Co-funded by The ALS Association and Focused Ultrasound Foundation
Opportunity Has Closed
Focused Ultrasound and ALS Research Grants support the preclinical and clinical development of new focused ultrasound applications that could improve the treatment and diagnosis of ALS.
Overview
Focused ultrasound is a noninvasive technology that has shown potential for directly accessing areas of the brain involved in the development and progression of ALS. Based on the results of an initial clinical trial, it is possible to safely use magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound to temporarily, and reversibly, open the blood-brain barrier of people with ALS. The blood-brain barrier is a protective layer of tightly joined cells that lines the blood vessels in the brain and prevents harmful substances, such as toxins and infectious agents, from diffusing into the surrounding brain tissue. It can also prevent therapeutic agents from getting into the brain or potential biomarkers, such as neurofilament light chain (NfL), from getting out.
By temporarily disrupting this barrier, focused ultrasound offers the opportunity for targeted delivery of therapeutics that otherwise would not be able to get into the brain. It could also permit trafficking of NfL and other biomarkers into the circulation for earlier and more sensitive detection.
In addition to its effects on the blood-brain barrier, researchers are also testing noninvasive neuromodulation using focused ultrasound in clinical trials for an assortment of neurological diseases. In ALS, the intention is to noninvasively modulate the motor cortex with the goal of improving function.
While this early research has opened up new potential avenues for treating and diagnosing ALS, critical questions remain. That is why The ALS Association and Focused Ultrasound Foundation are extending up to $1 million in research funding through their Focused Ultrasound and ALS Research Grants. These grants will support both preclinical and clinical research projects intended to develop new focused ultrasound applications that advance the treatment and diagnosis of ALS.
To view the full request for proposals, click here.
Scope
While all projects related to the use of focused ultrasound technology for ALS will be considered, the selection committee will prioritize projects that address blood-brain barrier opening and neuromodulation.
Some potential areas of interest related to blood-brain barrier opening include:
- Investigating the safety of focused ultrasound blood-brain barrier opening in the motor strip by analyzing the kinetics of NfL release into the circulation and effects on motor function.
- Enhancing our knowledge of biomarker release with focused ultrasound blood-brain barrier opening, including but not limited to proteomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics.
- Researching the ability of focused ultrasound blood-brain barrier opening to enhance the delivery of various classes of therapeutics for ALS, including but not limited to existing approved medications, gold nanoparticles, antisense oligonucleotides and other gene-targeted therapies.
Some potential areas of interest related to neuromodulation include:
- Evaluating the safety of focused ultrasound neuromodulation in the motor strip by analyzing the kinetics of NfL release into the circulation and effects on motor function.
- Demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of focused ultrasound neuromodulation to the motor cortex.
Funding and Eligibility
The amount of research funding awarded will be based on the type of project. Preclinical research projects will be funded for up to 2 years with a total budget between $150,000–$200,000. Clinical research projects will be funded for up to 3 years (with an option to extend based on patient recruitment) with a total budget between $300,000–$600,000. Project budgets outside those ranges will be considered on a case-by-case basis with sufficient justification.
Applicants must hold a faculty appointment as a tenure-track assistant professor or higher rank at award activation. In addition, the project must be collaborative and include at least one focused ultrasound researcher and one ALS expert.
Deadlines
- Letter of Intent Due Date: October 2, 2023, 5 p.m. U.S. EDT
- Full Proposal Due Date (by invitation only): December 1, 2023, 5 p.m. U.S. ET
Submissions
All applications should be submitted through the Focused Ultrasound Foundation’s online portal. Please be sure to select the ALS track.
Questions
If you need assistance identifying an expert for your team or have other questions related to the application process, please contact Emily White, M.D., managing director of operations for the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, at ewhite@fusfoundation.org.
