Excite
Research type
Research Study
Full title
‘Excite’: axonal excitability measures for motor system disorders
IRAS ID
325248
Contact name
James Alix
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 3 days
Research summary
Motor neurone disease causes progressive muscle weakness and cannot be cured. Being able to diagnose the condition earlier and monitor it more closely are important if new treatments are going to be tested effectively.
Doctors routinely use electrical tests of nerves and muscles to investigate patients for motor neurone disease. In this study, we will test if more sophisticated electrical tests than those presently performed can help in the diagnosis, as well as monitor disease.
These tests are all undertaken in a similar fashion to those performed in everyday NHS neurophysiology clinics. They involve placing electrodes ('sticky pads') on the skin. Small electrical pulses are then given to the nerve under the skin and the response of a muscle is recorded.
In this study we will recruit patients under investigation for motor neurone disease and see if these more sophisticated 'electrical' tests can provide useful information for the diagnosis of the condition.
The results of the study will provide us with information on whether or not these electrical tests show any promise in trying to diagnose motor neurone disease.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0107
Date of REC Opinion
24 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion