Research News

Brandy Quarles, B.S.
Lead Research Associate

Hi, I am Brandy Quarles, Lead Research Associate at the Georgia Regents University ALS Clinic.  I am a 2010 graduate of Augusta State University, where I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. Since 2003, I have been fascinated with neurological conditions and those interests lead me to Dr. Rivner in 2010. We have worked hard to insure every effort is made to provide a very active clinical research program. Listed below are summaries of our current ALS Trials. Each trial has specific criteria that a person must meet in order to participate.  If you are interested in any of these trials please call me, or my assistant Kailynn Cooper, at and we will be happy to assist you. 

*Please note:  We will periodically be adding new studies so please check this site for updates.

Current Research Trials

• BENEFIT ALS TRIAL
  This is a multi-center trial of the drug Tirasemtiv in ALS.  A preliminary trial of this drug has shown it to improve muscle strength.  It is hoped that this drug, by improving muscle strength, will improve respiratory function and survival in ALS.  This trail is sponsored by Cytokinetics and NEALS.  We are currently enrolling patients in this trial.
• Muscle Metabolism in ALS
  This is a collaborative trial with Dr. Kevin McCully at the University of Georgia and is sponsored by Biogen IDC.  The purpose of this trial is to see if muscle metabolism can be measured by MRI and if this can measure the progression of ALS.  We are currently enrolling patients in this trial.
  
• Antibodies in ALS
  This is a collaborative trial with Dr. Robert Yu in our Research Institute.  We are studying blood and CSF samples of patients with ALS to see if we can find markers for this disease.
• Fingolimod in ALS (future study)
  In this study, we will be studying the oral MS drug Fingolimod to see if this slows down the progression of ALS. The study is being sponsored by ALSTDI in cooperation with MDA and NEALS.