Posts by: Ana Pena, PhD

Ana Pena, PhD

Ana is a molecular biologist with a passion for discovery and communication. As a science writer, she looks for connecting the public, in particular patients and healthcare providers, with clear and quality information about the latest medical advances. Ana holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, where she specialized in infectious diseases, epigenetics, and gene expression.

March 25, 2020March 30, 2020

‘Hero’ Proteins Protect Cells from Toxic Clumps Underlying ALS, Other Neurodegenerative Diseases

News

Human cells produce a type of proteins, termed “Heroes,” that protect against the formation of toxic protein aggregates involved in several neurological conditions, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and are ... Read more

February 10, 2020February 11, 2020

New Spinal Delivery Method Renders Stem Cell Therapy Safer, More Effective for ALS, Other Diseases, Early Study Suggests

News

A new spinal cell delivery method may reduce the risks and boost the effectiveness of stem cell therapy designed to regenerate the nervous system in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic ... Read more

January 22, 2020February 6, 2020

Single Injection of RNA Therapy Blocks Degeneration, Prevents Disease Progression in Mice Models of Familial ALS

News

A single spinal injection of an investigational RNA therapy blocked motor neuron degeneration and saved motor function in animal models of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) linked to SOD1 mutations, ... Read more

December 9, 2019

Reldesemtiv Effects Maintained When Used on Top of Rilutek or Radicava, New Trial Analysis Shows

News

Treatment with oral reldesemtiv appears to slow the deterioration of function — including breathing capacity and muscle strength — in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, regardless of whether or not ... Read more

December 4, 2019January 15, 2020

‘Jumping Genes’ Identified as Possible Cause of ALS, Linked to TDP-43 Protein Accumulation

News

A new study identified a group of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients whose disease may arise from a group of “jumping genes” unleashed when TDP-43 protein accumulates in clumps ... Read more

October 22, 2019October 22, 2019

Common Mutation in IL6R Gene May Mark More Severe and Faster Progressing ALS, Study Says

News

People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with a common mutation in the interleukin 6 receptor (IL6R) gene appear likely to have more severe disease symptoms and faster progression than ALS patients without this ... Read more

October 15, 2019October 15, 2019

Mexiletine Reduces Frequency, Severity of Muscle Cramps in ALS, Trial Shows

News

Mexiletine, an oral medicine to treat irregular heartbeats, is safe and effective for reducing muscle cramps in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), results from a Phase 4 clinical trial show. ... Read more

October 7, 2019October 7, 2019

Reldesemtiv May Reduce Functional Decline in Fast Progressing ALS, New Analysis Suggests

News

Experimental treatment reldesemtiv appears to reduce functional deterioration in patients with fast progressing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a new analysis of the FORTITUDE-ALS trial shows. The additional analyses were presented ... Read more

August 30, 2019September 5, 2019

Energy Demands to Counter Gravity in Vertical Neurons May Lie at Origin of ALS, Study Proposes

News

Excessive energy demands to overcome gravity in nerve cells directed downward — such as those involved in the control of limb movements — may explain why amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) ... Read more

August 19, 2019August 28, 2019

Motor Neurons in Familial ALS Have Mutation-Specific Alterations in Glutamate Signaling, Study Found

News

Stem cell-derived motor neurons from people with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have mutation-specific alterations in glutamate receptors and calcium signals, which may alter nerve signaling and play a role in ... Read more

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