Marisa Wexler, MS,  senior science writer—

Copper-ATSM — a compound originally used as an imaging agent — prevented motor neuron loss and reduced brain inflammation in a mouse model of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study showed. The study, titled “Neuroprotective effect of CuATSM on neurotoxin-induced motor neuron loss in…

New research details some of the clinical and genetic changes and imaging features seen in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis type 4 (ALS4), a subtype of juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This information could help clinicians quantify disease severity and track its progression in patients. The data were presented…

Making digital art can be beneficial for the psychological health of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a proof-of-concept study showed. The findings, “BRIDGE: Dynamic Imagery and Art Therapy in ALS- A Clinical Study to Improve Patient Expression and Wellness,” were presented in a poster session at…

A cancer therapy called imatinib mesylate (sold under the brand name Gleevec) has the potential to slow progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and extend survival, research in mice shows. The findings, “Cancer Drug Repurposing for Treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS),” were presented at the 2019…

Radicava (edaravone) may prevent functional deterioration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, results from a literature review suggest. Findings from the review, “Safety and Efficacy of Edaravone in Delaying Functional Decline in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Meta-Analysis,” were presented in a poster session at the…

As many as a third of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also have symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, which may be due to differences in brain activity between those with and without these symptoms, a study reports. The study, “Parkinsonian traits in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis…

A possible new target for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may be the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway, which helps cells remove potentially harmful RNA, like RNA that’s been improperly processed or comes from viruses. Researchers in this early study also suggest that an asthma treatment known as tranilast (marketed in Japan…

Differences in blood parameters, such as total protein levels, are associated with different stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), meaning they could become valuable biomarkers to track disease progression in clinical practice, a study suggests. The study, “Clinical disease stage related changes of serological factors in amyotrophic lateral…