Clinical Research Directory

Data Collection of Standard Care of Patients in the EMG Section

Background: Most people who are referred to the EMG (Electromyography) Section of the NIH are enrolled into specific active studies. This allows researchers to learn about a range of rare neuromuscular disorders. But study criteria may not give researchers the chance to evaluate a single person or study a common symptom. Therefore, researchers want to assess people with neuromuscular disorders who are not currently enrolled in any NIH studies. They will perform tests on these individuals in the EMG Lab. Then they will create a repository of data that may be used for future research. This will help them learn more about these disorders. Objective: To retain data that is collected as part of participant visits to the NIH. Eligibility: People aged 18 and older who will be visiting the NIH for evaluation of their neuromuscular disorder. Design: Participants will be screened with a medical record review. Participants will have a physical exam. They will be evaluated for their neuromuscular disorder. They may have tests to learn more about how their nerves and muscles work that are called nerve conduction and EMG studies. Their muscles and nerves may be assessed with an ultrasound. Their ability to sweat may be measured. Their heart rate and blood pressure may be taken. Changes to their breathing or changes in their body position may be measured. Participant data will be given a unique numerical identifier that can be used if the data is shared. Data will be stored on a server and in a database. Participants will have 1-2 visits. Each visit will last less than 4 hours. They may be contacted for a follow-up visit.