Name: measurements of motor function and other clinical outcome parameters in ambulant children with duchenne muscular dystrophy
Uploaded: 2019-01-12T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at JoVE.com

We would like to thank Lars Hintermann for taking part in the demonstration of the motor function measure and timed function tests.

Before recruitment, the study was approved by the local ethics committee [Ethics Committee of the two Basel Cantons (EKBB 63/13)] and the Swiss Drug Agency (Swissmedic 2013DR3151) and registered under ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01995032).
1. Clinical Assessment of Muscle Function
<ol>
	<li>Motor function measure (MFM)
	<ol>
		<li>Have the patient perform each of the following tasks and score them as shown in Table 1. 
		Note: The MFM contains 32 independent...

<ol>
	<li>Ryder, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+burden,+epidemiology,+costs+and+treatment+for+Duchenne+muscular+dystrophy:+an+evidence+review.">The burden, epidemiology, costs and treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy: an evidence review.</a> Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 12 (1), 79 (2017).</li><li>Mazzone, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Star+Ambulatory+Assessment,+6-minute+walk+test+and+timed+items+in+ambulant+boys+with+Duchenne+muscular+dystrophy.">Star Ambulatory Assessment, 6-minute walk test and timed items in ambulant boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.</a> Neuromuscular Disorders. 20 (11), 712-716 (2010).</li><li>Buckon, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Can+Quantitative+Muscle+Strength+and+Functional+Motor+Ability+Differentiate+the+Influence+of+Age+and+Corticosteroids+in+Ambulatory+Boys+with+Duchenne+Muscular+Dystrophy?.">Can Quantitative Muscle Strength and Functional Motor Ability Differentiate the Influence of Age and Corticosteroids in Ambulatory Boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?.</a> PLoS Currents. 8, (2016).</li><li>B&#233;rard, C., Payan, C., Hodgkinson, I., Fermanian, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=MFM+Collaborative+Study+Group.+A+motor+function+measure+for+neuromuscular+diseases.+Construction+and+validation+study.+Neuromuscular+disorders.">MFM Collaborative Study Group. A motor function measure for neuromuscular diseases. Construction and validation study. Neuromuscular disorders.</a> NMD. 15 (7), 463-470 (2005).</li><li>Vuillerot, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Monitoring+changes+and+predicting+loss+of+ambulation+in+Duchenne+muscular+dystrophy+with+the+Motor+Function+Measure.">Monitoring changes and predicting loss of ambulation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy with the Motor Function Measure.</a> Developmental Medicine &amp; Child Neurology. 52 (1), 60-65 (2010).</li><li>Vuillerot, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Responsiveness+of+the+Motor+Function+Measure+in+Neuromuscular+Diseases.">Responsiveness of the Motor Function Measure in Neuromuscular Diseases.</a> Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 93 (12), 2251-2256 (2012).</li><li>McDonald, C. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+6-minute+walk+test+and+other+clinical+endpoints+in+duchenne+muscular+dystrophy:+Reliability,+concurrent+validity,+and+minimal+clinically+important+differences+from+a+multicenter+study:+Reliability.">The 6-minute walk test and other clinical endpoints in duchenne muscular dystrophy: Reliability, concurrent validity, and minimal clinically important differences from a multicenter study: Reliability.</a> Validity and MCID of 6MWT and other Endpoints in DMD. Muscle &amp; Nerve. 48 (3), 357-368 (2013).</li><li>McDonald, C. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+6-minute+walk+test+as+a+new+outcome+measure+in+Duchenne+muscular+dystrophy.">The 6-minute walk test as a new outcome measure in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.</a> Muscle &amp; Nerve. 41 (4), 500-510 (2010).</li><li>ATS Committee on Proficiency Standards for Clinical Pulmonary Function Laboratories. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=ATS+Statement:+Guidelines+for+the+Six-Minute+Walk+Test.">ATS Statement: Guidelines for the Six-Minute Walk Test.</a> American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 166 (1), 111-117 (2002).</li><li>Mcdonald, C. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=THE+6-minute+walk+test+and+other+endpoints+in+Duchenne+muscular+dystrophy:+Longitudinal+natural+history+observations+over+48+weeks+from+a+multicenter+study:+6MWT+and+Endpoints+in+DMD.">THE 6-minute walk test and other endpoints in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Longitudinal natural history observations over 48 weeks from a multicenter study: 6MWT and Endpoints in DMD.</a> Muscle &amp; Nerve. 48 (3), 343-356 (2013).</li><li>Deconinck, N., Dan, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pathophysiology+of+Duchenne+Muscular+Dystrophy:+Current+Hypotheses.">Pathophysiology of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Current Hypotheses.</a> Pediatric Neurology. 36 (1), 1-7 (2007).</li><li>Fischmann, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative+MRI+and+loss+of+free+ambulation+in+Duchenne+muscular+dystrophy.">Quantitative MRI and loss of free ambulation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.</a> Journal of Neurology. 260 (4), 969-974 (2013).</li><li>Barnard, A. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Skeletal+muscle+magnetic+resonance+biomarkers+correlate+with+function+and+sentinel+events+in+Duchenne+muscular+dystrophy.">Skeletal muscle magnetic resonance biomarkers correlate with function and sentinel events in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.</a> PLOS ONE. 13 (3), e0194283 (2018).</li><li>Willcocks, R. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multicenter+prospective+longitudinal+study+of+magnetic+resonance+biomarkers+in+a+large+duchenne+muscular+dystrophy+cohort:+Longitudinal+Muscle+MR+in+DMD.">Multicenter prospective longitudinal study of magnetic resonance biomarkers in a large duchenne muscular dystrophy cohort: Longitudinal Muscle MR in DMD.</a> Annals of Neurology. 79 (4), 535-547 (2016).</li><li>Godi, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Longitudinal+MRI+quantification+of+muscle+degeneration+in+Duchenne+muscular+dystrophy.">Longitudinal MRI quantification of muscle degeneration in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.</a> Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology. 3 (8), 607-622 (2016).</li><li>Schmidt, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Timed+function+tests,+motor+function+measure,+and+quantitative+thigh+muscle+MRI+in+ambulant+children+with+Duchenne+muscular+dystrophy:+A+cross-sectional+analysis.">Timed function tests, motor function measure, and quantitative thigh muscle MRI in ambulant children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A cross-sectional analysis.</a> Neuromuscular Disorders. 28 (1), 16-23 (2018).</li><li>Fischer, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+6-minute+walk+test,+motor+function+measure+and+quantitative+thigh+muscle+MRI+in+Becker+muscular+dystrophy:+A+cross-sectional+study.">The 6-minute walk test, motor function measure and quantitative thigh muscle MRI in Becker muscular dystrophy: A cross-sectional study.</a> Neuromuscular Disorders. 26 (7), 414-422 (2016).</li><li>Govoni, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ongoing+therapeutic+trials+and+outcome+measures+for+Duchenne+muscular+dystrophy.">Ongoing therapeutic trials and outcome measures for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.</a> Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 70 (23), 4585-4602 (2013).</li><li>Seferian, A. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Upper+Limb+Strength+and+Function+Changes+during+a+One-Year+Follow-Up+in+Non-Ambulant+Patients+with+Duchenne+Muscular+Dystrophy:+An+Observational+Multicenter+Trial.">Upper Limb Strength and Function Changes during a One-Year Follow-Up in Non-Ambulant Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: An Observational Multicenter Trial.</a> PLOS ONE. 10 (2), e0113999 (2015).</li><li>Pane, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Upper+limb+function+in+Duchenne+muscular+dystrophy:+24+month+longitudinal+data.">Upper limb function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: 24 month longitudinal data.</a> PLOS ONE. 13 (6), e0199223 (2018).</li><li>Wokke, B. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative+MRI+and+strength+measurements+in+the+assessment+of+muscle+quality+in+Duchenne+muscular+dystrophy.">Quantitative MRI and strength measurements in the assessment of muscle quality in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.</a> Neuromuscular Disorders. 24 (5), 409-416 (2014).</li><li>Arpan, I., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Examination+of+effects+of+corticosteroids+on+skeletal+muscles+of+boys+with+DMD+using+MRI+and+MRS.">Examination of effects of corticosteroids on skeletal muscles of boys with DMD using MRI and MRS.</a> Neurology. 83 (11), 974-980 (2014).</li><li>Hooijmans, M. T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Non-uniform+muscle+fat+replacement+along+the+proximodistal+axis+in+Duchenne+muscular+dystrophy.">Non-uniform muscle fat replacement along the proximodistal axis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.</a> Neuromuscular Disorders. 27 (5), 458-464 (2017).</li><li>Carlier, P. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Global+T2+versus+water+T2+in+NMR+imaging+of+fatty+infiltrated+muscles:+Different+methodology,+different+information+and+different+implications.">Global T2 versus water T2 in NMR imaging of fatty infiltrated muscles: Different methodology, different information and different implications.</a> Neuromuscular Disorders. 24 (5), 390-392 (2014).</li><li>Morrow, J. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=MRI+biomarker+assessment+of+neuromuscular+disease+progression:+a+prospective+observational+cohort+study.">MRI biomarker assessment of neuromuscular disease progression: a prospective observational cohort study.</a> The Lancet Neurology. 15 (1), 65-77 (2016).</li><li>Hollingsworth, K. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative+MRI+in+muscular+dystrophy:+An+indispensable+trial+endpoint?.">Quantitative MRI in muscular dystrophy: An indispensable trial endpoint?.</a> Neurology. 83 (11), 956-957 (2014).</li></ol>

Several promising outcome measures have been used in clinical trials in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The MFM is a validated and reproducible functional test that involves a detailed examination of crucial motor functions in 32 steps4, while the 6MWT can provide useful information about the patient&#39;s endurance.
All currently validated tests have limitations due to inter- and intra-rater variabilities and all require cooperation of the patient and ...

Outcome measures that reliably reflect treatment response are an essential requirement of successful clinical trials. Due to the rapid development of new therapeutic strategies, stronger effort has been made to define reproducible as well as sensitive methods that monitor clinical outcomes.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive disorder and the most common type of muscular dystrophy in children. It is characterized by severe involvement of predominantly the skeletal and heart muscle and a progressive disease course, with loss of ambulation around 8-12 years old and premature death mainly before 30 years old1. Validated tests such as motor function measure and timed function tests are widely accepted as clinical tools for monitoring disease progression, as they assess many aspects of daily life functions. Furthermore, in ambulatory cases, they seem to be more sensitive than quantitative muscle strength measures, which cannot be appropriately performed in weak and non-cooperative patients2,3.
The motor function measure (MFM) assesses functions of the neck, trunk, arm, and leg muscles and abilities such as standing, transferring, and walking. It can even be performed in patients who have lost ambulation, as it reflects three dimensions of motor performance4. The MFM (validated for patients aged 6-60 years with DMD) was evaluated based on the MFM User&#39;s Manual5. It includes 32 items and is divided into three subdomains: D1 (assessment of standing and transfer), D2 (assessment of axial and proximal motor function), and D3 (assessment of distal motor function). All items are scored on a 4-point scale (0-3). The test is validated in neuromuscular disorders and can sufficiently monitor changes in muscle function and predict loss of ambulation. Moreover, it agrees with clinical changes perceived by the treating physicians and patients with DMD6,7. Timed function tests are also commonly used as outcome measures, though they are mainly performed in ambulatory patients. Among these, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) has received special attention since it shows the highest test-retest reliability, predicts clinical decline and loss of ambulation, and correlates more accurately with muscle function measures compared to quantitative muscle strength measures8,9. The test measures the maximal walking distance of a patient in 6 minutes10. It is guided by two trained professionals, a &#34;follower&#34; who walks 1-2 meters behind the patient, and an &#34;evaluator&#34; who records the time. Other timed function tests have lower test-retest reliability and do not reflect endurance, an important marker of ambulatory function8,9,10,11. These tests include the timed 10-meter run/walk test (10MWT), which measures the best performance of walking/running for a 10-meter distance, and the supine-up time, which measures the ability to stand up from supine position2. The use of the motor function measure and timed function tests as primary and secondary endpoints in clinical trials is justified; however, a major limitation is that none are independent of patient collaboration and the skills of the evaluator.
Quantitative MRI (QMRI) is an objective method to visualize well-described morphological abnormalities of the musculature including edema, muscle degeneration, and increased content of adipose and connective tissue12. The use of MRI as a diagnostic tool in neuromuscular disorders has already been established, but its role in monitoring disease progression and treatment response is still limited to clinical trials. T2-relaxation time is known to be increased in muscle dystrophies due to muscle damage, edema, fatty replacement, and inflammation, and further information about muscle fat content can be extracted through calculation of the mean fat fraction (FF). QMRI has been shown to be a promising biomarker, as measurements have correlated with clinical outcome and disease progression, while a mean fat fraction of 50% predicted loss of ambulation13,14. Moreover, QMRI has been able to detect subclinical changes in patients with stable or even improved outcome measures15,16. QMRI data of extensors muscles has also shown to be meaningful regarding its correlation with clinical outcomes17. QMRI is a non-invasive and sensitive method; nevertheless, its cost and the possibility of reduced compliance in younger children may limit its use.
The reliability of functional tests and QMRI has been previously shown in Becker&#39;s muscular dystrophy18. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to highlight sensitive clinical and radiological outcome measures in ambulant children with DMD, as the need for standardized and disease-specific assessments is increasing in the era of clinical trials in neuromuscular disorders.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Physiotherapy mat</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>should not be slippery; alternatively use a wide examination table</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cushions</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Table&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>with adjustable height; it should allow the patient to rest forearms while seated and elbows flexed at 90&#176;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Chair</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>with adjustable height if possible; it should allow the patient to touch the floor with the feet while seated with the hips and knees flexed at 90&#176;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stopwatch</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CD or CD-ROM glued onto a piece of cardboard</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10 coins&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>dimensions: 20 mm wide and 2 mm thick (10 euro cents or equivalent)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lead pencil</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tennis ball</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sheets of A4 paper or equivalent&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>weight: 70-80g</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Clipboard</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Two small traffic cones&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tape&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>for marking arrows and stop&#160;&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Line traced on the floor</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>2 centimeters wide and 6 meters long</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Corridor</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;-&#160;</td>
			<td>indoor, straight, up to 30 meters long&#160;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

measurements of motor function and other clinical outcome parameters in ambulant children with duchenne muscular dystrophy

While the number of new treatment options tested in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is increasing, there is still no defining of the most reliable assessments regarding therapeutic efficacy. We present clinical and radiological outcome measures used in ambulatory patients participating in our trial &#34;Treatment with L-citrulline and metformin in Duchenne muscular dystrophy&#34;. The motor function measure is a validated test in patients with neuromuscular disorders that consists of 32 items and assesses all three dimensions of motor performance including standing and transfer (D1 subscore), axial and proximal motor function (D2 subscore), and distal motor function (D3 subscore). The test shows high intra- and inter-rater variability but only when strictly following guidelines of the materials, examination steps, and calculation of scores. The 6-minute walk test, timed 10-meter walk/run test, and supine-up time are commonly used timed functional tests that also sufficiently monitor changes in muscle function; however, they strongly depend on patient collaboration. Quantitative MRI is an objective and sensitive biomarker to detect subclinical changes, though the examination costs may be a reason for its limited use. In this study, a high correlation between all clinical assessments and quantitative MRI scans was found. The combinational use of these methods provides a better understanding about disease progression; however, longitudinal studies are needed to validate their reliability.

Baseline data of 47 ambulatory male patients (aged 6.5 to 10.8 years) with DMD were analyzed. All patients participated previously in the &#34;Treatment with L-citrulline and metformin in Duchenne muscular dystrophy&#34; study. Patients were enrolled from the University Children&#39;s Hospital Basel and from the patient registries of Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. Except for one patient, who refused to take part in the scanning, MRI of all thigh muscles was performed...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at JoVE.com

Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

The aim of this study is to present the most reliable clinical outcome measures and their correlations with quantitative muscle MRI in ambulant patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

While the number of new treatment options tested in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is increasing, there is still no defining of the most ...

This method can help answer key questions regarding treatment response and clinical decline overtime in clinical trials for patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The main advantages of this technique are its lower dependency on the patient's compliance, and suitability for both ambulatory and nonambulatory patients. Demonstrating the procedure will be Christine Seppi, a trained physiotherapist for motor function measure from the University Children's Hospital Basal.Perform the clinical assessment of motor function, by having the patient complete the following tasks, beginning with him lying down on his back. First, he should hold his head in midline position, and then turn it from one side to the other. In this and all subsequent motions, score the patient on a scale of zero to three, based on performance.Next, have the patient remain laying down with his head in the midline position, and ask him to raise his head and maintain this position. Have him bring one knee up to his chest. Now, with one leg flexed both at the hip and knee at approximately 90 degrees, ask him to place his lower leg parallel to the mat with the foot in plantar flexion.Then, ask him to perform a maximal dorsiflexion of the foot. Next, the patient should place one upper limb beside his body, and bring his hand to the opposite shoulder. Then, still lying down on his back, he should move his lower limbs half flexed, with the feet resting on the mat, slightly apart.Ask him to maintain this position, and raise his pelvis. Next, ask the patient to lie on his back, and then turn over onto his stomach, and free both of his upper limbs. Then, ask him to lie down on his back and then sit up.Continue the clinical assessment with the patient sitting on a mat. First, ask him to maintain the seated position while keeping his hands in contact in front of his trunk. While attempting this procedure, it is important to remember to perform it in the given order to avoid unnecessarily repositioning and exhaustion, and to stick to the recommended examination materials and examination steps.Next, while sitting on the mat, place a tennis ball in front of the patient. He should then touch the ball, and then sit back again. Then, have him sit on the mat with his lower limbs out front, and then stand up.At this point, ask the patient to stand in front of the chair and then to sit down on the chair and maintain the seated position with his body as straight as possible. Now, ask the patient to sit on the chair with his head in complete flexion. Then, ask him to raise his head, and maintain this position.At this point in the assessment, ask the patient to sit on the chair in front of a table with his forearms, but not his elbows, placed on the table. Then, ask him to place both hands on top of his head. Now, with the patient in the same position, place a pencil on the table, and ask him to touch the pencil.Now, place the 10 coins next to his hand, and ask him to pick up coins, and hold them in the same hand. Next, place a CD glued to a piece of cardboard on the table. Ask the patient to place one finger in the center of the CD, and to trace around the edge of the disk with the finger.Now, hold a pencil and a paper on the table, and ask him to pick up the pencil and draw inside the frame. Then, put a sheet of paper in his hands, and ask him to tear the paper at least four centimeters. Next, place a tennis ball next to the patient's hand.Ask him to pick up the ball, raise it, and then turn his hand. Then, place a diagram with pictures on the table, and have the patient place a finger in the center of the diagram on the word start and then place his finger on the drawings. At this point, ask the patient to sit on the chair with arms next to his body, and the table at a distance equivalent to the length of his forearm.Then, ask him to place both hands on the table. Next, ask the patient to sit on equipment adapted to his weight, with both feet on the ground. Then, ask him to stand up.For this part of the assessment, ask the patient to stand with the upper limbs resting on a piece of equipment for support. Then, ask him to release the support and stand straight. Next, ask the patient to take the same position again, using the equipment for support.Then, ask him to release the support and raise one foot. For the rest of the assessment, the patient should stand without any support. Ask him to touch the floor with one hand and then stand up again.Then, ask him to stand and walk 10 steps on his heels. Next, draw a straight line that is about six meters long and two centimeters wide on the floor. Ask the patient to walk along this line.Then, ask the patient to run. Next, ask the patient to stand on one foot without support, with the other foot off the ground. Ask him to hop in place.Finally, ask the patient to squat down, and then stand up again. Once the assessment is complete, calculate the motor function measure sub scores by adding the scores of all the items in that domain, dividing it by the maximum score for the domain, and multiplying by 100. Then, to calculate the total score, add the scores of all 32 items, divide the sum by 96, and multiply it by 100.Here we see images of the motor function measure and six minute walk test, in an eight year old patient with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Numbers in red represent assessment of standing and transfer, and blue and yellow represent assessment of proximal and distal motor function respectively. The first rows represent starting positions, and second rows represent tasks.Here, the starting position of the six minute walk test is illustrated on the left side, while the right side image shows a patient performing the test on a 30 meter corridor, under supervision of a physiotherapist. This figure shows a representative example of the correlation of baseline quantitative MRI data, with motor function tests in two patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Patient 1 with more severe clinical involvement assessed by functional tests, including the motor function measure and the six minute walk test, showed prominent fatty degradation of the thigh muscles, particularly of the abductors.Patient 2 had better clinical performance, and showed less pronounced fatty degradation of the abductors. For comparison, clinical assessments and qMRI data of all 47 patients at baseline are represented here. Once mastered, this technique can be done in about 45 minutes in ambulatory patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, if it is performed properly, and there are no further limitations due to the patient's compliance.Following clinical assessments, objective methods like quantitative muscle MRI can be performed in order to answer additional questions like, subclinical disease progression and their specific treatment. After its development, this technique paved the way for researchers in the field of neuromuscular disorders to perform clinical trials using a sensitive outcome measure that provides reliable information about disease progression, and can predict loss of ambulation. After watching this video, you should have a good understanding on how to perform the motor function measure in a patient with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, including assessing standing and transfer, axial and motor function, and distal motor function.Don't forget that factors that could interfere with your test performance should be avoided, such as wearing uncomfortable clothes, or using slippery examination materials. Further, patient may not use any autotic device while performing this procedure.

measurements-motor-function-other-clinical-outcome-parameters

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating disorder, which produces profound deficits in volitional motor control. Following medical stabilization, recovery from SCI typically involves long term rehabilitation. While recovery of walking ability is a primary goal in many patients early after injury, those with a motor incomplete SCI, indicating partial preservation of volitional control, may have the sufficient residual descending pathways necessary to attain this goal. However, despite physical interventions, motor impairments including weakness, and the manifestation of abnormal involuntary reflex activity, called spasticity or spasms, are thought to contribute to reduced walking recovery. Doctrinaire thought suggests that remediation of this abnormal motor reflexes associated with SCI will produce functional benefits to the patient. For example, physicians and therapists will provide specific pharmacological or physical interventions directed towards reducing spasticity or spasms, although there continues to be little empirical data suggesting that these strategies improve walking ability.
In the past few decades, accumulating data has suggested that specific neuromodulatory agents, including agents which mimic or facilitate the actions of the monoamines, including serotonin (5HT) and norepinephrine (NE), can initiate or augment walking behaviors in animal models of SCI. Interestingly, many of these agents, particularly 5HTergic agonists, can markedly increase spinal excitability, which in turn also increases reflex activity in these animals. Counterintuitive to traditional theories of recovery following human SCI, the empirical evidence from basic science experiments suggest that this reflex hyper excitability and generation of locomotor behaviors are driven in parallel by neuromodulatory inputs (5HT) and may be necessary for functional recovery following SCI. 
The application of this novel concept derived from basic scientific studies to promote recovery following human SCI would appear to be seamless, although the direct translation of the findings can be extremely challenging. Specifically, in the animal models, an implanted catheter facilitates delivery of very specific 5HT agonist compounds directly onto the spinal circuitry. The translation of this technique to humans is hindered by the lack of specific surgical techniques or available pharmacological agents directed towards 5HT receptor subtypes that are safe and effective for human clinical trials. However, oral administration of commonly available 5HTergic agents, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may be a viable option to increase central 5HT concentrations in order to facilitate walking recovery in humans. Systematic quantification of how these SSRIs modulate human motor behaviors following SCI, with a specific focus on strength, reflexes, and the recovery of walking ability, are missing.
This video demonstration is a progressive attempt to systematically and quantitatively assess the modulation of reflex activity, volitional strength and ambulation following the acute oral administration of an SSRI in human SCI. Agents are applied on single days to assess the immediate effects on motor function in this patient population, with long-term studies involving repeated drug administration combined with intensive physical interventions.

This video demonstrates modulation of reflex activity, volitional strength and ambulation through clinical and quantitative assessments in individuals with motor incomplete SCI as a result of acute oral administration of a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating disorder, which produces profound deficits in volitional motor control. Following medical stabilization, ...

Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism

The rise of accessible commercial eye-tracking systems has fueled a rapid increase in their use in psychological and psychiatric research. By providing a direct, detailed and objective measure of gaze behavior, eye-tracking has become a valuable tool for examining abnormal perceptual strategies in clinical populations and has been used to identify disorder-specific characteristics1, promote early identification2, and inform treatment3. In particular, investigators of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have benefited from integrating eye-tracking into their research paradigms4-7. Eye-tracking has largely been used in these studies to reveal mechanisms underlying impaired task performance8 and abnormal brain functioning9, particularly during the processing of social information1,10-11. While older children and adults with ASD comprise the preponderance of research in this area, eye-tracking may be especially useful for studying young children with the disorder as it offers a non-invasive tool for assessing and quantifying early-emerging developmental abnormalities2,12-13. Implementing eye-tracking with young children with ASD, however, is associated with a number of unique challenges, including issues with compliant behavior resulting from specific task demands and disorder-related psychosocial considerations. In this protocol, we detail methodological considerations for optimizing research design, data acquisition and psychometric analysis while eye-tracking young children with ASD. The provided recommendations are also designed to be more broadly applicable for eye-tracking children with other developmental disabilities. By offering guidelines for best practices in these areas based upon lessons derived from our own work, we hope to help other investigators make sound research design and analysis choices while avoiding common pitfalls that can compromise data acquisition while eye-tracking young children with ASD or other developmental difficulties.

Eye tracking has long been used to study gaze patterns in typically-developing individuals, but recent technological advancements have made its use with clinical populations, including autism, more feasible. While eye-tracking young children with autism can offer insight into early symptom manifestations, it involves methodological challenges. Suggestions for best practices are provided.

The rise of accessible commercial eye-tracking systems has fueled a rapid increase in their use in psychological and psychiatric research. By providing a ...

Myocardial Infarction and Functional Outcome Assessment in Pigs

Introduction of newly discovered cardiovascular therapeutics into first-in-man trials depends on a strictly regulated ethical and legal roadmap. One important prerequisite is a good understanding of all safety and efficacy aspects obtained in a large animal model that validly reflect the human scenario of myocardial infarction (MI). Pigs are widely used in this regard since their cardiac size, hemodynamics, and coronary anatomy are close to that of humans. Here, we present an effective protocol for using the porcine MI model using a closed-chest coronary balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending artery (LAD), followed by reperfusion. This approach is based on 90 min of myocardial ischemia, inducing large left ventricle infarction of the anterior, septal and inferoseptal walls. Furthermore, we present protocols for various measures of outcome that provide a wide range of information on the heart, such as cardiac systolic and diastolic function, hemodynamics, coronary flow velocity, microvascular resistance, and infarct size. This protocol can be easily tailored to meet study specific requirements for the validation of novel cardioregenerative biologics at different stages (i.e. directly after the acute ischemic insult, in the subacute setting or even in the chronic MI once scar formation has been completed). This model therefore provides a useful translational tool to study MI, subsequent adverse remodeling, and the potential of novel cardioregenerative agents.

This protocol describes the porcine myocardial infarction (MI) model using a 90 min closed-chest coronary balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending artery (LAD), followed by reperfusion. Furthermore, the protocol for several outcome parameters, such as cardiac function, hemodynamics, microvascular resistance, and infarct size, are also presented.

Introduction of newly discovered cardiovascular therapeutics into first-in-man trials depends on a strictly regulated ethical and legal roadmap. One ...

Controlling Parkinson's Disease With Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation

Adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) has the potential to improve the treatment of Parkinson&#39;s disease by optimizing stimulation in real time according to fluctuating disease and medication state. In the present realization of adaptive DBS we record and stimulate from the DBS electrodes implanted in the subthalamic nucleus of patients with Parkinson&#39;s disease in the early post-operative period. Local field potentials are analogue filtered between 3 and 47 Hz before being passed to a data acquisition unit where they are digitally filtered again around the patient specific beta peak, rectified and smoothed to give an online reading of the beta amplitude. A threshold for beta amplitude is set heuristically, which, if crossed, passes a trigger signal to the stimulator. The stimulator then ramps up stimulation to a pre-determined clinically effective voltage over 250 msec and continues to stimulate until the beta amplitude again falls down below threshold. Stimulation continues in this manner with brief episodes of ramped DBS during periods of heightened beta power.
Clinical efficacy is assessed after a minimum period of stabilization (5 min) through the unblinded and blinded video assessment of motor function using a selection of scores from the Unified Parkinson&#39;s Rating Scale (UPDRS). Recent work has demonstrated a reduction in power consumption with aDBS as well as an improvement in clinical scores compared to conventional DBS. Chronic aDBS could now be trialed in Parkinsonism.

Adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) is effective for Parkinson&#8217;s disease, improving symptoms and reducing power consumption compared to conventional deep brain stimulation (cDBS). In aDBS we track a local field potential biomarker (beta oscillatory amplitude) in real time and use this to control the timing of stimulation.

Adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) has the potential to improve the treatment of Parkinson&#39;s disease by optimizing stimulation in real time ...

Clinical Assessment of Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in Patients and Older Adults

Spatial and temporal characteristics of human walking are frequently evaluated to identify possible gait impairments, mainly in orthopedic and neurological patients1-4, but also in healthy older adults5,6. The quantitative gait analysis described in this protocol is performed with a recently-introduced photoelectric system (see&#160;Materials table) which has the potential to be used in the clinic because it is portable, easy to set up (no subject preparation is required before a test), and does not require maintenance and sensor calibration. The photoelectric system consists of series of high-density floor-based photoelectric cells with light-emitting and light-receiving diodes that are placed parallel to each other to create a corridor, and are oriented perpendicular to the line of progression7. The system simply detects interruptions in light signal, for instance due to the presence of feet within the recording area. Temporal gait parameters and 1D spatial coordinates of consecutive steps are subsequently calculated to provide common gait parameters such as step length, single limb support and walking velocity8, whose validity against a criterion instrument has recently been demonstrated7,9. The measurement procedures are very straightforward; a single patient can be tested in less than 5 min&#160;and a comprehensive report can be generated in less than 1&#160;min.

This protocol is used to evaluate spatial and temporal gait variables of neurological/orthopedic patients and older persons by means of a recently-introduced floor-based photocell system.

Spatial and temporal characteristics of human walking are frequently evaluated to identify possible gait impairments, mainly in orthopedic and ...

Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Muscular Dystrophy Patients: Efficient Integration-free Reprogramming of Urine Derived Cells

Dystrophic cardiomyopathy is a poorly understood consequence of muscular dystrophy. Generating induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) from patients with muscular dystrophy is an invaluable cellular source for in&#160;vitro disease model systems and can be used for drug screening studies. Patient-derived urine cells have been used in successful reprogramming into induced pluripotent stem cells in order to model dystrophic cardiomyopathy1. Addressing the safety concerns of integrating vector systems, we present a protocol using a non-integrating Sendai virus vector for transduction of Yamanaka factors into urine cells collected from patients with muscular dystrophy. This protocol generates fully reprogrammed clones within 2&#8211;3 weeks. The pluripotent cells are vector-free by passage-13. These dystrophic iPSCs can be differentiated into cardiomyocytes and used either to study disease mechanisms or for drug screening.

This protocol entails detailed procedures for isolation of urine derived cells from muscular dystrophy patients; their efficient and rapid reprogramming through Sendai virus transduction.

Dystrophic cardiomyopathy is a poorly understood consequence of muscular dystrophy. Generating induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) from patients with ...

Using Saccadometry with Deep Brain Stimulation to Study Normal and Pathological Brain Function

The oculomotor system involves a large number of brain areas including parts of the basal ganglia, and various neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's and Huntington's can disrupt it. People with Parkinson's disease, for example, tend to have increased saccadic latencies. Consequently, the quantitative measurement of saccadic eye movements has received considerable attention as a potential biomarker for neurodegenerative conditions. A lot more can be learned about the brain in both health and disease by observing what happens to eye movements when the function of specific brain areas is perturbed. Deep brain stimulation is a surgical intervention used for the management of a range of neurological conditions including Parkinson's disease, in which stimulating electrodes are placed in specific brain areas including several sites in the basal ganglia. Eye movement measurements can then be made with the stimulator systems both off and on and the results compared. With suitable experimental design, this approach can be used to study the pathophysiology of the disease being treated, the mechanism by which DBS exerts it beneficial effects, and even aspects of normal neurophysiology.

This paper describes the use of quantitative measurement of eye movements in conjunction with stimulation of focal areas of the deep brain in order to study physiology, pathophysiology, and the mechanisms of deep brain stimulation.

The oculomotor system involves a large number of brain areas including parts of the basal ganglia, and various neurodegenerative diseases including ...

Multi-exon Skipping Using Cocktail Antisense Oligonucleotides in the Canine X-linked Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most common lethal genetic diseases worldwide, caused by mutations in the dystrophin (DMD) gene. Exon skipping employs short DNA/RNA-like molecules called antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) that restore the reading frame and produce shorter but functional proteins. However, exon skipping therapy faces two major hurdles: limited applicability (up to only 13% of patients can be treated with a single AON drug), and uncertain function of truncated proteins. These issues were addressed with a cocktail AON approach. While approximately 70% of DMD patients can be treated by single exon skipping (all exons combined), one could potentially treat more than 90% of DMD patients if multiple exon skipping using cocktail antisense drugs can be realized. The canine X-linked muscular dystrophy (CXMD) dog model, whose phenotype&#160;is&#160;more similar to human DMD patients, was&#160;used to test the systemic efficacy and safety of multi-exon skipping of exons 6 and 8. The CXMD dog model harbors a splice site mutation in intron 6, leading to a lack of exon 7 in dystrophin mRNA. To restore the reading frame in CXMD requires multi-exon skipping of exons 6 and 8; therefore, CXMD is a good middle-sized animal model for testing the efficacy and safety of multi-exon skipping. In the current study, a cocktail of antisense morpholinos targeting exon 6 and exon 8 was designed and it restored dystrophin expression in body-wide skeletal muscles. Methods for transfection/injection of cocktail oligos and evaluation of the efficacy and safety of multi-exon skipping in the CXMD dog model are presented.

Exon skipping is currently a&#160;most promising therapeutic option for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). To expand the applicability for DMD patients and to optimize the stability/function of the resulting truncated dystrophin proteins, a multi-exon skipping approach using cocktail antisense oligonucleotides was developed and we demonstrated systemic dystrophin rescue in a dog model.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most common lethal genetic diseases worldwide, caused by mutations in the dystrophin (DMD) gene. Exon ...

Primary Outcome Assessment in a Pig Model of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Mortality after acute myocardial infarction remains substantial and is associated with significant morbidity, like heart failure. Novel therapeutics are therefore required to confine cardiac damage, promote survival and reduce the disease burden of heart failure. Large animal experiments are an essential part in the translational process from experimental to clinical therapies. To optimize clinical translation, robust and representative outcome measures are mandatory. The present manuscript aims to address this need by describing the assessment of three clinically relevant outcome modalities in a pig acute myocardial infarction (AMI) model: infarct size in relation to area at risk (IS/AAR) staining, 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and admittance-based pressure-volume (PV) loops. Infarct size is the main determinant driving the transition from AMI to heart failure and can be quantified by IS/AAR staining. Echocardiography is a reliable and robust tool in the assessment of global and regional cardiac function in clinical cardiology. Here, a method for three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) in pigs is provided. Extensive insight into cardiac performance can be obtained by admittance-based pressure-volume (PV) loops, including intrinsic parameters of myocardial function that are pre- and afterload independent. Combined with a clinically feasible experimental study protocol, these outcome measures provide researchers with essential information to determine whether novel therapeutic strategies could yield promising targets for future testing in clinical studies.

Reliable and accurate outcome assessment is the key for translation of preclinical therapies into clinical treatment. The current paper describes how to assess three clinically relevant primary outcome parameters of cardiac performance and damage in a pig acute myocardial infarction model.

Mortality after acute myocardial infarction remains substantial and is associated with significant morbidity, like heart failure. Novel therapeutics are ...

Nerve-sparing Mid-urethral Obstruction (NeMO) in Female Small Rodents

Partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO) has a high prevalence, causes significant patient burden, and immense health care costs. The most common animal model to investigate bladder remodeling in pBOO are female rodents undergoing partial obstruction at the proximal urethra. Variability in the degree of obstruction and animal mortality are major concerns with proximal obstruction. Furthermore, dissecting around the proximal urethra and bladder neck jeopardizes bladder innervation.
We developed a nerve-sparing mid-urethral obstruction (NeMO) model for pBOO avoiding the disadvantages of the traditional model. We approached the urethra just inferior to the pubic symphysis, which obviated the need for laparotomy as well as for dissection in this area; also, the striated urethral sphincter remained untouched. We performed NeMO in female Sprague-Dawley rats (12 obstructions, 6 sham animals) as well as in female C57/bl6 mice (20 obstructions, 18 sham animals). After two weeks, we evaluated bladder function, bladder mass, and body mass.
We had no mortalities among obstructed- or sham-operated female rats; as described for the traditional proximal pBOO-method, we tied the suture around the proximal urethra and a temporarily placed 0.9 mm metal rod. NeMO induced an 85% increase in bladder mass after two weeks, average residual urine volume was 0.4 mL in partially obstructed rats while only 0.03 mL in sham animals. In mice, we tested 3 sizes of cannulas that we placed along the urethra when tying the suture. We found that using a 27-gauge cannula resulted in over 50% animal mortality; placing the 25-gauge cannula did not yield the desired response in increasing bladder mass; utilizing a 26-gauge cannula yielded favorable results with minimal animal mortality (1/8) yet a significant 2-fold increase in bladder mass.

Nerve-sparing Mid-urethral Obstruction NeMO in Female Small Rodents

Traditional modeling of partial bladder outlet obstruction in rodents is fraught with animal mortality. A denervation injury from dissection around the proximal urethra and bladder neck is also of major concern. We developed and evaluated a safe and reliable mid-urethral obstruction model, avoiding the shortcomings of the traditional model.

Partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO) has a high prevalence, causes significant patient burden, and immense health care costs. The most common animal ...