RESEARCH: Clinical Trials

back to Clinical Trials

EXERCISE AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN ALS

The causes of ALS still elude the medical and scientific community. One of the proposed mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of the disease is oxidative damage to the motor neurons. To this end, we are currently enrolling subjects (both ALS patients and healthy participants) for a pilot study to investigate the physiologic and biochemical responses following a routine cardiopulmonary stress test.

Exercises are known to induce oxidative stress and inflammation in our bodies. Yet, routine regular exercises are advocated by the medical community, because they promote both psychological and physical well being and enhance the cardiac function. Our bodies have the innate ability to counteract and adapt to external stimuli to achieve a new homeostasis. Ramp incremental bicycle aerobic exercise is a brief test (5-15 minutes) that is routinely used to safely determine people’s cardiopulmonary functional status. Using this test as a tool, we will determine if the oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers are indeed different for ALS patients than for others. The study involves a screening visit at the Columbia Eleanor and Lou Gehrig’s Center, where medical history, physical examination, EKG, spirometry, and routine blood tests will be performed. The test itself will take place on another date scheduled with the Cardiopulmonary Stress Test Lab at Columbia Presbyterian Milstein Hospital. Serial EKGs, spirometry, physical examination, blood and urine samples will be obtained for safety measures and for analysis of the oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers. Upon completion of the exercise test, you will be monitored at our Irving Center for Clinical Research for 4 hours. An overnight stay is required for ALS patients and optional for healthy participants. A final measurement of the blood and urine samples is obtained at 24-hour after the exercise test. This pilot study will help us better understand the oxidative stress response in people with ALS versus in controls. The results may potentially be used to develop new therapeutic measures for ALS patients.

If you are interested in learning more or participating in this encouraging pilot study, please contact us at alscenter@columbia.edu.