Spontaneous mutations may underlie some sporadic ALS cases

I brought “Some Bright Nowhere” by Ann Packer with me to Florida as my spring break beach read, but it wasn’t exactly light material. It’s a novel about a woman dying of cancer. Columnist Kristin Neva’s spring break beach read was “Some Bright Nowhere” by Ann Packer. (Photo by…

A protein called UBQLN2 is key for regulating both proteins and fat molecules in nerve cells, and disruptions in these activities — particularly the regulation of fat molecules — may play key roles in driving amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study found. The findings indicate that it may be…

I originally planned to write this week about the small ways I’m maintaining my mobility and muscle strength while living with ALS. However, I waffled back and forth about whether this was a suitable topic. My hesitation wasn’t because my observations were unreliable, but because I worried readers might…

Higher blood levels of the pollutant hexachlorobenzene (HCB), once widely used as a pesticide and later restricted in many countries due to concerns about toxicity, may increase the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to data from people living in two cities in Denmark. In contrast, most…

Swallowing difficulties are a common challenge for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and may place a substantial burden on patients during hospital stays, according to an analysis of a large U.S. database. The study found that about one-third of hospitalized ALS patients experienced difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and…

Two blood markers indicative of inflammation and cellular stress may help predict disease progression patterns and survival in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study found. Higher levels of these two markers, LBP and 4-HNE, “were correlated with a more rapid disease progression rate, shorter survival, and [worse…

Caregivers across Canada can now access free professional mental health support specifically tailored to the unique challenges of caring for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Expanding on a successful pilot project launched in Ontario last year, the ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) is rolling out a…

I left my husband, Todd, at home in Michigan last week while I flew with our teenage son to Florida during his spring break. Getting away takes planning and requires a lot of help at home while I’m gone. For me to be able to leave, we had to assemble…

Advocates and lawmakers are racing against a looming September deadline to prevent a “funding cliff” for critical amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research and treatment access. The ALS Association is now throwing its full weight behind the newly reintroduced ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act (H.R. 8205), a bipartisan push…