Why is nutrition vital for advancing ALS care and clinical research?

Figures & data

Table 1 Comparison of paradigms for ALS interventional studies.

Aspect	ALS Rodent Study	Human ALS Clinical Drug Trial
Genetics	Inbred; genotype known	Outbred
Temperature/Humidity	Controlled; no variation	Variable
Light/Dark Cycle	12 hrs light; 12 hrs dark	Self-choice; variable
Nutrition	Controlled and standardized; no variation; ad libitum access	Not standardized but ad libitum access; use of a PEG tube variable; nutritional status not measured
Hydration	Ad libitum access	Ad libitum access; may be limited by dysphagia
Alcohol/Recreational Drugs	No exposure	Self-choice; variable
Smoking	No exposure	Self-choice; variable
Drug Intervention: Active vs Placebo	Controlled administration Exposure to single drug	Multiple prescribed medications and over-the-counter nutraceuticals Single experimental intervention