Understanding how work-related exposures and genetics affect ALS risk
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-10909768 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for people who might be at a higher risk for ALS because of their jobs, especially those in production and metal work, to see how their work and genetics might affect their chances of developing the disease over time.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $500,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01TS000344-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10909768 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who work in production occupations or have had significant exposure to occupational metals and are concerned about their risk for ALS.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have occupational exposure to metals or who are not in high-risk occupations may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to establish a cohort of individuals who are at higher risk for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) due to their occupational exposures, particularly in production jobs and metal exposure. By monitoring these individuals over time, the study will investigate how these non-genetic factors interact with genetic predispositions to influence the onset of ALS. Participants will provide valuable data that could help identify cumulative risk factors for ALS and inform prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies for ALS, potentially reducing the incidence of this devastating disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a strong association between occupational exposures and ALS risk, suggesting that this approach could yield meaningful insights.
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
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating how DNA damage and repair mechanisms are altered in ALS and frontotemporal dementia.
This study is looking at how problems with DNA repair might contribute to conditions like ALS and frontotemporal dementia, and it’s testing ways to fix these issues in cells from patients to help develop new treatments.
-
CNM-Au8 Expanded Access for ALS patients across the U.S.
A wide-access program is testing CNM-Au8, a neuroprotective medicine, for people with ALS across all 50 states.
-
Access to CNM-Au8 for people with ALS
This program offers people with ALS access to CNM-Au8, an experimental oral therapy that aims to protect motor neurons and support cellular energy.
-
Biomarker test for early ALS diagnosis using Nano-QuIC detection of misfolded TDP-43
A new blood, spinal fluid, or nasal swab test using Nano-QuIC aims to detect misfolded TDP-43 early in people at risk for ALS to speed up diagnosis and treatment.
-
Engineered regulatory immune cells to protect nerves in ALS
Engineered regulatory immune cells (CAR Tregs) that seek out misfolded SOD1 and calm inflammation around motor neurons in people with ALS.
-
Using engineered immune cells to treat ALS
This study is exploring a new way to help people with ALS by using specially designed immune cells to target harmful proteins in the body, with the hope of reducing inflammation and slowing down the disease.
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.