By now, we have all probably seen the Ice Bucket Challenge. It is wonderful that people from all walks of life come together to use social media for such good. The unity and generosity of hundreds of thousands of participants from different backgrounds has done even more than lead to donations of tens of millions of dollars to nonprofit organizations in the name of ALS, it has raised awareness of this devastating condition.
Many people now know about ALS – amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a devastating condition in which patients develop progressive muscle weakness leading to paralysis and death by respiratory failure, typically within 2-3 years of the first symptoms. The urgency of finding a cure is nationally recognized.
How do researchers intend to cure ALS? One of the first steps is to figure out what genes are damaged and lead to the disease. To find these genes, scientists are comparing the DNA of people with the disease to the DNA of people who do not have it. After genes are identified, the hope is that therapies will be developed to target what is damaged. In several diseases, it has already been shown that some people will respond better to one treatment over others because of the DNA they carry.
A troubling fact is that African Americans do not often volunteer for genetics research studies. As an African American and an ALS researcher at the National Institutes of Health, I rarely receive and study DNA from African Americans. Without African-American DNA in research studies, it is unclear how often we get ALS. That, frighteningly, has the potential to leave African Americans out of the equation when effective treatments for the disease are developed. It also hinders us scientists from learning everything about the disease regardless of ethnicity. We need comprehensive information about DNA from all backgrounds to know more precisely how the disease works.
So, what can African Americans do to help take us toward a cure for ALS? Here are a few steps to consider:
1) Enroll in a genetics research study if you are suffering from ALS or a disease like ALS. Donating DNA is quick and simple. It can be a blood donation. If you are scared of needles, you can donate saliva.
2) If you are not suffering from ALS, educate yourself about the disease so that you can disseminate the information to help others make informed decisions about study enrollment.
3) Volunteer with nonprofit organizations on outreach initiatives.
The last several months have shown that the spread of information and action can allow us to bond as human beings and have a profound impact on others. The ALS community is grateful to have seen a range of people – from our sisters and brothers, to our neighbors, to athletes like LeBron James, entertainers such as Lady Gaga, and political leaders such as President George W. Bush, take up the Ice Bucket Challenge and take notice of ALS.
I’m now challenging African Americans to help us continue on the path to a cure by doing what it takes to make sure we are included in genetics study of ALS. My research team is conducting a study. If you or a family member are affected with ALS or a related disorder, we hope to hear from you. You can e-mail us at cc100h@nih.gov to find out more.
Janel Johnson, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Neurogenetics
National Institute on Aging
National Institutes of Health
