Understanding ALS Risk in Workers with Certain Occupations
Official title: RFA-TS-23-001: Establishing the Cohort for Occupational Risk and Prevention Studies for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS CORPS)
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11113782 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is creating a group of people at higher risk for ALS to learn how their jobs and genes might lead to the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | September 29, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $500,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01TS000344-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11113782 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this effort are individuals who have a higher risk for ALS, particularly those with a history of working in production occupations or with occupational metal exposures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who already have ALS or those without the specific occupational risk factors being studied may not directly benefit from this particular research.
What this research studies
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a serious condition that affects nerve cells, and we believe it comes from a mix of life experiences and genetic factors. We've noticed that people in certain production jobs and those exposed to metals at work might have a higher chance of developing ALS. This project will follow a group of individuals who are at a higher risk, especially those with specific job histories and metal exposures. By watching their health over time, we hope to understand how their environment and genes work together to cause ALS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify key risk factors for ALS, leading to new strategies for preventing the disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous case-control studies have shown a link between certain occupations and metal exposures with a higher risk of ALS, providing a foundation for this prospective cohort.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goutman, Stephen — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Goutman, Stephen
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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.