investigate the value of GSH imaging to probe clinical decline of ALS patients in combination with other neurochemical and structural parameters.

Methods: Twenty-four ALS patients were imaged at 3 T with an advanced MR protocol. Mapping GSH levels in the brain is challenging, and for this purpose, we used an optimized spectral-edited 3D MRSI sequence with real-time motion and field correction to image glutathione and other brain metabolites. In addition, our imaging protocol included (i) an adiabatic T1ρ sequence to image macromolecular fraction of brain parenchyma, (ii) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for white matter tractography, and (iii) high-resolution anatomical imaging.

Results: We found GSH in motor cortex (r = −0.431, p = 0.04) and corticospinal tract (r = −0.497, p = 0.016) inversely correlated with time between diagnosis and imaging. N-Acetyl-aspartate (NAA) in motor cortex inversely correlated (r = −0.416, p = 0.049), while mean water diffusivity (r = 0.437, p = 0.033) and T1ρ (r = 0.482, p = 0.019) positively correlated with disease progression measured by imputed change in revised ALS Functional Rating Scale. There is more decrease in the motor cortex than in the white matter for GSH compared to NAA, glutamate, and glutamine.

Conclusions: Our study suggests that a panel of biochemical and structural imaging biomarkers defines a brain endophenotype, which can be used to time biological events and clinical progression in ALS patients. Such a quantitative brain endophenotype may stratify ALS patients into more homogeneous groups for therapeutic interventions compared to clinical criteria.

Loss of appetite in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is associated with weight loss and decreased calorie consumption independent of dysphagia

BACKGROUND

Loss of appetite has been reported to affect up to half of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and to be associated with weight loss. We wished to test whether loss of appetite correlates with reduced dietary intake independent of dysphagia.

METHODS

Appetite was measured repeatedly using the Council on Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire (CNAQ) in participants in the Electronic health Application To Measure Outcomes REmotely study. Dietary intake and weight were compared to appetite, ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised total and bulbar scores (dysphagia).

RESULTS

The average baseline CNAQ score was 30.4 (n = 61; SD = 3.9) with 18.0% scoring <28 points (severe loss of appetite). Lower CNAQ scores correlated with greater weight loss since diagnosis (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = -0.34; P = 0.009) and lower baseline energy intake (P = 0.007), independent of dysphagia.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support an association between loss of appetite and decreased calorie intake and weight in ALS which is independent of dysphagia.

Experience with telemedicine in a multi-disciplinary ALS clinic

OBJECTIVE

Telemedicine using video televisits is emerging as a means to provide care directly to patients. Here we report our experience using video televisits to provide follow-up care as a part of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Telemedicine for People with ALS (TelePALS) initiative.

METHODS

This was a retrospective chart review of all video televisit encounters conducted by the MGH ALS clinic between September 2014 and January 2016.

RESULTS

A total of 97 distinct ALS patients were seen using video televisits. Twenty-four percent of these patients had more than one video televisit. The median distance of the patients' primary residence to MGH was 211 miles. The average video televisit lasted 32 min (±12). About half the patients (54%) were ambulatory at the time of their video televisit. The most commonly addressed issues were medication management (89%), discussion of goals of care (74%), research (55%) and equipment use (50%). Acute care issues were rarely discussed.

CONCLUSION

Video televisits are feasible and can be a useful tool to supplement traditional clinic-based multidisciplinary ALS care.

Analysis of start-up, retention, and adherence in ALS clinical trials

OBJECTIVE

To investigate predictors of trial start-up times, high attrition, and poor protocol adherence in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) trials.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of start-up times, retention, and protocol adherence was performed on 5 clinical studies conducted by the Northeast ALS Consortium and 50 ALS clinical trials identified by PubMed search. Predictors of start-up times were estimated by accelerated failure time models with random effects. Predictors of retention and protocol deviations were estimated by mixed-model logistic regression.

RESULTS

Median times for contract execution and institutional review board (IRB) approval were 105 days and 125 days, respectively. Contract execution was faster at sites with more ongoing trials (p = 0.005), and more full-time (p = 0.006) and experienced (p < 0.001) coordinators. IRB approval was faster at sites with more ongoing trials (p = 0.010) and larger ALS clinics (p = 0.038). Site activation after IRB approval was faster at sites with more full-time (p = 0.038) and experienced (p < 0.001) coordinators. Twenty-two percent of surviving participants withdrew before completing the trial. Better participant functional score at baseline was an independent predictor of trial completion (odds ratio 1.29, p = 0.002) and fewer protocol deviations (odds ratio 0.86, p = 0.030).

CONCLUSION

Delays in IRB review contribute the most to prolonged trial start-up times, and these timelines are faster in sites with more experienced staff. Strategies to improve protocol adherence and participants' retention may include enrolling people at early disease stages.