Iqra Mumal, MSc,  —

Levels of specific proteins found in specialized immune cells — white blood cells like lymphocytes and monocytes — can serve as biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), helping doctors to diagnose the disease and its likely progression, a study reported. These specialized immune cells, called peripheral blood…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with mild to moderate disease progression show an ability to drive that’s comparable to other adults, despite weaknesses with movement and cognition, a small study using a driving simulator suggests. The study included only patients who were still driving, and its researchers caution that…

A machine learning algorithm has shown that depression and a perceived lower quality of life are significant predictors of high caregiver burden among those who care for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study has found. The study, “Prediction of caregiver burden in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis:…

Factors like head trauma or fracture, electric shock, playing some competitive sports, drinking water from private wells, use of herbicides for gardening, and taking specific dietary supplements all may be associated with the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a new study. However, larger studies are required…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is highly prevalent among young U.S. war veterans deployed post-9/11, particularly Air Force personnel, tactical operation officers, and health care workers, a recent study suggests. The findings suggest that there is an early onset of ALS among deployed military service members, the researchers said. Titled…

The Phase 3 clinical trial testing BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics‘ cell therapy candidate NurOwn in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients is continuing as planned after a second safety assessment by the trial’s independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) found no reasons to stop, the company announced. The…

Synchron Inc. has successfully completed the first brain implantation of the Stentrode as part of a clinical feasibility trial. The first-in-human study is designed to assess the potential of this technology to restore communication in patients who suffer from severe paralysis, including those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Stentrode…

The Sean M. Healey & AMG Center at Mass General has chosen five “promising” candidate treatments from among 30 applications to test in its first platform trial for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The platform trial — a type of a clinical study that tests the efficacy of multiple…

In a study using dogs, the combination of infusing riluzole directly into the spinal cord and also taking it orally increased the concentration of the medication in the spinal cord significantly, compared to oral administration alone. The results of the study suggest that this combination therapy may increase its benefits…

Masitinib, the lead experimental medicine being developed by AB Science, can modulate the activity of different cell types known to be involved in inflammation and nerve degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to results from a preclinical study. The findings were discussed in a presentation, titled “Post-paralysis treatment with…