Somi Igbene, PhD, science writer —

Somi graduated from Imperial College London in 2011 with a PhD in cellular and molecular immunology. She worked as a medical writer at several medical communications agencies in London, including Core Medica. Besides science writing, Somi works as a registered associate nutritionist, helping adults and children improve their diets to prevent type 2 diabetes.

Articles by Somi Igbene

Compound Works to Ease Brain Inflammation Driven by Glial Cells

A molecule that blocks the regulatory RNA protein HuR, called SRI-42127, strongly reduces brain inflammation driven by activated glial cells, key players in neurodegenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a preclinical study reported. This inhibitor may be of promise in treating ALS and other diseases driven by inflammation in the brain. “Our…

Age, Income Linked to Ventilation Use of ALS Patients in Korea

Age, socioeconomic status, and co-existing conditions are among the factors that can lead to a need for assisted ventilation in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), research from Korea reports. The study, “Factors associated with assisted ventilation use in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a nationwide population-based study in Korea,”…

New PET Tracer May Better Capture Brain Inflammation in ALS

An imaging agent developed by Ashvattha Therapeutics can accurately detect brain inflammation caused by microglia, immune cells that play a key role in neurological diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a mouse study reported. The company is planning to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in ALS…

Advocacy Groups Invited to Try for Cytokinetics Communications Grants

Cytokinetics is accepting applications from advocacy groups working in cardiovascular and neuromuscular diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), for grants worth $20,000 each that will help them expand their communications and community engagement. In total, five Cytokinetics Communications Fellowship Grants will be awarded winning organizations. The deadline for applications…

NIH Awards PathMaker $371K to Advance Neuromodulation Therapy

PathMaker Neurosystems was awarded $371,000 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance its neuromodulation technology as a potential new, non-invasive treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Small Business Technology Transfer grant, from the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, will enable PathMaker to…

Health Canada to Review AMX0035 as ALS Treatment

Health Canada has agreed to review Amylyx Pharmaceuticals‘ application seeking approval of AMX0035 for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). “We are pleased that our submission has been accepted for review by Health Canada, and we are committed to serving those affected by ALS in the…