Investigating brain-derived vesicles for tracking ALS progression and environmental impacts.
Official title: Brain-derived extracellular vesicles as a novel source of biomarkers for disease progression and environmental exposure in ALS
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10732756 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at tiny particles in your blood to find clues about how ALS changes over time and how the environment might affect it, which could help improve how we track and treat the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2020 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $653,821 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES029971-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10732756 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other neurological disorders or those not diagnosed with ALS may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on analyzing brain-derived extracellular vesicles to identify potential biomarkers that could indicate disease progression and environmental exposure in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). By examining these vesicles, the study aims to uncover new insights into how ALS develops and progresses, which may lead to improved monitoring and treatment strategies. Patients may be asked to provide blood samples, which will be analyzed for specific markers associated with ALS. The research employs advanced techniques in molecular biology and biochemistry to explore the relationship between these biomarkers and ALS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection and better management of ALS through the identification of reliable biomarkers.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of extracellular vesicles as biomarkers is a growing field, this specific approach in ALS is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Re, Diane Berengere — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Re, Diane Berengere
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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.