Department of Defense Research Funding
Issue: Recent reports have highlighted the necessity to understand more about how environmental factors may be involved in ALS. Over the past years, several studies have been published determining whether heavy metals, organic solvents and other environmental factors are involved in ALS. Currently, interest has been renewed with reports of the two-fold increase of ALS in Gulf War Veterans. In addition, studies to determine whether there is a higher incidence of ALS at Kelly Airforce Base are currently being undertaken. Many scientists believe ALS is likely to be a combination of environmental factors and genetics, making one person more susceptible than another when exposed to the same toxins.
The ALS Association recognizes the need to further investigate this area. These studies are expensive and need to be done with appropriate control groups to be sure that data is valid. Recruiting patients into the study and the involvement of many multidisciplinary teams is crucial to moving efforts forward. If indeed there is an increased incidence in either Kelly Airforce Base employees or Gulf War Veterans, the next step would be to try and identify what the factor or factors are and understand how this leads to motor neuron degeneration. These efforts are invaluable for understanding disease mechanism and ultimately the development of therapies.
Position: Request the Department of Defense to continue to allocate federal funds for research to better understand how environmental factors may be involved in ALS.
Key Members:
Senate Appropriations Committee (Defense Subcommittee)
Senate Armed Services Committee
House Appropriations Committee (Defense Subcommittee)
House Armed Services Committee
Update from Last Year: On September 30, 2003, the President signed the FY 2004 DoD Appropriations bill which included $50 million to be spent on researching 21 different diseases, including ALS. ALS was one of only a handful of diseases to be included in both FY03 and FY04 budgets showing that Members of Congress recognize the importance of continued ALS research. Furthermore, this year's language was even more favorable than last year's because it includes fewer diseases which are eligible for a piece of the pie meaning that ALS will likely receive more money this year. In March, 2004 we learned that the PRMRP awarded a $1.1 million grant for ALS research was awarded to Dr. Li Niu at the New York State University at Albany for research into glutamate receptor aptamers and ALS. Dr. Niu is an ALSA funded researcher who has enjoyed a productive relationship with ALSA. He was also a recent participant in ALSA's Young Investigator's Workshop. This grant marks the first ever funding of ALS-specific research by the Department of Defense.
Action for DOD Research Funding
If you would like to get involved in advocating for the DOD Research Funding issue, please contact ALSA's Advocacy Department, toll free at: 1-877-444-2572 or via e-mail at: advocacy@alsa-national.org. You can also get involved by writing a letter to your Representative.
