Crowdsourcing Project Predicts Progression of ALS

sciencehabit writes Using data from old clinical trials, two groups of researchers have found a better way to predict how amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progresses in different patients. The winning algorithms—designed by non-ALS experts—outperformed the judgments of a group of ALS clinicians given the same data. The advances could make it easier to test whether new drugs can slow the fatal neurodegenerative disease. For the competition, participants were given just a slice of this data set, collected over 3 months, and asked to design an algorithm to predict how patients would fare in the subsequent 9 months, according to a standard functional scale that measures their ability to move and care for themselves. When predictions from the two winning algorithms were combined, they outperformed estimates solicited from a dozen ALS clinicians who pored over the same data, the authors report. They estimate that using these algorithms to predict outcomes could allow a drug sponsor to reduce the size of the trial by at least 20% and save as much as $6 million in a large phase III trial.

Comments

Re:Cost savings - so what?

[sconeu]

My late wife was in a clinical trial for ALS. Unfortunately, it didn't work and there was no Phase3 III. We also found out after the fact she was in the placebo group.

But you're absolutely right intoit, if you're ever unlucky enough to lose the ALS lottery (or have your SO do so), you will grasp at every fucking straw that comes your way. If that includes becoming a pin cushion or a guinea pig, you do it.