# Synapticure launches a study for presymptomatic ALS patients

This study will assess the tolerability and efficacy of Riluzole in presymptomatic individuals who carry a pathogenic or likely-pathogenic gene variant.

Pre-symptomatic ALS Launch from Synapticure on Vimeo

[Watch on Vimeo](https://vimeo.com/818546149?fl=pl&fe=vl)

## Eligibility requirements

### 18 years and older  
Anyone 18 years old and older who is a carrier of a pathogenic or likely-pathogenic ALS-associated gene variant and is presymptomatic or asymptomatic.

### Carry a genetic variant  
You are likely eligible to enroll if you carry a variant in _ANXA11_, _C9orf72_, _CHMP2B_, _FUS_, _SOD1_, _KIF5A_, _NEK1_, _OPTN_, _PFN1_, _TARDBP_, _TBK1_, _VAPB_, _VCP_, or _UBQLN2_, or other ALS-associated genes that have been categorized as likely-pathogenic.

### Virtual Access  
You must be able to meet virtually via a telemedicine platform on a monthly basis with their Synapticure care coordinator, every three months with their Synapticure neurologist _and_ twice yearly with an independent neurologist for a face-to-face visit.

### Costs  
Visits may be covered by insurance, may require a co-pay, or may be an out-of-pocket expense. The co-pay for most Synapticure patients falls between $0-40 per visit, and we estimate medication will cost less than $20 per month.

[Learn more](/content/blog/presymptomatic-irb-approved-study-launch/index.html)

## Physician Spotlight

### Jaime Hatcher-Martin, MD  
Synapticure’s Movement Disorder team is led by Dr. Jaime Hatcher-Martin, a long-standing advocate for the use of telemedicine to democratize expert neurological care and reduce patient burdens. Prior to joining Synapticure, Dr. Martin practiced at Emory University where she started her own telemedicine clinic for patients with movement disorders in Georgia in 2016, and SOC Telemed (now Access Telecare).

### Danielle Geraldi-Samara, MD  
Synapticure’s Neuromuscular Service Line is led by Dr. Danielle Geraldi-Samara, a fellowship trained neuromuscular specialist with a career-long focus on ALS and other motor neuron diseases. Dr. Geraldi-Samara launched and supervised two community based ALS clinics prior to joining Synapticure.

## Getting started

### Make an appointment  
[Register here](https://my.synapticure.com/) for Synapticure and schedule an intake call. No worries — the intake is 100% free and allows us to talk about your diagnosis and current health-related needs.

### Talk to our team  
After deciding to continue care with Synapticure, schedule a followup with one of our amazing Neurology specialized doctors. We'll talk as long as we need to understand your history—no cutoff times.

### We'll do the rest  
We'll gather your full medical history and coordinate with your Primary doctor, if you wish to keep us secondary. Prescription refills, and follow-up visits from your phone.

## Everything in one place  
We coordinate genetic testing and counseling in order to place you in the right clinical trials. We navigate insurance for you, to make sure the medication you need is covered. Our list of in-house services is continually growing, with mental health and psychiatry support on the way.

## Hear what other patients are saying

Mindy Uhrlaub: "In 2020, my mom died of C9orf72 ALS. For the last three years, I've cried tears of frustration and grief when I've thought about my family's gene mutation. For the first time, I'm crying tears of joy. This observational study for premanifest gene carriers like me is a game-changer. It could potentially buy me time and give my kids hope for a future without ALS."