Open ALS Clinical Trials

Our program offers patients two types of clinical trials: ones that explore new ways to treat ALS, and ones that aim to learn more about the disease. Both types of studies are equally important to our mission to ultimately uncover pathways to prevent ALS in the first place.

Therapeutic studies for ALS

Dr. Maragakis speaking with a patient

Bringing treatment to ALS patients is the main mission of this program’s efforts. Our goal is to enroll all potential ALS patients into clinical trials that could help slow, halt, and eventually improve ALS. These therapies can take the form of traditional medications taken in pill form or by injection, but have also included gene therapy studies and the study of medical devices.

Effects of Psilocybin in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Status: Enrolling
Route of Administration: oral
Length of Study: 6 months
Principal Investigators: Ambereen Mehta, M.D., and Albert Garcia-Romeu, Ph.D.
Contact: Betsy Mosmiller ([email protected])
Learn more about this study.
More information on clinicaltrials.gov: NCT06656702

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Pridopidine in Participants with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Status: Active, Enrolling
Route of Administration: oral
Length of Study: ~2 yrs
Principal Investigator: Nicholas Maragakis, M.D.
Contact: Colleen Kane ([email protected])
More information on clinicaltrials.gov: NCT07322003

A Phase 1, Multicenter, Open-label, Dose-Finding Study to Investigate the Safety and Pharmacodynamics of a Single Intrathecal Injection of INS1202 in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Status: Active, Enrolling
Route of Administration: Intrathecal Injection
Length of Study: 1 yr, + 4yr follow up
Principal Investigator: Nicholas Maragakis, M.D.
Contact: Colleen Kane ([email protected])
More information on clinicaltrials.gov: NCT07290062

CortiCom

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) Implant for Severe Communication Disability

Status: Active, Enrolling
Route of Administration: Implanted Device
Length of Study: ~6 months
Principal Investigator: Nathan Crone, M.D.
Contact: 410-955-6772 or [email protected]
More information on clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03567213

A BCI allows individuals to operate a computer with their mind alone. Small electrodes on the surface of the brain carry signals to the computer, letting patients more easily communicate with family and friends.

For patients with significant motor impairment, a BCI system can potentially provide greater independence and quality of life. The study involves surgical implantation of electrodes on the surface of the sensory motor cortex involved in speech and upper limbs.

After surgery, participants will learn how to operate the BCI by traveling to the study site three times a week.

ALS Biomarker and Observational Studies

Betsy Mosmiller using a lung function test

Our greatest limitation to treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is the lack of understanding what causes or enables sporadic ALS. However, Johns Hopkins researchers are uncovering powerful discoveries for this progressive disease. These discoveries start in research laboratories across the institution as well as collaborations with investigators across the globe.

ASSESS ALL ALS

Status: Enrolling
Length of Study: 24 months
Principal Investigator: Nicholas Maragakis, M.D.
Contact: Colleen Kane ([email protected])
Learn more about the ASSESS ALL ALS study.

This is an observational study for people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis that collects a wide range of samples, clinical information and measurements that will be used for future research into ALS and related neurological diseases. 

PREVENT ALL ALS

Status: Enrolling 
Length of Study: 36 months
Principal Investigator: Nicholas Maragakis, M.D.
Contact: Colleen Kane ([email protected])
Learn more about the PREVENT ALL ALS study.

This is an observational study for people with an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis causative gene or those with a family history indicating the likelihood of being a carrier of an ALS causative gene. This study collects a wide range of samples, clinical information and measurements that will be used for future research into ALS and related neurological diseases. 

Browse other clinical trials

For a complete list of clinical trials across Johns Hopkins, visit our public database. It offers many ways to search for studies recruiting participants, including healthy volunteers.