Understanding ALS Research
ALS Arizona supports a wide breadth of specific fields of study that are critical to advancing ALS research.
Research Areas
Some of the research fields of study we actively support are:
Assistive Technology
Research that improves communication, mobility, and everyday independence for people living with ALS—testing devices (e.g., speech and eye-tracking tools), software, and smart-home solutions for real-world usability and access.
Biomarkers
Measurable signs of disease in blood, spinal fluid, imaging, or digital signals (like speech) that help detect ALS earlier, track progression, and show whether a treatment is working—speeding smarter, faster trials.
Clinical Studies
Observational studies and clinical trials that translate lab discoveries into better care and potential treatments—often with flexible in-person or remote participation options so more people can take part.
Cognitive Studies
ALS can affect thinking, behavior, and communication for some people. Researchers track changes in memory, language, decision-making, and mood—using neuropsychology, speech analysis, and imaging—to tailor care and design trials that account for ALS-FTD spectrum features.
Disease Mechanisms
Why motor neurons degenerate: investigating protein handling, RNA biology, inflammation, and cellular stress to identify the most promising treatment targets.
Disease Models
From patient-derived iPSC motor neurons and organoids to validated animal models, these tools let scientists study how motor neurons degenerate and rapidly screen potential therapies before they advance to human studies—making research faster and more predictive.
Drug Development
From target identification and repurposed medicines to rigorous testing and access pathways, this work turns scientific insights into potential treatments for people with ALS.
Environmental Factors
Studies examine how environment and lifestyle interact with biology in ALS—looking at workplace and community exposures, air quality, prior injuries, and other influences. Large datasets and geospatial methods help identify modifiable risks and inform prevention strategies.
Genetics
How ALS-linked genes (e.g., C9orf72, SOD1) and molecular pathways drive disease—and how that knowledge enables targeted therapies tailored to the individual.
Nanotechnology
Nanoscale carriers are being engineered to cross the blood–brain/spinal barrier and deliver therapies precisely to motor neurons. Ultra-sensitive nano-sensors also aim to detect ALS biomarkers earlier, improving monitoring and treatment response.
Natural History Studies
Long-term, real-world tracking of people with ALS—clinic measures plus digital assessments at home—maps how the disease changes over time. These data set objective baselines, power clinical trials, and help determine whether new treatments truly shift the trajectory.
Precision Medicine
Genetic and molecular profiling, combined with biomarkers, guides the “right treatment for the right person” in ALS. This approach helps match candidates to targeted therapies, monitor response, and optimize dosing as new options emerge.
Stem Cells
Using patient-derived cells and animal models to study ALS in controlled settings—revealing mechanisms and screening therapies before they reach clinical trials.
You Are Part of the Solution
Your participation and support will help ALS Arizona fund research to find treatments and drive for a cure to END ALS.