Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

CuATSM, a potential amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) therapy that’s now in clinical trials, may work by altering how certain cells in the brain generate energy, a new study suggests. Researchers say these findings may help to identify patients most likely to respond to the experimental treatment. “Screening patient derived…

Higher long-term exposure to certain forms of air pollution — specifically coarse particulate matter, such as that from traffic pollutants — significantly increases the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in postmenopausal women, a study showed. “Although the effects noted within the current study are limited by sample size…

Deep machine-learning models using neural networks — computer algorithms inspired in the biological networks of the human brain —may help to predict the course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a new study reports. The models also consistently showed that a longer delay between disease onset and diagnosis is a…

Starting treatment with riluzole earlier in the disease course could prolong overall survival for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a database study suggests. A one-year delay in beginning with riluzole may lower median survival by 1.9 months and a two-year delay by a median of 4.9 months, its…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is funding several novel research projects related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other rare neurological disorders through its orphan drug grants program. In total, the regulatory agency has awarded 19 new grants and two contracts, providing more than $38 million…

A cholesterol-related protein, called apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), can prevent the death of endothelial cells — those lining blood vessel walls — in a cell model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a recent lab study shows. According to researchers, these results “show promise for ApoA1 as a therapeutic agent to…

The nonprofit EverythingALS is teaming up with several biotech companies for a study into the feasibility of monitoring amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progression in people via disease-specific biomarkers captured digitally at the home. The study will be open to adults with an ALS diagnosis or for whom ALS…

Helixmith has unveiled its new multi-approach program called DART — Defeating ALS through Regenerative Therapeutics — to develop new therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Company CEO Sunyoung Kim presented the program in person and virtually at the 2022 Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mesa, Oct. 11–13.

There is no compelling evidence to suggest any medication increases the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a review of published studies. If anything, classes of drugs including anti-hypertensives, cholesterol-lowering statins, aspirin, and oral contraceptives may be associated with a lower risk of ALS, although several…

Early treatment with Biogen’s experimental therapy tofersen slows disease progression in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) associated with SOD1 gene mutations, compared with patients who started treatment after a six-month delay, according to findings from a Phase 3 trial and its open-label extension study. These benefits…