Magdalena Kegel,  —

Researchers have found a way to break down aggregated RNA molecules that cause diseases such as certain inherited forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). As the technique has the potential to treat several diseases which currently lack treatment options, the research team from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD)…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis may have more in common with other neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases than previously assumed, a study indicates. It concluded that those with ALS are also more likely to develop another neurodegenerative or psychiatric disorder. And the reverse is also true: Those with a neurodegenerative disease or a psychiatric condition…

RNA molecules that are not supposed to leave the cell nucleus might be responsible for driving neuronal cell death in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), researchers from England’s University of Sheffield report in a study that suggests a way to prevent that from happening. The research team discovered just how…

Inflammation in the spinal cord, at least in part mediated by a molecule called PGE2, likely contributes to the disease processes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), researchers from Nihon University in Japan suggest. Their study, published in the journal Neurochemistry International, suggests that the molecule signals through one…

Mutations in the TDP-43 gene might not be causing the disease changes seen in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on their own, but might need additional environmental or genetic factors to trigger disease. This was the conclusion of scientists at the Oregon Health & Science University who studied mutant forms…

An imbalance between production and degradation of protein in the central nervous system may contribute to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), researchers at England’s University of Sheffield suggest. Their study, “Protein Homeostasis in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Therapeutic Opportunities?,” appeared in the journal Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience. It reviewed available data showing that disturbances in…

Data from the open-label extension trial of Radicava (edaravone) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) demonstrated that the treatment continued to provide benefits after 48 weeks of treatment. These findings — presented by researchers from MT Pharma America at the May 18-20 European Network for the Cure…

A gene therapy aimed at strengthening the connection between motor neurons and muscle prevented nerve degeneration and increased the life span of mice with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study showed. Since researchers believe that neurodegeneration in ALS starts at the junction between nerves and muscle, the findings suggest that…

The first treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in more than two decades, Radicava (edaravone), has been approved by the  U.S. Food and Drug Administration and will soon be available to patients. The May 5 FDA decision, hailed by physicians and ALS advocates, brings hope to the ALS community that treatment development, after a…

Biohaven Pharmaceuticals is pushing hard for regulatory approval and development of its two investigational drugs for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): BHV-0223, a sublingual form of Rilutek (riluzole), and BHV-4157, a compound that modulates the neurotransmitter glutamate. After more than 20 years, Rilutek remains the only approved treatment for people with…