Lindsey Shapiro, PhD,  science writer—

Mutations in the C9ORF72 gene may lead to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the related disorder frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in part by boosting the production of a powerful inflammatory protein called interleukin 17A (IL-17A), recent preclinical research suggests. Inhibiting IL-17A via genetic manipulations or…

On the heels of promising HEALEY-ALS Phase 2 trial data, Prilenia Therapeutics plans to launch a pivotal Phase 3 study of pridopidine, its candidate amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treatment, in the second half of this year. Relative to a placebo, pridopidine was associated with slower disease progression,…

Blocking certain inflammatory signaling pathways may be one way to reverse nerve cell alterations that drive the symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to preclinical research using a mouse model of the disease. In the mice, an ALS-associated mutation in the FUS gene caused caused motor neurons — the…

Up to three years of daily treatment with the investigational therapy IPL344 was well tolerated and slowed disease progression among adults with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to top-line data from a small Phase 1/2a clinical trial. Preliminary efficacy analyses also indicated that IPL344 might be able to…

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,…