Could environmental factors in Central Virginia be linked to ALS clusters
Official title: Detection of novel environmental risk factors in the recently identified ALS clusters in Central Virginia
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11418689 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study exploring whether local environmental exposures in Central Virginia are connected to clusters of ALS cases and what this could mean for prevention.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2025 |
| Project end | September 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $299,999 |
| NIH project number | 5U01TS000350-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418689 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals living in or near the identified ALS hotspots in Virginia may participate through public health actions and future studies.
✕Less likely to help
People outside the identified hotspots or those not exposed to the specific environmental factors studied may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project looks at unexpected ALS hotspots in Virginia and asks if local environmental factors, like substances found in drinking water, might contribute to higher risk. By mapping cases and testing water samples, researchers aim to see if exposure to a chemical called dtBHQ could influence motor neuron health. If a link is found, it could guide public health actions to reduce exposure and protect at-risk communities. The work involves communities near identified hotspots and a Veterans Affairs/ALS network partner to translate findings into practical steps.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If a connection is confirmed, communities could benefit from targeted environmental interventions and guidance to reduce exposure risks for ALS.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown spatial clustering and environmental links in neurodegenerative diseases, but this project tests a novel environmental exposure (dtBHQ) in ALS hotspots.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deshpande, Laxmikant S — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Deshpande, Laxmikant S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
IOP and CSF Pressure in Glaucoma Risk
This grant studies how eye pressure and cerebrospinal fluid pressure together influence glaucoma risk and vision loss.
-
ALS risk factors in a long-term ALS study
A long-term ALS study is looking at which factors may influence disease risk and progression in people living with ALS.
-
Understanding how work exposures and genes influence ALS risk
A study is building a long-term group of people at higher risk for ALS to see how their jobs, exposures at work, and genes together affect if and when the disease might develop.
-
P-CARRS-BRAIN: Predicting Alzheimer’s risk in South Asians in India using genetic, behavior, and vascular data
Aims to predict Alzheimer’s disease risk in middle-aged South Asians by combining genetic, lifestyle, and vascular information to catch early changes before dementia develops.
-
P-CARRS-BRAIN: Predicting Alzheimer’s risk in South Asians in India using genetics, behavior, and vascular data
Aimed at people 21 and older, this project looks at how biology, behavior, and blood vessel health together may signal the early risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in South Asians.
-
Understanding how risk factors affect progression of cirrhosis and response to statins in patients with cirrhosis
This project follows people with cirrhosis to see what factors speed up their liver disease and whether statin medicines help prevent worsening.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.