Patricia Inácio, PhD,  science writer—

Harvard neuroscientists have discovered how the TDP-43 protein — previously linked to sporadic and inherited amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases — reduces the levels of a second player, called stathmin2 (STMN2) — which is necessary for neuron growth and regeneration — making the STMN2 gene a potential new therapeutic target. The study, “…

The rate of weight loss from onset to diagnosis can be a significant indicator of poorer outcomes among amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, a study reports. The study, “Early weight loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: outcome relevance and clinical correlates in a population-based cohort,” was published in the…

A new method called Axon-seq allows researchers to analyze the content of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in the motor neuron’s axons, the tips of the nerve cells that communicate with muscle cells, a new study reports. Using Axon-seq, researchers identified 121 mRNAs that are deregulated in ALS motor neurons, highlighting the new…

Researchers have developed a new small molecule that targets the most common genetic defect behind amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia, a study reports. These findings suggest that therapies directed at the underlying cause of ALS and frontotemporal dementia may be achievable in the near future. The…

Sativex, a mixture of two active compounds of cannabis, may help control symptoms of spasticity (stiff muscles) in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and primary lateral sclerosis, a Phase 2 trial shows. The study “Safety and efficacy of nabiximols on spasticity symptoms in patients with motor…

A new research project that will investigate the seemingly unrelated mechanisms between neurodegenerative diseases and infections has been awarded $2.5 million from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI). The funding was awarded to Ivan Marazzi, PhD, assistant professor of microbiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New…

Depression and anxiety in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, even at low levels, are linked and should be addressed together, a study reports. Moreover, according to the study, support to caregivers is essential as the patient-caregiver relationship is of key importance in coping with ALS. The study, “Death…

Anelixis Therapeutics has begun dosing patients in the first human trial of its amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treatment candidate, AT-1501, the company announced. The trial is currently enrolling both healthy volunteers and eight ALS patients to test AT-1501’s safety and tolerability. Researchers will also examine how the agent behaves…

The amount of time it takes to diagnose amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the use of Rilutek (riluzole) to treat it vary significantly across Canada, according to a new nationwide analysis of a patient registry. These findings highlight the need for future studies to identify the factors that contribute…

Loss of C9orf72, a protein whose corresponding gene is among those most often mutated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), causes an imbalance in the metabolism of fats (lipids) in motor neurons, a new study shows. These findings suggest that an imbalance in energy and lipid metabolism…