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Third-party-funded project

Title:
Experimental causal and symptomatic therapies for the treatment of ALS

Project management at the University of Würzburg:

• Prof. Dr. Klaus V. Toyka ,Tel: 0931 201 23751,Fax: 0931 201 23946,Mail: Toyka_K@klinik.uni-wuerzburg.de

Participating scientists:

• Prof. Dr. C. Reiners , Klinik f. Nuklearmedizin, Universität Würzburg
• Prof. Dr. G. Ochs
• Prof. Dr. M. Sendtner
• Prof. Dr. J. C. Tonn , Klinik f. Neurochirurgie, Universität Würzburg
• PD Dr. M. Naumann
• Dr. R. Giess
• Dr. M. Beck
• Dr. T. Magnus
• Dr. I. Puls
• Dr. * Werner , Klinik f. Nuklearmedizin, Universität Würzburg
• Dr. * Riemann , Klinik f. Nuklearmedizin, Universität Würzburg

Abstract:
The intrathecally administration of BDNF in patients with ALS was tested within a phase I/II study. Outcome parameters were the optimal doses and the tolerability of the continuous intrathecal application of the neurotrophic factor. The application method as well as the agent was proven as well tolerable. Thus, BDNF could be used in a consecutive phase III effectivity study in ALS.

The use of Clenbuterol as symptomatic treatment for strengthening of the muscle force in ALS could not be confirmed in a study on the literature of this topic.
Injections of botulinum toxin into the salivary glands in ALS were proven to be safe and effective as significant reduction of the sialorrhea could be shown by using clinical parameters and a scintigraphic method.

Key words:
    Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
    treatment
    BDNF
    botulinum toxin
    Clenbuterol

Projekt period: from 08.1996 to 02.2001

Funding institution:
Wirtschaftsunternehmen ( (Amgen, Medtronic) ) ,Granting date: 22.08.1996

Publications:

• Ochs G., Penn RD, York M., Gieß R., Beck M., Tonn J., Haigh J., Malta E., Traub M., Sendtner M., Toyka K.V.:. (2000). A phase I/II trial of recombinant methionyl human brain derived neurotrophic factor administered by intrathecal infusion to patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Other Motor Neuron Disord, 1,116. (scientific article)
• Puls I., Beck M., Gieß R., Magnus T., Ochs G., Toyka K.V.:. (1999). Clenbuterol in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: No indication for a positive effect. Nervenarzt, 0,916. (scientific article)
• Gieß R., Naumann M., Werner E., Riemann R., Beck M., Puls I., Reiners C., Toyka K.V.:. (2001). Injections of botulinum toxin A into the salivary glands improve sialorrhea in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.. J Neurol Neurosurg PS, 3,024. (scientific article)