Exposure to Neurotoxins as Risk Factors for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

June 30, 2017 updated by: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Ascertainment of Death in ALS Patients

This study is a follow-up to an earlier study that examined the relationship of This study will examine whether exposure to neurotoxins, such as lead, mercury, solvents, and pesticides, can contribute to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The cause of this degenerative disease of the brain and spinal cord is not well understood. Some studies suggest that exposure to environmental neurotoxins may increase its risk. This follow-up study will examine the relationship of neurotoxin exposure to the interval between the diagnosis of ALS and death. It will also examine the possible roles of genetics, lifestyle and dietary factors in the disease. Information on ALS patients previously enrolled in the study will be used to examine this relationship. No new individuals will be enrolled in the study.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

Objective: The objective of this proposal is linkage with the National Death Index (NDI) for cases from a study that was conducted in the early 1990's. The purpose of the initial study was to examine the role that lead and other exposures, including mercury and solvents, play in the etiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Study population: The study involved 110 ALS cases and 256 population based controls, recruited in New England between 1993 and 1996. Data collection involved an interview, blood collection, and measurement of bone lead using x-ray fluorescence.

Design and outcome parameters: The results of this study suggested that lead exposure was a risk factor for ALS. Compared to controls, cases were more likely to have occupational lead exposure, and both blood and bone lead levels were higher in cases. We are presently analyzing data on other neurotoxic exposures including mercury, solvents, and pesticides. In order to investigate prognosis, we would like to determine the date of death by searching the National Death Index. This information will enable us to evaluate the relationship of neurotoxic exposures to ALS prognosis.

Study Type

Observational

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • North Carolina
      • Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States, 27709
        • NIEHS, Research Triangle Park

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

  • INCLUSION CRITERIA:

The purpose of the NDI search will be to verify death and obtain date and cause of death information for the study participants.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

August 6, 2002

Study Completion

April 21, 2008

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 19, 2006

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 19, 2006

First Posted (Estimate)

June 21, 2006

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 2, 2017

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 30, 2017

Last Verified

April 21, 2008

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 999902275
  • 02-E-N275

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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