About Champion Insights
The Champion Insights Program is a focused research initiative, led by Answer ALS and Augie's Quest to Cure ALS, designed to better understand why certain populations, such as military personnel and high performing athletes, are diagnosed with ALS at higher rates than the general public. These individuals are not selected because of accolades, but because of an observable pattern: they have a greater chance of developing ALS, and we need to understand why.
Champion Insights is committed to identifying the underlying biological mechanisms and potential risk triggers contributing to this elevated incidence. The study aims to accomplish this by examining genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors through the ALS Therapy Development Institute’s in-home clinical participation program, using cutting-edge multi-omics analysis, and openly sharing the data through the Neuromine Data Portal.
Collecting data is only the starting point. Real value comes from asking the right questions: What differentiates those at higher risk? Are there identifiable biomarkers? Can these insights accelerate the development of targeted treatments?
Champion Insights is a strategic step forward in ALS research: focused, data-driven, and collaborative. The findings from these higher-risk populations could help uncover new disease pathways, inform broader ALS research, and ultimately bring us closer to meaningful treatments.
The Program
State-of-the-art remote-participation research seeks to understand how genetic factors linked to high performing activities and lipid metabolism may increase ALS susceptibility
Investigate Genetic and Metabolic ALS Risk Factors in High-Performing Populations
Champion Insights leads efforts to uncover why high performing athletes, military service members, and potentially other at-risk groups face a 25% higher risk of ALS by studying genetic and metabolic factors linked to both group characteristics and ALS susceptibility. These findings will drive discoveries that lead to more targeted therapies.
Enable Broad Participation Through Remote Research Capabilities
The program uses ALS Therapy Development Institute's
state-of-the-art remote participation tools to collect blood samples and clinical data from participants at home or in their clinic, removing geographical barriers and empowering high-risk groups like athletes and veterans to contribute to ALS research, starting with Steve Gleason as participant #1.
Enhance Global ALS Research Through Open Access
Champion Insights will integrate its genetic, clinical, and omics data with the Neuromine Data Portal, openly sharing with global researchers to accelerate insights into ALS pathways and support breakthroughs for these groups and ultimately all those living with ALS.
Next Steps
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Enrollment plans to begin in November 2025.
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The study aims is to enroll 500 participants.
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You can find additional information about study criteria and data collection in our FAQ.
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If you believe that you may qualify and are interested in participating, please complete the Contact Us form below.
To receive general updates on Champion Insights, please sign up for our email alerts here.
The Numbers
Among the most perplexing aspects of ALS is the observed higher incidence among certain populations, including high-performance athletes, military personnel, and first responders, who have an approximately 25%+ higher incidence of ALS.
29%
A 2017 meta-analysis found a 29% increased ALS risk across 9 studies for those who served in the military.
25%+
High performance and professional athletes have a 2–4 times higher risk of developing ALS or an average of 25%.
90%
Of all ALS cases are considered sporadic with no known family history or yet to be identified genetic cause.
Collaborators
Answer ALS, the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), and Augie’s Quest, in collaboration with OnPoint Scientific, are launching Champion Insights, an ambitious research initiative designed to uncover critical genetic and metabolic mechanisms that may explain the significantly higher incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) among endurance athletes, military service members, and potentially other high-performing populations.
Answer ALS
Answer ALS is the most comprehensive ALS research consortium in history, producing more ALS data and biological samples than has ever been amassed, while openly sharing with the global research community. These data and samples are used to investigate the unique pathways of each variation of ALS and begin to develop and test the right treatments or cure. Answer ALS is an unprecedented approach to understanding and defeating the disease.
Headquartered in New Orleans and Washington, D.C., Answer ALS stands at the forefront of global efforts to eradicate the disease, supported by research partners and advocates worldwide.
ALS Therapy Development Institute
The ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) is the first and largest nonprofit research institute dedicated solely to discovering and inventing effective treatments for ALS.
ALS TDI takes a multifaceted approach to ending ALS—inventing and advancing targeted treatments, identifying causes and risk factors, and cultivating a research ecosystem in which ALS drug development is effective and efficient. In its state-of-the-art labs, ALS TDI researchers drive drug discovery across multiple stages, working to advance the many therapies necessary for addressing the various types of ALS.
Augie's Quest
Founded by Augie Nieto, Augie's Quest to Cure ALS is the unwavering force driving breakthroughs in ALS research, defying limitations, and empowering hope for a future without this devastating disease. We are dedicated to funding innovative research to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure, while advancing the field and translating scientific knowledge into real-world solutions.
OnPoint Scientific
OnPoint Scientific (OPSI) empowers organizations to harness their data’s potential through customized, expert-led solutions. From comprehensive project delivery with clear milestones to integrating specialized domain experts, OPSI delivers tailored strategies with precision. Leveraging advanced tools and deep industry expertise, we drive efficient, impactful results. OPSI helps transform complex challenges into opportunities for success.
Partners | Sponsors
News
As an aviator, we trained to operate at our best, physically, mentally, and professionally. That relentless pursuit of excellence is something we take pride in. Now, science is beginning to uncover that some of the same traits that drive high performers, whether in the military, athletics, or beyond, may also be linked to increased ALS risk. That’s why Champion Insights is so important. It can help us explore the ‘why’ to unlock answers. We owe it to every warrior, competitor, and teammate impacted by ALS to keep searching,”
Matt Bellina, retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander and person living with ALS.
August 13, 2025
United for Answers: Leading ALS Organizations Announce ‘Champion Insights’ to Unlock Why Athletes and Military Members Face Higher ALS Risk
State-of-the-art remote-participation research seeks to understand how genetic factors linked to intense activities and lipid metabolism may
increase ALS susceptibility
NEW ORLEANS, August 13, 2025 — Answer ALS, in collaboration with ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) and Augie’s Quest, today announced the launch of Champion Insights, an ambitious research initiative designed to uncover critical genetic and metabolic mechanisms that may explain the significantly higher incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) among endurance athletes, military service members, and potentially other high-performing populations.
Contact Us
Champion Insights intends to begin enrolling in late November. If you are interested in participating or have specific questions, please connect below.
Support Champion Insights
If you want to donate to support Champion Insights, you can make a contribution through Answer ALS or Augie's Quest to Cure ALS. Click on either logo above to get started.