Esteban Dominguez Cerezo, MS, Science Writer —

Measuring the levels of a novel protein biomarker called C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 — CXCL12 for short — in the spinal fluid may improve the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by better differentiating it from similar conditions, according to a new study. In particular, the…

S-oxprenolol, an investigational therapy being developed by Actimed Therapeutics to treat muscle wasting in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has been granted orphan drug status in the U.S. That designation, awarded by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is given to therapies intended to treat rare diseases, like ALS, that…

EverythingALS has launched a new version of its mobile app that now includes community support, artificial intelligence-powered chat assistance, and enhanced research opportunities to better serve people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and their caregivers. The app, which was previously designed only for people taking part in observational…

Two U.S. representatives have introduced legislation that would establish a federally funded research program to study the link between environmental factors and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases. The Harmonizing Environmental Analyses and Launching Therapeutic Hubs to Yield Bolstered Research and Innovation in Neurological Science (Healthy…

Dewpoint Therapeutics has won a second grant from Target ALS Foundation to advance preclinical studies of its experimental TDP-43-targeted therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). TDP-43 is a protein that often gets mislocalized within cells in ALS and forms into toxic clumps that contribute to neurodegeneration. Dewpoint’s…

A consortium of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) nonprofits and industry stakeholders has launched Project Mosaic, an initiative that aims to advance next-generation, patient-derived cell models that more accurately represent ALS’ complex and diverse nature. By moving these ALS models from academic labs to industry, Project Mosaic aims to…

A researcher at Penn State University has received a $250,000 grant for an innovative project that seeks to identify and develop small molecules with the potential to protect nerve cells in neurodegenerative conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The grant was awarded by the nonprofit Critical Path Institute…

Estimates from the World Health Organization suggest 1 in 4 people are likely to be diagnosed with a neurodegenerative condition. By 2040, these diseases may become the second leading cause of death in developed countries. The nonprofit group I AM ALS has launched the Cures…

Diamir Biosciences has received a patent in the European Union that covers the use of microRNAs (miRNAs), that is, small noncoding RNA molecules that modulate gene activity, as biomarkers for diagnosing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The patent, “Methods of using miRNAs from bodily fluids for detection and…

Losing the ability to smell with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is significantly associated with worsening cognitive function, a new study in China finds. The association was particularly evident in ALS-related functions such as language, verbal fluency, and executive function, that is, a set of mental skills that helps people…