← Back to Clinical Trials
Recruiting NCT04394871

NCT04394871 Clinical Manifestations and Biomarkers in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Type 4 and Other Inherited Neurological Disorders of RNA Processing

◆ AI Clinical Summary
Plain-language summary for patients
Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT04394871
Status Recruiting
Phase
Sponsor National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Condition Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Type 4
Study Type OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment 330 participants
Start Date 2020-12-14
Primary Completion 2030-12-25

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 5 Years
Max Age 120 Years
Study Type OBSERVATIONAL

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

This is an observational study. You will not receive an experimental treatment; researchers will collect data based on your existing condition or standard treatment.

This trial targets 330 participants in total. It began in 2020-12-14 with a primary completion date of 2030-12-25.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis type 4 (ALS4) is an inherited motor neuron disease. People with ALS4 have a change in the amount of RNA and DNA that bind together. This binding of RNA with DNA forms units called R-loops. Researchers want to learn how R-loops are related to ALS4. To do this, they will study people with inherited neurological conditions that may affect R-loop levels. These include ALS4, progressive external opthalmoplegia with mitochondrial deletions (PEOB2), Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome (AGS), and ataxia and oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2). Objective: To learn how the binding of RNA with DNA (R-loops) is related to neurological disease. Eligibility: People age 5 and older with ALS4, PEOB2, AGS, and AOA2. Healthy relatives and nonrelatives are also needed. Design: Participants may be screened with a review of x-rays and other medical records. Healthy relative and nonrelative participants will have 1 visit. All other participants will have 4 visits over 3 years. At visits, participants will undergo some or all of the following: Medical history Physical exam Tests of muscle strength and volume and physical function Blood tests Pregnancy test (for some females) Skin biopsy of forearm Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Some tests are optional. The MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to take pictures. Participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of the scanner. The scanner makes noise. They will get earplugs. The DEXA scan uses x-rays to take pictures. MRI and DEXA will be used to measure muscle, fat, and lean body mass. ...

Eligibility Criteria

* INCLUSION CRITERIA: ALS4 RNA metabolism inclusion criteria: * Age 5 or above * Genetic diagnosis of ALS4 (heterozygous mutation in SETX) * Able to communicate well with the investigator, to understand and comply with the requirements of the study * Capacity to consent (adults) or assent (pediatric subjects) to the study Disease control inclusion criteria: * Age 5 or above * Genetic diagnosis of RNA processing defect mutation (RNaseH1, RNaseH2, recessive mutations in SETX) * Able to communicate well with the investigator, to understand and comply with the requirements of the study * Capacity to consent (adults) or assent (pediatric subjects) to the study Related, unaffected healthy control inclusion criteria: * Age 5 or above * Family history (first, second, or third degree relative) of RNA processing defect mutation (RNaseH1, RNaseH2, heterozygous or recessive mutations in SETX) * Able to communicate well with the investigator, to understand and comply with the requirements of the study * Capacity to consent (adults) or assent (pediatric subjects) to the study Unrelated, healthy control inclusion criteria: * Age 5 or above * Able to communicate well with the investigator, to understand and comply with the requirements of the study * Capacity to consent (adults) or assent (pediatric subjects) to the study Gain of function inclusion criteria: * Age 5 or above * Genetic diagnosis of mutation resulting in a gain of function mechanism (for example, heterozygous mutations in SETX or heterozygous mutations in KCC3) * Able to communicate well with the investigator, to understand and comply with the requirements of the studyCapacity to consent (adults) or assent (pediatric subjects) to the study * Capacity to consent (adults) or assent (pediatric subjects) to the study EXCLUSION CRITERIA: ALS4 RNA metabolism exclusion criteria: * Patients with known claustrophobia, presence of pacemaker, ferromagnetic material in their body, or any other condition that would preclude MRI assessments * Pregnancy Note: An Adult RNA metabolism ALS4 Patient who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from the lumbar puncture procedure: * PT/PTT values that are prolonged greater than or equal to 3 seconds from the upper limit of normal (including treatment with oral and parenteral anticoagulants) * INR greater than or equal to 1.5, thrombocytopenia (\<70,000), or abnormal bleeding time or platelet dysfunction * History of a bleeding disorder * Use of anticoagulants * Disease control exclusion criteria: --Pregnancy * Related, unaffected healthy control exclusion criteria: * Diagnosis of neuromuscular disease or weakness on physical examination * Pregnancy Note: An Adult Related, Unaffected Healthy Control who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from the lumbar puncture procedure: * PT/PTT values that are prolonged greater than or equal to 3 seconds from the upper limit of normal (including treatment with oral and parenteral anticoagulants) * INR greater than or equal to 1.5, thrombocytopenia (\<70,000), or abnormal bleeding time or platelet dysfunction * History of a bleeding disorder * Use of anticoagulants * Unrelated, healthy control exclusion criteria: * Diagnosis of neuromuscular disease or weakness on physical examination * Patients with known claustrophobia, presence of pacemaker, ferromagnetic material in their body, or any other condition that would preclude MRI assessments * Pregnancy Note: An Adult Unrelated, Healthy Control who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from the lumbar puncture procedure: * PT/PTT values that are prolonged greater than or equal to 3 seconds from the upper limit of normal (including treatment with oral and parenteral anticoagulants) * INR greater than or equal to 1.5, thrombocytopenia (\<70,000), or abnormal bleeding time or platelet dysfunction * History of a bleeding disorder * Use of anticoagulants Gain of function exclusion criteria: -Pregnancy Note: An Adult Gain of Function patient who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from the lumbar puncture procedure: * PT/PTT values that are prolonged greater than or equal to 3 seconds from the upper limit of normal (including treatment with oral and parenteral anticoagulants) * INR greater than or equal to 1.5, thrombocytopenia (\<70,000), or abnormal bleeding time or platelet dysfunction * History of a bleeding disorder * Use of anticoagulants

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Angela D Kokkinis, R.N.

✉ akokkinis@mail.cc.nih.gov

📞 (301) 451-8146

Principal Investigator

Christopher Grunseich, M.D.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT04394871 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 5 Years or older, up to 120 Years, studying Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Type 4. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

Is NCT04394871 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT04394871 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at akokkinis@mail.cc.nih.gov for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT04394871 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Bethesda, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT04394871 clinical trial?

NCT04394871 is sponsored by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The principal investigator is Christopher Grunseich, M.D. at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The trial plans to enroll 330 participants.

Related Trials

Related Intelligence Guides

In-depth guides covering this condition's trials, eligibility, and what to expect.

ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: April 2026  ·  Data Methodology