Every May, ALS Awareness Month draws attention to one of the most devastating neurological conditions. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of muscle control, speech, and the ability to breathe, while the mind often remains intact. It affects an estimated 300,000 people globally, with most patients living just two to five years after diagnosis.
While a few treatments may help slow progression in some cases, there is still no cure, making ongoing research and clinical trial participation essential for advancing care.
ALS Network is committed to advancing research while building a more inclusive and equitable ALS community—ensuring access to care, support, and clinical trials for all. As part of this effort, we at TrialX are proud to support ALS Network through our AI-powered clinical trial finder, helping connect patients and caregivers to relevant ALS research studies.
The ALS Clinical Trial Finder, powered by TrialX, offers two ways to get started,
Guided Search: A Step-by-Step Way to Find Relevant Trials
The guided search is built for people who want a clearer, more supported experience. It opens with a brief, plain-language introduction to what clinical trials are and what participation typically involves, including risks and benefits.
From there, users answer a short set of questions — about their location, age, ALS diagnosis, and willingness to travel. The finder uses these responses to surface studies that may be relevant to them specifically.
This approach is particularly valuable in ALS, where eligibility criteria can vary significantly between studies — by disease stage, breathing function, or genetic profile.
Search On Your Own
For those who prefer to explore independently, the self-directed search gives users full control to browse and filter available ALS studies. This option works well for people who already have some familiarity with clinical research, or who are looking for something specific — whether that’s a trial focused on a particular symptom or a study offering remote participation.
Available filters include location, trial phase, study type, remote or in-person options, and keywords.
Direct contact options are also included, making it easy to reach out to a study team.
A Few Ongoing ALS Clinical Trials Currently Recruiting Participants
- Evaluating Verbal Communication in Structured Interactions
Sponsor: Penn State University
This interventional study is exploring how different types of communication settings affect speech in people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Individuals with ALS may experience changes in speech, and this study aims to better understand how interaction—such as speaking with another person—impacts clarity and communication.
Participants will complete a series of speech tasks, including reading words and sentences both independently and in interactive settings with another person. By comparing these different scenarios, researchers hope to better understand how communication challenges vary and how they might be improved. The study will assess aspects such as speech clarity, intelligibility, and communication patterns to gain insights that could help improve support and interventions for people with ALS.
Location: Recruiting at Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States.
Learn more about the study and see if you may be eligible to participate.
- Intestinal Microbiome Transplant in ALS
Sponsor: Duke University
This study is looking at a new approach to ALS that focuses on the gut. Researchers are exploring whether altering the intestinal microbiome—the community of bacteria in the digestive system—can influence how the disease progresses.
Participants will receive an investigational microbiome-based therapy over a 24-week period, following a short course of antibiotics. Throughout the study, researchers will track safety and monitor changes using clinical evaluations, blood tests, and stool samples.
By examining both biological markers and patient outcomes, the study aims to better understand whether targeting the gut could open new directions for ALS treatment.
Location: Recruiting at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, United States.
Learn more about the study and see if you may be eligible to participate.
- NYSCF Scientific Discovery Biobank
Sponsor: New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute
This observational study is building a large, diverse biobank to support research across a wide range of diseases, including ALS. By collecting biological samples such as blood, skin, and saliva, researchers aim to create stem cells that can be used to better understand how diseases develop and progress.
These stem cells can be transformed into different cell types in the lab, allowing scientists to study conditions in ways that may not be possible otherwise. Genetic analysis is also used to explore how DNA may influence disease risk and outcomes.
Participation involves providing samples and health information, which may contribute to future discoveries, including potential treatments or cures.
Location: Recruiting at the New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute in New York, New York, United States.
Learn more about the study and see if you may be eligible to participate.
- PHENOGENE-1A (Cromolyn) Treatment in ALS
Sponsor: PhenoNet, Inc.
This Phase 2 clinical trial is evaluating PHENOGENE-1A (cromolyn) as an add-on treatment for people with mild to moderate ALS. The study compares two dose levels against a placebo to assess its impact on physical function, breathing capacity, and markers of inflammation.
Participants will receive treatment for 24 weeks while continuing standard care, with researchers tracking changes using established ALS outcome measures. The study aims to better understand whether this approach can help slow disease progression or improve function.
Locations: Recruiting across multiple sites in the United States and internationally.
Learn more about the study and see if you may be eligible to participate.
- PREVENT ALL ALS Study
Sponsor: St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix
This observational study focuses on individuals who are genetically at risk for ALS but do not yet show symptoms. The goal is to better understand early biological and clinical changes that may occur before the disease develops.
Participants will be followed for up to three years through a combination of in-person and remote visits, contributing health data, blood samples, and digital assessments such as speech recordings. The study is part of a larger national effort to build a shared dataset that can support future ALS research and earlier intervention strategies.
Locations: Recruiting across multiple sites in the United States.
Learn more about the study and see if you may be eligible to participate.
Making Clinical Trials Easier to Find for the ALS Community
Finding the right clinical trial starts with knowing it exists. ALS Awareness Month highlights an important truth—research only moves forward when people can find and take part in studies. Whether someone is newly diagnosed, a caregiver exploring options, or someone living with ALS and looking for what’s next, the ALS Clinical Trial Finder helps make that search easier.
Every search, every question, and every step toward participation helps move research forward—not just for one person, but for the entire ALS community.
