José Lopes, PhD, managing science editor —

A specific type of genetic alteration — known as epigenetic changes — observed in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may lead to novel treatments and diagnostic tools, according to a review study. The study, “Epigenetics in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a role for histone post-translational modifications…

Transplanting certain human bone marrow cells into mice with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) improved their motor function and preserved motor neurons by repairing the barrier protecting the spinal cord. The study with that finding, “Human Bone Marrow Endothelial Progenitor Cell Transplantation into Symptomatic ALS Mice Delays Disease…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) prevalence in a large group of patients with Medicare coverage was found to be higher than that previously reported in the U.S., according to a study. Findings also revealed that having ALS was associated with shorter survival than other motor neuron diseases (MND). The study,…

A specific type of supporting cells called Schwann cells protect against nerve degeneration induced by the blood-clotting protein thrombin, according to new research in mice. Researchers say the findings could have implications for treatment development in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s. The study, “…

Higher levels of apathy — particularly its behavioral symptoms — in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are associated with a degree of greater burden for caregivers, according to a new study. The research, “The burden of apathy for caregivers of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,”…

Markers of oxidative stress, iron metabolism in the brain and nerve cell damage may accurately predict disability in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to new research. The study, “A ferroptosis-based panel of prognostic biomarkers for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,” appeared in the journal Scientific…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with higher levels of organic pollutants in their blood have reduced survival rates, according to a study conducted in Michigan. The study, “High plasma concentrations of organic pollutants negatively impact survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,” was published in the Journal…

Smoking is associated with a greater risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a new study. The research, “Smoking and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Mendelian Randomization Study,” appeared in the journal Annals of Neurology. Cigarette smoking has been proposed as a risk…

Greater knowledge about clinical trials and the importance of genetic testing, as well as increased access to expert care, are key needs for people with neuromuscular disease, including those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a large survey. The ONEVoice survey included 3,362 respondents, 2,430 of…

A gene therapy candidate targeting a key amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mutation in the C9orf72 gene is able to lower the accumulation of toxic RNA clumps and reduce the activity of this mutated gene, in cells collected from a patient with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and in a…