Investigating how air pollution may increase the risk of ALS.

RFA-TS-24-010: Ambient Air Pollution as a Potential Risk Factor for ALS - Using a Multiomics Approach in a High-Quality Epidemiologic Study

['FUNDING_R01'] · KAROLINSKA INSTITUTE · NIH-11001265

This study is looking into how air pollution might be connected to ALS, using health records and samples from people with the condition in Sweden, to see if things like infections and changes in the body could play a role in how ALS starts and progresses.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorKAROLINSKA INSTITUTE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (SOLNA, SWEDEN)
Trial IDNIH-11001265 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research explores the potential link between air pollution and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using a comprehensive approach that combines data from a national ALS registry in Sweden. By analyzing biospecimens and health records, the study aims to understand how air pollution, along with infections, may influence the onset and progression of ALS. The researchers will focus on changes in protein expression related to oxidative stress, inflammation, and the gut microbiome to uncover possible mechanisms behind this relationship.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals at risk for ALS, particularly those with a family history of the disease or exposure to high levels of air pollution.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have any risk factors for ALS or those already diagnosed with advanced stages of the disease may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights for preventing ALS and identifying novel treatment targets.

How similar studies have performed: While the connection between air pollution and various health conditions has been studied, this specific investigation into ALS is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

SOLNA, SWEDEN

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.