NCT06608004

Brief Summary

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterised by progressive diffuse muscular paralysis due to the inexorable loss of motor neurons in the primary motor cortex, the corticospinal tract, the brain stem and the spinal cord. Over the course of the disease, when the phrenic motor neurons are involved, diaphragmatic weakness develops, leading to restrictive respiratory failure, which is the main cause of morbidity and mortality. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) compensates for diaphragm failure and corrects the associated symptoms, and has been shown to prolong patient survival and improve quality of life. Undernutrition is another recognised prognostic factor. Several mechanisms have been described, foremost of which are a state of hypermetabolism and a reduction in food intake secondary to chewing difficulties, dysphagia, a loss of dexterity in the upper limbs, a disturbance in salivary secretion or psychological disorders. In addition, diaphragmatic dysfunction plays a direct role in the onset of undernutrition, as compensatory contraction of the accessory neck muscles increases resting energy expenditure. However, the hedonic sensations triggered by a meal play a role in controlling food intake beyond the simple energy balance between calorie intake and energy expenditure. Olfacto-gustatory sensoriality could therefore play a role in the nutritional status of patients suffering from ALS. Diaphragmatic dysfunction may also influence nutritional status by other mechanisms. For example, the reduction in inspiratory capacity associated with diaphragmatic insufficiency reduces olfaction in a group of tetraplegic patients. Central sensory impairment could exacerbate this phenomenon. Although it is conventionally considered that there are no sensory manifestations during the course of ALS, minor but diffuse abnormalities of the nerves and sensory action potentials have been observed. A central alteration in olfacto-gustatory sensoriality could be part of the neurological manifestations of ALS. In addition, olfactory deficits occur in other neuromuscular diseases with central involvement, such as myasthenia, Parkinson\'s or Alzheimer\'s disease, in the absence of concomitant cognitive or diaphragmatic impairment. Our hypothesis is that impaired olfacto-gustatory function favours the onset of undernutrition in ALS. Current nutritional management consists of ensuring adequate calorie intake by prescribing oral food supplements or inserting a gastrostomy. Taking personalised account of food preferences during dietary advice or of a potential olfacto-gustatory deficit, by reinforcing smells or tastes during food consumption, would be an interesting additional therapeutic avenue for improving patients\' nutritional status, quality of life and prognosis

Trial Health

43
At Risk

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
60

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for all trials

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2025

Shorter than P25 for all trials

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
not yet recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

September 19, 2024

Completed
4 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

September 23, 2024

Completed
3 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 1, 2025

Completed
1 year until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

January 1, 2026

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 1, 2026

Completed
Last Updated

September 23, 2024

Status Verified

September 1, 2024

Enrollment Period

1 year

First QC Date

September 19, 2024

Last Update Submit

September 19, 2024

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • The measurement of implicit wanting

    It is calculated for each food category (sweet-poor-fat, sweet-rich-fat, salty-poor-fat and salty-rich-fat) using the Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire (LFQP-France), which measures food preferences. This is a standardised computerised test (32), adapted to French cultural habits. It consists of presenting patients with photos of foods rich in carbohydrates, proteins or lipids.

    Through study completion, on average of 12 months

Study Arms (1)

patient

ALS patients referred to the ALS Reference Centre at Dijon University Hospital and Lyon University Hospital

Other: test taking

Interventions

Measurement of VAS for sensation of hunger, LFQP-France test, 24-hour semi-quantitative dietary recall, Assessment of energy expenditure linked to physical activity using the IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) (only at inclusion), Screening for undernutrition risk factors using the SSQ (Social Support Questionnaire) (only at inclusion), Measurement of body composition by impedancemetry, Measurement of isometric grip strength by handgrip test, Measurement of quality of life (SF36), Study of olfacto-gustatory sensoriality (olfaction via the Sniffin\' Sticks test, gustation via lingual application of impregnated strips and AHSP self-questionnaire) (carried out every other visit) and Measurement of gustatory evoked potentials in response to sugar.

patient

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
Sampling MethodNon-Probability Sample
Study Population

Patients with ALS will be referred to the regional reference centre for treatment.

You may qualify if:

  • Incident cases of definite or probable ALS according to El-Escorial criteria (3) followed up at the participating regional centre of competence
  • Patient aged over 18
  • Patient fluent in French
  • Patient having given oral consent

You may not qualify if:

  • Patients with psychiatric, cognitive or neurological disorders making it impossible to assess food preferences
  • Patient with a known food allergy
  • Patients with excessive alcohol consumption (≥ 10 standard drinks per week)
  • Patients who have stopped smoking for less than 1 month
  • Patients with severe bulbar involvement from the outset, preventing swallowing, patients with aphagia or patients eating exclusively via a gastrostomy
  • Patient with severe diaphragmatic impairment requiring NIV from the outset
  • Person not affiliated to or not benefiting from a social security scheme
  • Person under legal protection (curatorship, guardianship)
  • Persons subject to a legal protection measure
  • Pregnant women, women in labour or breastfeeding mothers
  • An adult who is incapable or unable to give consent
  • Minors

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Chu Dijon Bourgogne

Dijon, 21000, France

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Spinal Cord DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesMotor Neuron DiseaseNeurodegenerative DiseasesTDP-43 ProteinopathiesNeuromuscular DiseasesProteostasis DeficienciesMetabolic DiseasesNutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Study Design

Study Type
observational
Observational Model
COHORT
Time Perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

September 19, 2024

First Posted

September 23, 2024

Study Start

January 1, 2025

Primary Completion

January 1, 2026

Study Completion

January 1, 2026

Last Updated

September 23, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-09

Locations