This study will identify living veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) through a national registry that is being developed. Diagnosis of ALS will be verified by study neurologists via medical record review. Registry participation includes a bi-annual telephone interview to collect functional status data.

Primary Objective: To identify as completely as possible all veterans with ALS and to collect data which will be available for approved studies examining the cause(s) of ALS.

Secondary Objective: To provide a mechanism for the VA to inform veterans with ALS about clinical trials and other studies for which they may be eligible.

Primary Outcomes: Identification of all living veterans with ALS.

Intervention: N/A

Study Abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset, rapidly fatal neuromuscular disease of unknown etiology. ALS is a disease of high priority to the VA, particularly due to ongoing concerns about the health of veterans who served in the Gulf War. Efforts are needed to systematically identify and track veterans with ALS. Accordingly, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is developing a national registry of veterans diagnosed with ALS.

Research Design: The registry will not be designed to test specific hypotheses but will focus on comprehensive identification of veterans with ALS who may be eligible for other studies.

Methodology: Eligible participants will include all living veterans with a physician diagnosis of ALS. Veterans with possible ALS will be identified through VA medical records, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), and self-referral. Neurologists with expertise in ALS will review veterans' medical records to verify the diagnosis and determine eligibility. Upon enrollment, veterans will be asked to complete a brief telephone interview. Registry participants will also be contacted by telephone biannually to assess health and functional status. The VA may notify registry participants about clinical trials for which they may be eligible. A Scientific Review Committee will evaluate all studies that request use of registry data and/or access to Registry participants.

Results: N/A

Impacts: The registry will provide the VA with a valuable mechanism for involving veterans in clinical trials and other studies that may yield improved outcomes for ALS. In addition, data gathered as a part of the registry has the potential to benefit not only veterans, but also the larger community of individuals with ALS.

• Allen KD, Kasarskis EJ, Bedlack RS, Rozear MP, Morgenlander JC, Sabet A, Sams L, Lindquist JH, Harrelson ML, Coffman CJ, Oddone EZ. The National Registry of Veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neuroepidemiology. 2008;30(3):180-90. Epub 2008 Apr 18.
• DiMartino L, Allen KD, Kasarskis E, Lindquist JH, Coffman CJ, Oddone EZ; National Registry of Veterans with ALS. Characteristics associated with participation in DNA banking: The National Registry of Veterans with ALS. Contemp Clin Trials. 2007 Sep;28(5):572-82. Epub 2007 Jan 27.
• Pastula DM, Coffman CJ, Allen KD, Oddone EZ, Kasarskis EJ, Lindquist JH, Morgenlander JC, Norman BB, Rozear MP, Sams LA, Sabet A, Bedlack RS. Factors associated with survival in the National Registry of Veterans with ALS. Amyotroph Lateral Scler. 2008 Aug 7;:1-7 [Epub ahead of print]
• Schmidt S, Allen KD, Loiacono VT, Norman B, Stanwyck CL, Nord KM, Williams CD, Kasarskis EJ, Kamel F, McGuire V, Nelson LM, Oddone EZ. Genes and Environmental Exposures in Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: the GENEVA study. Rationale, study design and demographic characteristics. Neuroepidemiology. 2008;30(3):191-204. Epub 2008 Apr 18.
• Khishchenko N, Allen KD, Coffman CJ, Kasarskis EJ, Lindquist JH, Morgenlander JC, Norman BB, Oddone EZ, Rozear MP, Sabet A, Sams L, Bedlack RS. Time to diagnosis in the National Registry of Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler. 2009 Jan 19;:1-8 [Epub ahead of print]
• Kasarkis EJ, Dominic K, Oddone EZ. The National Registry of Veterans with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Department of Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program (CSP) #500a. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Other Motor Neuron Disord. 2004 Sep;5 Suppl 1:129-32.
• Kasarskis EJ, Dempsey-Hall L, Thompson MM, Luu LC, Mendiondo M, Kryscio R. Rating the severity of ALS by caregivers over the telephone using the ALSFRS-R. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Other Motor Neuron Disord. 2005 Mar;6(1):50-4.

Inclusion Criteria:

Living veteran with ALS verified via medical record review.

Exclusion Criteria:

Veteran whose medial records did not verify an ALS diagnosis.