Understanding Environmental Factors in Veteran ALS Risk
RFA-TS-24-010: Persistent Environmental Toxicants in Veteran CNS Tissue: Identifying Exposures Determining Higher ALS Risk
This work looks into brain and spinal cord tissue from veterans to find environmental chemicals that might increase their risk of developing ALS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lebanon, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11163192 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We know that veterans face a higher chance of developing ALS compared to the general population, but the exact reasons are still unclear. This project aims to explore whether specific environmental chemicals, which veterans might have encountered during their service, play a role. By carefully examining central nervous system tissue, we hope to identify these persistent neurotoxicants. Our goal is to understand the link between these exposures and the higher ALS risk in veterans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work is relevant to veterans, particularly those who have developed or are at risk for ALS, and involves the study of central nervous system tissue.
Not a fit: Patients whose ALS is not linked to environmental exposures, or those who are not veterans, may not directly benefit from the specific findings of this particular work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us understand why veterans are at higher risk for ALS, potentially leading to new ways to prevent or treat the disease.
How similar studies have performed: This work builds upon existing literature and preliminary studies that suggest a connection between environmental factors and ALS risk, particularly in veteran populations.
Where this research is happening
Lebanon, United States
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic — Lebanon, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stommel, Elijah W — Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic
- Study coordinator: Stommel, Elijah W
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 below.