The Lawrence R. Barnett Research Council

The first chairman of The ALS Association in 1985, Lawrence R. Barnett is often called the grandfather of The ALS Association.  Barnett’s support for ALS research began more than three decades ago, when the wife of a friend was diagnosed with ALS and passed away.  In a tribute to Barnett’s tireless support of The ALS Association and its work to find a cure for ALS, the National Board of Trustees has named the Research Council in his honor.

Help Lead the Way to a Cure for ALS

Our global research effort, TREAT ALS (Translational Research Advancing Therapy for ALS), is an international effort catalyzing research critical to understanding and treating ALS—and finding a cure.  Partnering with academia and industry to test the potential of new therapies, TREAT ALS harnesses tools for scientific advancement—laboratory research, model systems for ALS, the development of biomarkers—to drive a process that culminates in clinical trials. 

Research projects, supported by members of the Lawrence R. Barnett Research Council, have helped to increase the number of scientists working on ALS, advanced innovative treatments and breakthroughs, and shed light on the complex genetic and environmental factors involved in ALS.  Some of the remarkable accomplishments are:

• Genetic Discoveries, providing a wealth of new model systems, each bringing us closer to a better picture of what goes wrong in ALS.
• SOD1−responsible for 20 percent of all familial ALS cases. (1993)
• TDP-43−linked to 4-5% of familial as well as sporadic forms of ALS. (2008)
• FUS(Fused in Sarcoma)−linked to 5% of familial ALS cases. (2009) 
• C9ORF72− most common cause of ALS and FTD.  (2011) 
• Development of a mouse model that closely mimics ALS in humans and provides researchers vital information about the disease. (1994)
• IPS (Induced Pluripotent Stem cells) developed into human motor neurons, the cells of the nervous system destroyed by ALS. (2008) 
• Clinical Trials, groundbreaking and the first of their kind:
• FDA-approved stem cell trial for people with ALS. (2010)
• ISIS-SOD1 antisense drug trial aimed at inhibiting production of the SOD1 gene. (2010)

The pace of new discoveries is encouraging.  When you become a member of The Lawrence R. Barnett Research Council with a gift of $1,000 or more, you help deliver hope to people living with ALS.

Benefits to Membership:

• As a Lawrence R. Barnett Research Council member we invite you to join our monthly research webinars hosted by Chief Scientist, Dr. Lucie Bruijn.   A renowned ALS researcher is featured each month to present breakthroughs and updates in research.   Following the presentation, questions are welcomed and encouraged from all participants.   Information for the webinars is posted on our website at www.alsa.org on the page titled “Our Research.” 
• As a member of the Research Council, you will also receive The Association’s Research ALS Today publication and periodic Research Updates providing up-to-date information about ALS research and cutting-edge findings.
• Your meaningful support will be recognized with a personalized certificate of thanks.

Research Council Membership Levels

Visionary Level    $20,000 and above

Innovator Level   $10,000 to $19,999

Leader Level       $5,000 to $9,999

Partner Level      $1,000 to $4,999