Exposure to Neurotoxins as Risk Factors for ALS

Completed

Conditions studied: ALS

In brief

Chemicals called neurotoxins can harm the nervous system. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disease affecting movement. Researchers have studied many possible causes of ALS, including injury, diet, and exposure to chemicals, but these studies were inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure to lead or other neurotoxins can contribute to ALS. The study also evaluated lifestyle and dietary patterns. The study was completed in 1994-1996. One hundred eighty-two participants took part in this study 110 patients with ALS and 72 who did not have ALS. Each completed a questionnaire concerning lifestyle, diet, and residential, job, and medical history. Participants contributed 50 cc of blood, used to measure lead, as well as clippings of their toenails, used to measure mercury and other metals. They then underwent an XRF test (an X-ray procedure) to measure the level of lead in their shinbones and knees. Genes related to ALS or susceptibility to lead exposure were also evaluated.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT00340301

Run by

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

People needed

397

Starts

2003-06-03

Expected to finish

2019-01-23

Last updated by the study team

2019-01-25

Who can join

Age: any. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may not qualify if…

• Potential controls were excluded if they had a physician diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disease, polio, post-polio syndrome, or nondiabetic neuropathy.
• Pregnant women were excluded from both case and control groups.

Where it is running

• New England Medical Center — Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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