Investigating the link between military service and ALS in veterans
Official title: Military exposures and ALS in a large veteran population
Funded at Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-10880221 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different factors from military service, like the branch you served in and any brain injuries you might have had, could affect the chances of getting ALS, and it’s especially for veterans who want to understand more about their health risks and the role of certain medications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | September 29, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $422,727 |
| NIH project number | 5R01TS000338-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10880221 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans who have served in the military and may be at risk for ALS.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not served in the military or do not have a history of ALS or related conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines how factors such as military branch, occupation, deployment, and traumatic brain injury relate to the incidence and survival of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) among veterans. By utilizing a large database that combines data from the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration, the study aims to identify patterns and potential protective effects of medications like statins. The research will involve a case-control design, comparing ALS cases to matched controls based on age and sex, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of military exposures and their impact on ALS. This approach leverages extensive health and service records to provide insights into the risks associated with military service.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding of ALS risk factors in veterans and inform preventive strategies or treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated potential links between military service and various health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weisskopf, Marc G — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Weisskopf, Marc G
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.