Investigating how genetics and environment affect amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Official title: Genetic and environmental modifiers of pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Funded at Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital · NIH-10950345 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how head injuries might be linked to ALS in military veterans and how certain genes could affect the severity of the disease, with the hope of finding new ways to understand and treat these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bedford, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2022 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005161-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10950345 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include military veterans diagnosed with ALS, CTE, or both conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of ALS or CTE, or those who do not have a history of traumatic brain injury, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the relationship between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), particularly in US military veterans who are at higher risk due to increased head injury prevalence. The study aims to understand how genetic factors, specifically variations in the TMEM106B gene, influence the severity and presentation of ALS and its comorbidity with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). By analyzing a large cohort of individuals with ALS and CTE, researchers will collect and examine DNA, RNA, and protein samples to identify potential genetic risk factors and biomarkers. This systematic approach could lead to new insights into disease mechanisms and inform future drug discovery efforts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the identification of new treatment targets and biomarkers for ALS and CTE, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the investigation of genetic modifiers in ALS is ongoing, this specific approach combining TBI and genetic analysis in a veteran population is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital
Bedford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stein, Thor — Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital
- Study coordinator: Stein, Thor
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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.