Margarida Maia, PhD,  science writer—

A growth factor called FGF4 can reduce the activity of astrocytes — star-shaped cells in the brain and spinal cord that become overly reactive in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — but it doesn’t stop motor neurons from dying, a study in cells and mice found. The researchers also observed…

ProJenX has teamed up with Unlearn, a company that specializes in artificial intelligence (AI), to create virtual twins of patients as a way of more quickly collecting data in a Phase 1 clinical trial of prosetin, its oral treatment candidate for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has awarded a $500,000 research grant to a Massachusetts General Hospital scientist to support the HEALEY ALS platform trial — a pioneering trial that’s seeking to find treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a faster timeframe. The three-year clinical research grant was…

Certain rare genetic variants associated with Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders may increase, by up to nearly four times, the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study found. These variations also may lead to faster ALS progression and shorter survival, so patients who carry the…

Quralis has completed dosing in the first group of healthy adults who volunteered for its Phase 1 clinical trial of QRL-101, an experimental oral small molecule being developed for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). QRL-101-03 (NCT06532396) is expected to enroll about 60 volunteers who’ll be divided into five…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the green light to Dr.Noah Biotech to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial of NDC-011, a combination therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), in healthy volunteers. The trial, planned for the first half of 2025 at a single site…

A strategy that simultaneously targets motor neurons, astrocytes, and microglia — three cell types involved in the development and progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — was shown to further extend survival in a mouse model of the disease. Specifically, targeting the three cell types at the same time…

Monepantel, a veterinary drug that PharmAust is repurposing for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), continues to slow disease progression and extend survival when taken daily for up to nearly two years, while being generally well tolerated by patients. That’s according to interim results from an open-label extension…

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is accepting applications for its Advocacy Collaboration Grant program, which supports projects from organizations working to improve the lives of people with neuromuscular diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).  Applications for this year’s program are open until Oct. 18, and…

A decade later, the family of Pete Frates, the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patient who helped start the Ice Bucket Challenge, is relaunching the campaign that went viral on social media, raising awareness and money to support ALS research. In an event organized by the Peter Frates…