Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

In a new study, researchers found a protein in the p53 family, called p63, is increased in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and is a significant player in disease progression through the regulation of the activity of genes that promote the breakdown of muscle cells. The study, “Transcriptional activator TAp63 is upregulated in muscular atrophy during…

Researchers revealed that the loss of major histocompatibility complex I (MHCI) is a key step in the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease). The study, “Major histocompatibility complex class I molecules protect motor neurons from astrocyte-induced toxicity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,” was published in the journal…

Researchers discovered that a metalloproteinase specialized in the degradation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, called ADAMTS-4, promotes neurodegeneration in a mouse model for human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study, “ADAMTS-4 promotes neurodegeneration in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,” was published in the journal Molecular Neurodegeneration. ALS,…

Physical trauma at earlier ages appears associated with an increased risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a study titled “Physical Trauma and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Population-Based Study Using Danish National Registries” published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease and Charcot…

Three recent studies published in the journals Nature and Nature Neuroscience identified a mutation in some forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) that leads to neuronal death by disrupting the movement of molecules within the cellular nucleus. ALS and FTD are characterized by death…

Two new studies, one entitled “GGGGCC repeat expansion in C9orf72 compromises nucleocytoplasmic transport” and another “The C9orf72 repeat expansion disrupts nucleocytoplasmic transport”, report the discovery of a key mechanism underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis’ onset which is associated with C9orf72 mutation (the most common genetic defect…

In a recent study entitled “ALS-Linked P56S-VAPB Mutation Impairs the Formation of Multinuclear Myotube in C2C12 Cells” researchers investigated the role of a mutation associated with ALS type-8 (ALS8)  – P56S-VAPB mutation – on skeletal muscle cells homeostasis and muscle formation. The study was published in the…

In a new study entitled “Acute traumatic brain injury does not exacerbate ALS in the SOD1 model” researchers report that a one-time traumatic injury to the brain is not an accelerating factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis progression. The study was published in the eNeuro…

In a new study entitled “Neural population dynamics in human motor cortex during movements in people with ALS” researchers at Stanford University shed light on how the brain controls muscle movement. Their findings may help accelerate the development of prosthetic devices for patients with motor neuron…

In a recent study entitled “Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity, and Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis – A Population-Based Study” researchers investiagated the link between diabetes and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, confirming that type 2 diabetes, but not type 1, has a protective role against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis evidenced specially in…