Recruiting

Neuromuscular Ultrasound

Sponsor:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Code:

NCT05237973

Conditions

Muscular Dystrophy

Peripheral Neuropathy

Motor Neuron Disorder

Normal Physiology

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Study Details

Brief summary:

Background:

Current techniques used to measure the health and function of a person s nerves and muscles are generally effective, but they do have limits. Researchers are looking for ways to improve the ability to observe nerves and muscles and how they function in this natural history protocol.

Objective:

To study the use of ultrasound (sound waves) to learn more about nerves and muscles.

Eligibility:

Healthy adults, aged 18 and older, with no history of stroke, nerve or muscular disorders, or spine surgery are also needed. A smaller population of adults aged 18 and older who have a neuromuscular disorder or show symptoms of nerve or muscle disorder will also be evaluated.

Design:

Participants will be screened with a medical record review.

Participants will have up to 5 outpatient clinic visits. Most participants will have 1 or 2 visits. Visits will last for less than 3-4 hours each.

During each visit, participants will give a brief medical history and have a physical exam.

Participants will have ultrasounds to get pictures and measurements of their nerves and muscles. Gel will be applied to their skin. A probe will be placed on the skin surface. Sound waves sent through the probe will be used to create pictures.

Participants may have nerve conduction studies. Wires will be taped to the skin surface near a muscle or nerve in the arm or leg. The nerve will be stimulated with a small electric current that feels like a rubber band flick. The response will be recorded through the wires.

Conditions

Muscular Dystrophy

Peripheral Neuropathy

Motor Neuron Disorder

Normal Physiology

Study ID

NCT05237973

Start date

Apr 18, 2022

Status verified date

Aug 28, 2026

Completion date

Aug 3, 2027

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Aug 3, 2027

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

  • INCLUSION CRITERIA:

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Healthy Volunteers-Adults

1. Healthy adults, male or female, aged 18 years old or older,
2. In good general health as evidenced by medical history, medical conditions under control such as hypertension acceptable.
3. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study.
4. Ability of subject to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.
2. Participants with neuromuscular disorders

1. Adults, male or female, aged 18 years old or older,
2. Diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder or have signs and symptoms of nerve or muscle disorder or neuromuscular diaphragm dysfunction.
3. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study.
4. Ability of subject to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

1. Healthy Volunteers-Adults

History of stroke, muscle disorders, peripheral neuropathy, or spine surgery
2. Participants with neuromuscular disorders

No clinical evidence of a neuromuscular disorder on clinical evaluation.

Study Design

Enrollment

150 participants

Anticipated

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

Neuromuscular disorders

Diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder such as motor neuron disorder, myopathy or have findings consistent with a peripheral neuropathy.

Normal volunteers

No known abnormal muscle or nerve disorders

Primary outcome measure

  • To collect normal values of M-mode diaphragm imaging during quiet and deep breathing and voluntary sniff testing in a population of health controls to establish normal values. [ Time Frame: ongoing ]
  • To acquire normative values for B-mode imaging of nerves (fascicle count) and muscles (quantitative echotexture measurement) and shear wave elastography data on muscle and nerve stiffness/speed of sound in a population of healthy volunteers. [ Time Frame: ongoing ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Candida C Silva

(301) 496-7428candida.silva@nih.gov

Tanya J Lehky, M.D.

(301) 496-7428lehkyt@ninds.nih.gov

Locations

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

Recruiting

Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892

Contacts

For more information at the NIH Clinical Center contact Office of Patient Recruitment (OPR)

800-411-1222ccopr@nih.gov

More Information

Sponsor

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Last update posted

Sep 1, 2026

Last verified

Aug 28, 2026

Keywords

  • Neuromuscular
  • Ultrasound
  • Elastography
  • Muscle
  • Nerve
  • Natural History

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) on 2026-09-01.