Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a degenerative neurological condition that causes a loss of voluntary movement as the disease progresses. Every year, approximately 5,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS.
To date, several drugs have been approved by the FDA to slow the progression of this disease however none of them can reverse the damage already caused by ALS or cure the condition. Researchers around the world are working to change that, however they need your help to succeed.
Donor studies collect samples from individuals suffering from a medical condition in order to help researchers find new treatments. Most donor studies involving degenerative neurological conditions like ALS collect blood, urine and spinal fluid samples, collectively referred to as biofluids. You will be informed of which biofluids are being collected prior to your enrollment in a donor study.
Donated samples are frozen and then stored in a secure, central location until needed for research. Biofluid samples are also stored without any information that could be used to identify you. Biofluid samples are then provided to scientists working at academic centers and drug development companies around the world to facilitate their research efforts.
Biofluids have played a vital role in advancing our understanding of many diseases. In ALS, biofluid specimens are being used by scientists to better understand the underlying mechanisms that cause this disease thus bringing us closer to finding effective treatments. Biofluid specimens also help us discover indicators called biomarkers that can identify the presence of a disease. Blood pressure and blood sugar testing are two commonly used biomarker tests for identifying high blood pressure and diabetes. In ALS, biomarkers would not only be useful in identifying the presence of this condition but also in monitoring for disease progression and measuring a patient's response to treatment.
The need to find a cure for ALS has never been more urgent. MedVadis Research is committed to ALS research and is working with members of the Boston community afflicted with this disease in the fight against ALS. If you have been diagnosed with ALS and want to help, please consider participating in an ALS donor study. Together we can find a cure.
Healthcare insurance is not required and you may be reimbursed for your time.
A biofluid collection donor study. Donor studies play a critical role in the earliest stages of research, and can help accelerate the discovery of treatments capable of reversing the neurological damage caused by ALS and ultimately curing the disease.
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