University of Minnesota
This is a multi-site study of ALS participants and healthy controls who will undergo brain and cervical spine MRIs and NfL blood testing at up-to 4 time points over the course of a year. The primary goal is to identify objective biomarkers of disease progression that are biologically relevant, linearly progressive, and sensitive to change.
Recent developments in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), biophysical modeling, and computing have improved the sensitivity of imaging metrics to detect disease-related changes in the central nervous system in neurological disorders. This improved sensitivity has paved the way for utilizing these metrics as potential biomarkers of disease, in particular, to measure disease progression over short durations. The investigators hypothesize that the multimodal analysis of MRI biomarkers (microstructure and morphology) from the brain and spine will improve sensitivity to detect disease-related chang…
For participants with ALS: * \< 36 months since onset of symptoms * Definite, probable, lab-supported probable, or possible ALS by El Escorial criteria OR definite, probable, or possible ALS per Awaji-Shima criteria OR meets Gold Coast criteria * Forced vital capacity within the last 90 days ≥ 60% of the predicted value * Able to consent for themselves * Able to read and speak English * Clear of any contraindications for MRI Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals will be excluded if they have any condition that makes MRI unsafe or if they are unable to comply with instructions. * All participant…
Participants will undergo 3T MRI scanning of the brain and cervical spine MRIs
Participants will undergo a blood draw for the quantification of plasma neurofilament light chain
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