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Exposure to Neurotoxins as Risk Factors for ALS

NCT00340301 · Status: COMPLETED · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 397

Last updated 2019-01-25

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

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.

Conditions

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

    lead NIH

Principal Investigators

  • Freya Kamel, Ph.D. · National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Eligibility

Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2003-06-03
Completion
2019-01-23

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT00340301 on ClinicalTrials.gov