Spinal Muscular Atrophy Trial, Recruiting

Written by an AI model from ClinicalTrials.gov eligibility criteria and checked on a sample basis. Please confirm against the original criteria.

Who might be able to join this trial:

• You have significant weakness or loss of movement in both arms (and possibly legs), or severe problems with coordination, due to a confirmed medical condition.
• Your condition is caused by a brainstem stroke, a traumatic spinal cord injury, or a progressive muscle or nerve disease such as muscular dystrophy or ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).
• You may also qualify if your movement problems are combined with severe difficulty speaking, such as in Locked-In Syndrome or ALS.
• If your condition is from a spinal cord injury, it must affect the neck area (C6 level or higher) and be rated A, B, or C on a standard injury scale.
• If your condition is from a spinal cord injury or a non-progressive cause, the strength in each of your arms must be very limited (scored 7 or below on a standard scale), and your leg strength must be below the ability to lift against gravity.
• If you have a progressive condition like ALS, your arm strength must also be below the ability to lift against gravity.
• Your movement problems must have lasted at least 12 months before joining, if caused by a non-progressive condition like stroke or spinal cord injury.
• You have been cleared as safe for surgery by your own doctor and the study medical team.
• You are able to communicate reliably, for example through speech or eye movements.
• You have a stable support system at home, including a caregiver who can monitor you throughout the study.
• You are able and willing to travel to the study location up to five days per week for the full duration of the study.
• You are able to understand and follow instructions during study sessions.
• Your vision (with glasses or contacts if needed) is good enough to use a computer screen.

Who may not be able to join:

• You have a psychiatric condition or memory/thinking problems that would make it difficult to give informed consent or fully participate.
• You have an active implanted medical device, including any device that cannot safely be used near an MRI machine.
• You have a medical reason why you cannot have an MRI, or you are likely to need an MRI during the study period.
• You have serious heart, lung, kidney, or metabolic health problems that would make surgery unsafe.
• You take blood thinners regularly and cannot safely stop them for surgery.
• You have conditions that make having a long-term implanted device unsafe, such as bone infection, chronic infection, poorly controlled diabetes, cancer, severe autoimmune disease, epilepsy, or poor wound healing.
• You have tooth decay or a significant risk of dental or gum infection.
• You regularly take steroid medications or drugs that suppress your immune system, either by mouth or through an IV.
• You have had active cancer in the past year or are currently receiving chemotherapy.
• You have had episodes of uncontrolled autonomic dysreflexia (a sudden dangerous rise in blood pressure) in the past 3 months (confirm with trial site).
• You have a condition involving excess fluid around the brain (hydrocephalus), with or without a surgically implanted shunt.
• You have other ongoing, unstable health conditions that could interfere with your participation.
• You have had persistent thoughts of suicide in the past 12 months.
• You have had a substance use disorder in the past year.
• You are currently pregnant (confirmed by a blood test).
• You are currently breastfeeding, planning to become pregnant, or not using a reliable form of birth control.

Important: Always verify eligibility with the trial site directly before applying.