Big MRI study aims to solve muscle disease diagnosis puzzle
NCT ID NCT04866459
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study is collecting MRI scans from 1000 people with neuromuscular diseases to see if muscle imaging can help doctors diagnose these conditions more accurately and without invasive biopsies. The goal is to create a large database of MRI patterns linked to specific genetic causes, which could lead to faster and less painful diagnosis for future patients.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 1,000 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2022
- Expected to finish
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May 2031
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Neuromuscular Diseases
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1.Clinical diagnosis of neuromuscular disease: Potential participants will have a diagnosis of NMD, based on clinical testing, electrodiagnostic studies and antibody testing or genetic testing of a pathogenic variant based on the American College of Medical Genetics criteria \[63\]. Standard-of-care assessments include a detailed NMD examination by neurogenetics or neuromuscular physician, a three-generation family history, genetic testing, electrophysiological studies, and standard myopathy serology (e.g., creatine kinase level), muscle biopsy, muscle ultrasound, etc. will be considered for this study. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients with contraindications to MRI 1.1 Including non-MR compatible cardiac pacemaker or electronic devices 1.2 Severe claustrophobia 2. Patients with clinical presentation not consistent with confirmed NMD 3. Patients with advanced disease with severe quadriparesis (Medical Research Council Muscle Rating score of \<3 in \>10 muscle groups) or asymptomatic patients, as severe fatty replacement of muscle tissue in the late disease of most muscles or normal scans, will limit the value of diagnosis by imaging.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y4E9, Canada
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a tablet game replace tiring motor tests for neuromuscular disease?
- Can a muscle-boosting antibody help people with spinal muscular atrophy over the long haul?
- Can a diabetes drug curb obesity in kids with movement challenges?
- Can MRI scans reveal how ANO5 muscle disease progresses?
- Tissue donations could unlock secrets of muscle diseases
- Smartphone sensors and apps could revolutionize monitoring of rare muscle diseases