RESEARCH: Clinical Trials

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GENETIC AND EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDY

Design

• A study of genetic and environmental factors that may be associated with ALS.
  
  
• One structured interview administered either in-person or via telephone (duration approximately 1½ -2 hours). In-person includes the interviewer going to the subject's home for the interview if necessary.
  
  
• Blood draw for DNA analysis (approx. 30 ml). Blood draws are done at the clinic but can also be at a subject's home or at their local doctor's office for convenience.

Eligibility

• Case:
  
  • Diagnosis of ALS as determined by the El EScorial ALS Diagnostic criteria, which includes: suspected, possible, laboratory-supported probable, probable and definite.
    
    
  • Duration of disease must be <18 months since symptom onset.

• Controls:
  
  
  • One 1st degree relative and/or one non-blood, married-in relative of the person with ALS such as a sister or brother in law. If neither of these are possible, then we can accept a community control. I there is a married-in control, then we would also like to enroll a sibling of that control.
    
    
  • The sibling and married in controls are preferably of the same gender as the patient and within 5 years of the age of the patient. However, this is not an absolute requirement.
    
    
  • must be 18 years of age or older
    
    
  • must be English speaking
    
    
  • must be able to speak for him or herself
    
    
  • Must be able to tolerate speaking for a 1½ to 2 hour interview although if necessary, this interview could be split into two sessions if stamina is an issue.

For further information, please contact Kate Dalton: keb2114@columbia.edu and phone number (212) 305-2027.