Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Treatment with the experimental oral therapy ATH-1105 significantly reduced nerve damage, improved motor function, and prolonged survival in preclinical models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study reports. The work was funded by ATH-1105’s developer Athira Pharma, which plans to move the…

A new compound that significantly extended survival in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by blocking the activity of a group of proteins called MAP4Ks has been identified by researchers. The molecule was associated with modest benefits, but researchers believe it can…

Reduced activity of the TDP-43 protein, a hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), leads to changes in the DNA of nerve cells, which alters the activity of important genes, a new study reports. These findings may help explain how problems with this protein can contribute to the death of…

Researchers have unveiled a new AI-powered avatar platform — one making use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology — that aims to help people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to communicate, even when the neurodegenerative disease progresses to the point that speaking and moving become difficult or impossible. The platform…

Scientists at King’s College London have identified the site in motor neurons that appears to be the starting point of dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — shedding new light on the workings of the neurodegenerative disease at its earliest stages. “This provides a better understanding of the complex…

Amylyx Pharmaceuticals is developing AMX0114, a new experimental treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that’s designed to promote the health of nerve fibers by lowering levels of calpain-2, a protein. AMX0114 is being tested in preclinical studies with the aim of supporting an investigational new drug application (IND),…

A Phase 1b proof-of-concept clinical trial of the experimental oral therapy VRG50635 in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is expected to launch in the coming months, according to the therapy’s developer, Verge Genomics. Verge also announced that the upcoming trial will use Modality.AI, a…

Scientists have created new “molecular traps” that were able to improve survival in cell and fruit fly models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) associated with mutations in the gene C9ORF72. The traps bind to the toxic small proteins that arise from the mutated C9ORF72 gene and have a harmful…

A new advance in technology may pave the way for devices that could allow people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who have lost the ability to speak to communicate using their thoughts alone. The new tech was described in a study, “High-resolution neural recordings improve the…

The genetic activity of certain brain cells, namely excitatory neurons and astrocytes, is altered in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) caused by mutations in the C9ORF72 gene, a study reports. The data reveal the distinct molecular mechanisms that may lead to disease progression in people with such mutations, which…