Author Archives: Marisa Wexler MS

Treatment with the investigational oral therapy masitinib can extend lifespan when given early in the course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a new study. “These long-term survival data, with an average follow-up of 75 months since diagnosis, suggest that masitinib can offer a substantial survival benefit…

A previously unknown form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — one with onset during childhood — is caused by mutations that alter the production of certain lipids (fat molecules), scientists report. “We found that a genetic form of the disease can also threaten children. Our results show for the first…

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, in California, has been awarded an $11.99 million grant to support a clinical trial that will test specifically engineered neural progenitor cells as a potential therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The work, funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, or CIRM, will build…

Eurordis opened a campaign, called Rare 2030 Action, that is seeking to establish a European action plan for rare diseases to ensure that none of the 30 million people in Europe living with rare diseases are left behind by the start of a new decade. As part of…

The European Patent Office will grant MediciNova a patent that covers the combination of MN-166 (ibudilast) and riluzole for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), MediciNova announced. The patent, once issued, will cover a wide range of doses and dosing regimens for both medications, and it…

Editor’s note: The ALS News Today team is providing in-depth coverage of the 2021 Virtual AAN Annual Meeting, April 17–22. Go here to read the latest stories from the conference. A new clinical trial will seek to determine the optimal timing to begin treatment with the investigational medication tofersen in people…

A novel system for three-dimensional (3D) imaging of zebrafish may be useful for studying the motor and neuronal deficits linked with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study suggests. The system was described in the journal Optica, in the study “Coded-aperture broadband light field imaging using…

Stretchable electronics that are “intrinsically” stretchable — meaning they have tissue-like mechanical properties that integrate sensory devices with human skin — can better detect signals from a patient’s body than current, more rigid sensors, a study suggests. For now, its researchers are looking into a design for these electronics as a…

An imaging technique, called 31-phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), can be used to assess mitochondrial abnormalities in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a new study demonstrates. This non-invasive procedure could be useful for evaluating potential ALS treatments, researchers suggested. The study, “Magnetic resonance spectroscopy…

Abnormalities in the activity of the protein TDP-43, whose gene is often mutated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), can increase DNA damage in cells, a study shows. These findings shed light on the molecular underpinnings of ALS, and may open new avenues for treatment, its researchers said. The study,…