Evaluating the Potential of the Diet as Disease Modifier in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (JERN_ALS)

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.