Experimental treatment shows promise in patient with rare genetic form of ALS

Measuring blood levels of toxic TDP-43 protein in astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles — packets of cellular material released from star-shaped brain support cells called astrocytes — may help diagnose amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a new study from U.S. researchers. Tests showed that differences in TDP-43 levels inside these…

My husband, Todd, and I were having a discussion with a visitor in which our guest told us about his back pain and trouble sleeping. “You know what you should do?” Todd began. “Instead of getting out of bed, hire nighttime help, and they can roll you to your side…

ALS has changed the way I do everyday tasks. While I had to adopt some changes quickly — like giving up my driving privileges and no longer preparing meals — others crept in over time, like changes to the clothes I wear and my handwriting. What I found interesting,…

People with a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) may have a higher risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), while those with better cardiovascular health may have a lower risk, a large study suggests. Among more than 500,000 people from the U.K. who were followed for nearly 14…

Common viral infections such as influenza and COVID-19 may accelerate the onset and progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a new mouse study suggests. “In our pre-clinical models, just one viral infection was enough to significantly accelerate ALS progression, even after the infection itself had resolved,” Art Marzok, PhD,…

The amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) community is mourning Brooke Eby, an ALS advocate who documented her life with the disease on social media and helped build an online community for people living with ALS. Eby died Thursday, Oct. 1, at age 37. Eby was diagnosed with ALS in…

For many people living with rare neuromuscular diseases, the most meaningful part of a recent Chicago gathering was not just the medical updates — it was finding a community that understood their daily struggles. The realization that they were not alone set the tone for MDA Engage: Chicago, a…

While a bond of mutual affection can define friendship, the truest of friends share more than that. These types of friends are irreplaceable and more embedded in our lives and hearts than others. Deep friendship requires each friend to call upon the other for help and support, even in the…

Medicinova has completed the last patient visit in the placebo-controlled portion of the COMBAT-ALS clinical trial, which is evaluating its investigational oral therapy MN-166 (ibudilast) in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Phase 2b/3 trial (NCT04057898) is testing MN-166’s safety and efficacy at slowing disease…