Dr. Eva Feldman, Director of the ALS Center of Excellence at Michigan Medicine, joined a panel to discuss ALS for “Family Health Matters,” which is a series produced by WGVU, the PBS affiliate in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In addition to Dr. Feldman, the program featured Sherry Schuen, who receives care at the U-M Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic, and Catie Matzka, the wife of Scott Matzka who received care at U-M and passed away due to ALS in 2018. The 30-minute show originally aired on May 5 as part of WGVU’s programming to highlight ALS Awareness Month.

Some of Dr. Feldman’s comments include:
“Michigan has one of the highest prevalences of ALS in the country. The Midwest has the highest. Between Michigan and Ohio we have more ALS patients than any other state, per capita.”

“We’re interested in why such a high prevalence in Michigan. Why are we essentially the No. 1 state in the country? We’re beginning to understand that. We think that the environment plays a very large part. Michigan is both an industrial and agricultural state, so we have a lot of toxins and pollutants in our environment. We have 65 uncleaned Superfund sites, which are toxic dumps, in the state of Michigan, compared to 39 in Ohio and Indiana with 40. We think there’s an environmental hit and if you have a genetic predisposition then you’re more likely to develop the disease.”

“There are at least eight different sub-types of this disease. Different people present differently. Some people present just with a weak arm or a leg. Some people present just with difficulty speaking. The tempo of the disease, how it progresses over time, really depends on the presentation.”

“We now know that about 15-20% of this disease is inherited and runs in families. There is something called a polygenic risk score. Little pieces of multiple genes may make you more susceptible to developing ALS if you have an second insult, such as an environmental insult.”

“My hope for the future is that with continued research we can understand what causes the disease. We’re much closer now than we were 10 years ago, so progress is being made. My hope is that there will be continued funding for the research by the government and by foundations. My hope is that our patients will continue to engage with us in trying to understand what causes the disease and how we can better treat the disease and how we can better understand all different aspects of the disease. Of course, my big hope is for a cure! It will always be that way.”

The University of Michigan baseball team held its inaugural ALS Awareness Game on May 7 when it defeated Michigan State, 7-0, at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium. In addition to promotional activities around the facility, both U-M and MSU wore #StrikeoutALS stickers on their batting helmets.

Showing their support for ALS Awareness, in addition to all affected by ALS, were the clinical and research teams from Michigan Medicine’s ALS Center of Excellence. Dr. Eva Feldman, director for the Center, and Dr. Stephen Goutman, clinical director for the Center, were on hand for the game. Dr. Goutman had the privilege of throwing out the first pitch.

The Michigan baseball program’s coaching staff has been significantly impacted by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. U-M Head Coach Erik Bakich and U-M Assistant Head Coach Nick Schnabel both played for East Carolina University during the 1999 and 2000 seasons under the direction of Head Coach Keith LeClair. In 2001, LeClair was diagnosed with ALS and he passed away in 2006. To honor their coach’s memory, both Bakich and Schnabel wear the number 23 jersey at U-M.

Feature Story – Coaching Third: Honoring the Impactful Man Who Inspired Two U-M Coaches

“First and foremost, I am very thankful for Coach Bakich, who requested our participation in the Strikeout ALS Game,” said Dr. Feldman, who is the Russell N. DeJong Professor of Neurology. “In our conversation leading up to tonight, I learned that he’s very devoted to helping us understand the cause of ALS and develop new treatments. He and Coach Schnabel have a direct connection to Lou Gehrig’s disease, so they have a deep-rooted appreciation for how important it is to continually research new ways to help patients and their loved ones.”

On the airwaves, play-by-play announcer Ira Weintraub spoke to Dr. Feldman during the second inning about the challenges of ALS and how she and her staff are fighting the disease.

“I am so appreciative for the University of Michigan baseball team’s continued efforts to raise awareness for ALS,” said Goutman, who is an associate professor of neurology. “Over the past seven months they have taken part in the Hot Pepper Challenge, Mustache March and, of course, Tuesday’s Strikeout ALS Game. In addition to research and patient care, part of our mission at Michigan Medicine’s ALS Center of Excellence is to educate our community, and an event like Strikeout ALS is a terrific opportunity to do just that. I hope we can make this an annual event. Personally, I enjoyed getting to throw out the first pitch, meeting the players and spending some time with Coach Bakich, who is passionate about ALS.”

Prior to and during the game, ALS Center of Excellence staff members distributed ALS information fliers, scorecards with “Strikeout ALS” emblazoned on them and answered questions from patrons. Several people stopped by to share a story about a loved one who had been affected by ALS.

Related:
Inaugural Strikeout ALS Baseball Game Set for May 7 (PNRD)
U-M Hockey, ALS Center of Excellence Continue Fight Against ALS (PNRD)

The University of Michigan baseball team will host rival Michigan State on Tuesday (May 7) at 6 p.m., in the inaugural Strikeout ALS Game, presented by Michigan Medicine’s ALS Center of Excellence.  The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network and broadcast in Ann Arbor on WLBY 1290 AM.

The Michigan baseball program’s coaching staff has been significantly impacted by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. U-M Head Coach Erik Bakich and U-M Assistant Head Coach Nick Schnabel both played for East Carolina University during the 1999 and 2000 seasons under the direction of Head Coach Keith LeClair. In 2001, LeClair was diagnosed with ALS and he passed away in 2006. To honor their coach’s memory, both Bakich and Schnabel wear the number 23 jersey at U-M.

Numerous activities and promotions are available throughout the evening as the baseball program continues its participation in generating awareness and support in the fight against ALS. The ALS Center of Excellence will have a table on the concourse to share information about research and treatment. Dr. Stephen Goutman, director of the U-M Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic, will throw out the first pitch. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a StrikeoutALS K Card. Both U-M and MSU will wear #StrikeoutALS stickers on their batting helmets.

Related: 
Promise to dying coach fuels Bakich (Michigan Daily)
Michigan Baseball participates in Mustache March for ALS (Twitter)
Michigan’s new mustaches are there for a reason (Michigan Daily)

University of Michigan Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic Director Dr. Stephen Goutman joined Cynthia Canty on Michigan Radio’s Stateside program on Wednesday (April 10) to discuss the connections between the progression of ALS and organic toxins, like pesticides and industrial chemicals.

Listen to the complete Stateside Interview

Related: Michigan’s manufacturing legacy may be affecting our health, environment (Detroit Free Press)

Related: Pesticide exposure may lead to faster ALS progression, UM study shows (M Live)

Related: Pesticide exposure contributes to faster ALS progression (Michigan Lab Blog)

Dr. Goutman presents at Ann Arbor Active Against ALS Meeting.

Stephen Goutman, M.D., Director of the Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic at Michigan Medicine, gave a presentation at the Ann Arbor Active Against ALS Annual Meeting of the Board and Membership on Monday (March 11), at the A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building on the University of Michigan’s Medical Campus. Attendees also met researchers while touring the research laboratory of the ALS Center of Excellence at Michigan Medicine, which is under the direction of Eva Feldman, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Goutman presented the ALS Center of Excellence’s groundbreaking research to target natural killer cells in the effort to slow ALS progression. Following a video from Ben Murdock, Ph.D., who is the principle investigator of the study, Dr. Goutman informed the audience how how they are investigating existing drugs that target natural killer cells to be re-purposed for the treatment of ALS.

Ann Arbor Active Against ALS is a grassroots, nonprofit organization whose mission is to raise funds for research toward effective treatments and ultimately a cure for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), while raising awareness of the disease, encouraging physical activity, and building a compassionate community. A2A3 celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2018. Its next fundraiser is the Twinkie Run on April 1. Click here for registration details.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A new study helps determine the role of pesticides and pollutants during the course of the progressive neurodegenerative disease that has no cure.

While exact causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remain unknown, new research shows pesticides and other environmental pollutants advance the progression of the neurodegenerative disease.

The latest study from the University of Michigan ALS Center of Excellence, recently published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry (a BMJ journal), supports the group’s 2016 research that found increased levels of numerous pesticides in blood tests of people with ALS, says senior author Eva Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., director of U-M’s ALS Center of Excellence.

“Our latest publication shows that other toxins like polychlorinated biphenyls, known as PCBs, are also elevated in ALS patients and correlate with poor survival,” says Feldman, a Michigan Medicine neurologist. “Our research shows that environmental pollution is a public health risk that we believe must be addressed.”

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rapidly progressive disease that causes people to lose their ability to move their limbs and body.

Read the full story on the Michigan Medicine Health Lab Website

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan Program for Neurology Research & Discovery and the ALS Center of Excellence were saddened to learn about the passing of Scott Matzka following his fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Matzka, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2014, was treated by the physicians, nurses, specialists and researchers from the U-M Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic throughout his disease progression. Always resolute in his battle, he did everything in his power to help others with ALS by being an advocate for public awareness and understanding of the disease.

Scott Matzka drops the puck prior to the inaugural ALS Awareness Game on October 8, 2016.

“Scott’s steadfast courage facing ALS will endure as an inspiration to all of the clinicians and researchers at the University of Michigan ALS Center of Excellence. Scott, his wife Catie, and his entire family have made an indelible impact on the community by raising awareness about ALS. Scott will be dearly missed,” said Eva L. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., director of PNR&D and the ALS Center of Excellence.

Matzka played four seasons (1998-2001) for the University of Michigan hockey team, helping the Wolverines capture the national championship in 1998. He graduated in 2001 with a B.S. in computer science. Matzka went on to have a 12-year professional career in North America and Europe.

Following his ALS diagnosis, Matzka made it his mission to raise awareness for ALS with his “My Turn” foundation. In the fall of 2016, Matzka, the U-M hockey team, and the U-M ALS Center of Excellence teamed up to create the inaugural ALS Awareness Game. The first game was held October 8, 2016, with subsequent events were held February 23, 2018, and October 26, 2018. The games were an opportunity to draw attention to the critical need to find better treatments for those suffering from ALS.

“To me, it’s very important because you never know who is in the stands — a donor to help the cause, a student who might go into neurology to help cure ALS, or someone who can relate to that is inspired by the message,” said Matzka in the fall of 2018. “It is always hard to judge because awareness can’t really be measured. My Turn is an awareness campaign. We’ve raised money for several organizations and partnered with the Susan Mast ALS Foundation (in Grand Rapids, Michigan) to start the My Turn Project Fund to help others with ALS in western Michigan with construction projects. In my mind, we’ve been very successful educating and informing people about ALS and raised significant funds to help with my care.”

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan Program for Neurology Research & Discovery (PNR&D) has received a $1.5 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as announced by Eva Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., director of the PNR&D on Tuesday (November 20). The three-year grant supports research into environmental risk factors for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

“This is a scientific extension of work that allows us to further understand the mechanistic role that pollutants or toxins have on the development and progression of ALS,” said Stephen Goutman, M.D., M.S., associate professor of neurology, and a co-investigator on the grant.

The grant supports Drs. Feldman and Goutman’s continuation of a 2016 CDC-funded study exploring links between environmental toxins, like persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and ALS risk. POPs are toxic classes of chemicals that have been used as pesticides, flame retardants, and coolants that survive in the environment despite banning. Their previous study,  Association of environmental toxins with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (JAMA Neurology; July 1, 2016), suggested an association between higher concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and the risk of having ALS.

“Everything that you’re exposed to throughout your life has an effect on your genes,” said Feldman, the Russell N. DeJong Professor of Neurology. “While we cannot say that exposure to pesticides definitively causes ALS, we can point to the fact that in patients who have ALS, their long-term exposure to persistent organic pollutants is five times higher than those who don’t have ALS.”

While the exact cause of ALS is currently undefined, recent evidence suggests the importance of genetic susceptibility and environmental risk factors. Upcoming research will explore the lifetime of environmental exposures that contribute to an individual’s risk for ALS. Advanced analyses of metabolomics –  how small molecules in cells interact within a biological system – will offer insight into the role of residential and occupational exposures in disease onset.

Although studies to date have focused on the state of Michigan, PNR&D recognizes the importance of its data on all ALS community members. Accomplished by understanding specific environmental risk factors, measuring pollutants in biosamples of participants, and environmentally-induced genetic changes, results are expected to improve medical understanding of ALS. Data will enable future studies into gene-environment interactions, and ultimately assist in ALS prevention.

Ari Weinzweig gives the keynote address.

ANN ARBOR – Ann Arbor Active Against ALS, a non-profit organization, held its 10-Year Anniversary Gala on Saturday (Nov. 10) at the Travis Pointe Country Club. Ari Weinzweig, co-founder of Zingerman’s Delicatessen and a board member of the ALS Center of Excellence at Michigan Medicine, gave the keynote address, while Ann Arbor Active Against ALS Board President Michael Meister was the master of ceremony. Also in attendance from the ALS Center of Excellence were Research Director Eva Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., and Managing Director Mike Ritter, M.D.

Ann Arbor Active Against ALS is a grass-roots organization that was formed in the summer of 2008, after a group of friends and colleagues of Dr. Bob Schoeni learned of his ALS diagnosis. Dr. Schoeni and his wife, Dr. Gretchen Spreitzer, were an inspiring presence at the gala. They demonstrated the reason for the love and friendship of the volunteers and board of directors of this group, and their dedication to the cause of fighting ALS through funding research.

Dr. Feldman with Dr. Schoeni and Dr. Spreitzer.

Ann Arbor Active Against ALS raises money with numerous annual events and donates those funds to various national research programs, including our own University of Michigan Assistant Professor Sami Barmada, M.D., Ph.D. Since its founding in 2008, Ann Arbor Active Against ALS has raised more than $550,000 dollars to support ALS research. To read more about this outstanding organization, please visit its website, activeagainstALS.org.