MetALS - Metabolism and ALS v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
MetALS: Metabolism and ALS A study to investigate the role of metabolic parameters and body composition on disease phenotype and progression in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
IRAS ID
237766
Contact name
Ammar Al-Chalabi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
Understanding the factors that affect the development and progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Motor Neuron Disease, is crucial. There is emerging evidence of a role played by altered energy handling (metabolism). Patients with ALS lose weight, and this reduces quality of life and contributes to death from the disease. It seems that the weight loss experienced by people with ALS is greater than can be explained by loss of muscle and reduced intake of food: there may be a mismatch between the energy taken in and the energy expended.
People who expend more energy than expected are described as hypermetabolic, and are more likely to end up in a state of energy deficit. This study is designed to find out whether patients with ALS are more likely to be hypermetabolic than healthy individuals. We will measure the metabolic rates and body composition (fat mass and fat-free mass) of people with ALS and compare them to healthy controls. We will explore some of the possible causes of any differences, and see if there is any relationship to how the disease presents in an individual, and to prognosis. We will assess how body composition and metabolism change as the disease progresses.
Patients with ALS will be recruited from MND clinics in London, and healthy controls will be recruited from amongst their friends and relatives. Patients will attend for repeated measures every 4-6 months for 2 years. Controls will only have to attend once.
We hope that this will expand our knowledge of what happens to the body in ALS, and the sorts of metabolic changes that occur in the disease. This deepened understanding may help to develop treatments aimed at reducing weight loss and fatigue, and improving survival.
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0925
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jun 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion