ALS GENES Project The ALS Genetic-Environmental Epidemiology Study (ALSGENES for short) is an exciting new project headed up by Dr. Mitsumoto and funded by MDA National (Muscular Dystrophy Association) and MDA Wings Over Wall Street fund. Dr. Mitsumoto and his research team wish to examine the interaction between any factors we are exposed to in the environment such as lead in paint, for example, and any life styles we might choose such as cigarette smoking, that may trigger any as yet unknown genes in humans to cause ALS, a devastating neurodegenerative disease. This study employs the methods of epidemiology (the scientific study of the patterns and frequencies of disease in people for the purpose of better understanding the causes of disease) and genetics, the study of human genes. To kick off the study, a panel of ALS experts from across the United States was assembled at Columbia University early in February for a two-day meeting to discuss many of the most complex issues related to ALS. Noted experts included (in alphabetical order) are: Dr. Ammar Al-Chalabi, Dr. Carmel Armon, Dr. M. Flint Beal, Dr. Robert H. Brown, Dr. Edward Kasarskis, Dr. Valerie McGuire, Dr. Robert G. Miller, Dr. Lorene Nelson, and Dr. Teepu Siddique, Dr. Lorene Nelson, and Dr. Valerie McGuire. Columbia faculty participating in the consensus meeting included the Co-Principle Investigator, Dr. Ruth Ottman of the G.H., Sergievsky Center of Columbia University, and Dr. Conrad Gilliam, Director of Columbia Genome Center, Dr. Paul Gordon, Center Associate Medical Director, Dr. Arthur Hays, Dr. Michio Hirano, Dr. Petra Kaufmann, Dr. Andreas Kottmann, Dr. Ali Naini, Dr. Lewis P. Rowland, the Founder of our Center, and Dr. Serge Przedborski, Center Research Director. As a result, the foundation for a comprehensive questionnaire to collect data on the interaction of the world around us and the genes within us was laid. To unravel the mystery of ALS, we have to investigate mechanisms by which motor neurons selectively become diseased, how motor neurons degenerate, and what are the triggering environmental and genetic factors. In the near future we will be bringing you more information about this innovative study. Grace Hillyer, M.P.H. ALSGENES Study Coordinator