Have you been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease? Are you at least 18 years of age?

If you answered yes to these questions, you may be eligible for the Mexiletine II study.

What is the goal of this study?

The main purpose of this study is to determine whether treatment with the drug Mexiletine suppresses cortical hyperexcitability in patients with the sporadic form of ALS, and whether it slows the progression of the disease.

You may qualify for the study if you:

• Have symptom onset of weakness or spasticity due to ALS within the past 60 months before screening for the study.

What is involved if I participate?

• Participants come for a total of four in-person visits while on the drug or placebo over the course of one month, and take part in one telephone visit.
• Blood biomarker samples will be drawn and stored for use through the NEALS (Northeast Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Consortium) Biorepository.

If you are interested in participating or want to learn more, please contact Danielle Rowlands, RN, or David Lacomis, MD, at (412) 864-2873 or (412) 647-1706 or email us at doerdx@upmc.edu.