Lindsey Shapiro, PhD, science writer —

Researchers have developed an algorithm to generate personalized survival predictions for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) based on clinical and MRI features. The scientists believe the algorithm could help patients and doctors make better treatment and care plans. “The disease progression varies greatly for ALS patients, so it…

The ALS Association has given Oryzon Genomics nearly $500,000 to advance ORY-4001, a potential treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), into preclinical studies. The $498,690 grant was provided via the association’s Lawrence and Isabel Barnett Drug Development Program. Oryzon intends for laboratory studies in mouse disease models…

Genetic and clinical factors that can influence how amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progresses were identified in a recent analysis of data from PRECISION-ALS, a large European research project. Consistent with known risk factors for ALS progression, C9ORF72 genetic mutations, bulbar-onset disease, and faster functional declines were linked…

Colchicine, an anti-inflammatory medication used to treat gout, was safe, but did not significantly slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a small Phase 2 clinical trial. While some clinical measures suggested a possible benefit of a low dose of colchicine in slowing disease progression and extending…

Eating foods with a higher glycemic index — those more likely to quickly raise a person’s blood sugar — is associated with slower functional declines and prolonged survival among people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a recent analysis. Foods with high amounts of sugar include white bread…

A person’s degree of exposure to multiple environmental pollutants — reflected by their presence in the blood — may be used to predict amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) risk and survival, according to new research. Greater exposure to these chemicals was associated with increased odds of an individual developing ALS,…

A man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was able to control external devices — lighting and a TV — with only his thoughts using a brain-computer interface (BCI) device, according to a recent study. Called Cortical Communication (CortiCom), the BCI system learns to predict a person’s intended action by…

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics is making strategic adjustments — including cuts in its workforce — to accelerate the clinical development of NurOwn as an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treatment. The decision follows the recent withdrawal of its regulatory application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration…

Direct measures of muscle strength were correlated with functional abilities among amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in a Phase 2 clinical trial. Measures of arm and hand muscle strength aligned well with functional domains related to fine motor skills (e.g., handwriting, grasping), whereas leg and foot strength were related…

Takeda has obtained an exclusive, worldwide license to AcuraStem’s investigational therapies targeting the PIKfyve enzyme, including AS-202, a potential treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that ultimately aims to lower toxic TDP-43 protein buildup in nerve cells. While Takeda will be responsible for clinical development,…