Clinical trial NCT02572479: Evaluating the Potential of the Diet as Disease Modifier in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (JERN_ALS)
Official title: Observational Study for Evaluating the Potential of Diet and Food Components as Disease Modifiers in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (JERN_ALS)
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Conditions: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Dietary Habits
Disorder of Fatty Acid Metabolism
Keywords: fatty acids, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, nutrient status
Lead sponsor: University of Jena
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Jena University Hospital
First posted: 2015-10-09
Enrollment: 50
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 90
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Observational model: CASE_ONLY
Time perspective: PROSPECTIVE
Sampling method: NON_PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: ALS patients diagnosed according to El Escorial / Awaji criteria for ALS

Brief summary: The proposed observational trial will collect substantial data concerning dietary intake documented by ALS patients complemented by the analysis of fatty acid distribution in erythrocyte lipids. Both data sets are related to disease status and progress.

Detailed description: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a currently incurable, multifactorial motor neuron disease characterized by upper and lower motor neuron degeneration, skeletal muscle atrophy, paralysis, and death. Multiple mechanisms caused by genetic and environmental factors proposed as responsible for ALS pathogenesis include decreased availability to neurotrophic factors, disturbances in calcium metabolism, increased neuroinflammatory status, cytoskeletal changes, mitochondrial dysfunction, dysfunction of protein degradation, glutamate excitotoxicity, apoptosis and oxidative stress.

Currently, the only available drug to treat ALS is riluzole which slightly prolongs life. Nutritional management has become more important in the treatment of ALS because body mass index and nutritional status seems to be independent, prognostic factors for survival and disease complications. Malnutrition is common in ALS, so caloric supplementation is essential. Additionally, many ALS patients self-medicate with vitamins, herbs, and other dietary supplements.

The objective of the current project is establishing the link between nutritional intake and disease status and progress. In detail, we like to assess if the improved outcomes are associated with specific nutrients, or simply the provision of excess calories. In this context, one of the most promising dietary candidates are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and in particular the long-chain n-3 PUFA docosahexaenoic acid. This important structural component in neuronal membranes plays a role in neurogenesis and neuroprotection as well as exerts well-described anti-inflammatory effects in the brain.

The proposed observational trial will collect substantial data concerning dietary intake documented by ALS patients (Food Frequency Protocols, FFPs, periodic over 5 days) combined with the analysis of fatty acid distribution in erythrocyte lipids which reflects fatty acid distribution of the consumed fatty or oily foods (time period: approximately the last 2-3 months).

The fatty aids distribution in erythrocyte lipids as well as the nutrient intake calculated by FFPs are related to disease status and progress.

Thus, the current research activities focus on identification of dietary factors that are associated with disease progress or survival to develop beneficial interventions and therapy options.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* ALS patients diagnosed according to El Escorial / Awaji criteria for ALS
* patients should have the ability to comprehend the full nature and purpose of the study, to cooperate with the investigator, to understand verbal and written instructions, and to comply with the requirements of the entire study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* patient's request or if patient compliance with the study protocol is doubtful

Primary outcomes:
measure: Clinical neurological examination
timeFrame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Nutrient intake by diet
timeFrame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
measure: Fatty acid distribution in erythrocyte lipids
timeFrame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
measure: Blood lipids
timeFrame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
measure: Inflammatory parameter
timeFrame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
measure: Metabolic serum parameters
timeFrame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
measure: Clinical neurological examination, part II
timeFrame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Jena
country: Germany
facility: Jena University Hospital, Hans Berger Department of Neurology
state: Thuringia
Study officials:
affiliation: Jena University Hospital, Hans Berger Department of Neurology
name: Julian Grosskreutz, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: University of Jena, Department of Nutritional Biochemistry and Physiology
name: Christine Dawczynski, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: University of Jena, Department of Nutritional Biochemistry and Physiology
name: Stefan Lorkowski, Professor
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: