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Third-party-funded project

Title:
Progression parameters and predictors of survival in ALS

Project management at the University of Würzburg:

• Prof. Dr. med. Karlheinz Reiners ,Tel: . 0931 201 23758,Fax: 0931 201 23520,Mail: k.reiners@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de

Participating scientists:

• Prof. Dr. med. K. V. Toyka
• Prof. Dr. med. G. Ochs
• PD Dr. med. M. Naumann
• Dr. med. M. Beck
• Dr. med. R. Giess
• Dr. med. T. Magnus
• Dr. med. I. Puls
• Dr. med. * Würffel

Abstract:
A retrospective epidemiological analysis revealed positive factors for a better prognosis in ALS. Young age and limb onset are correlated with significantly longer survival. The degree of progression of the focus parameters (ALS functional rating scale, vital capacity, medical research council composite score) is predictive in terms of survival.

A study on objective methods of muscle strength measurement in ALS showed a comparable reliability of the hand-held dynamometric method and the computer based technique. The hand-held dynamometry can be used as a objective tool for the estimation of the muscle strength within clinical studies.

Key words:
    Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
    progression parameters
    survival
    muscle strength measurement

Projekt period: from 06.1996 to 10.2001

Funding institution:
Wirtschaftsunternehmen ( (Sanofi, Quintiles) ) ,Granting date: 28.07.1997

Publications:

• Magnus T., Beck M., Gieß R., Puls I., Naumann M., Toyka K.V.:. (2002). Disease progression in amyotrophic laterals sclerosis: predictors of survival. Muscle Nerve, 2,316. (scientific article)
• Beck M., Gieß R., Würffel W., Magnus T., Ochs G., Toyka K.V.:. (1999). Comparison of maximal voluntary isometric contraction and Drachman’s hand-held dynamometry in evaluating patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Muscle Nerve, 2,316. (scientific article)