Steve Bryson, PhD,  science writer—

Increased accumulation of p62, a protein involved in a cellular recycling process called autophagy, in the spinal cord is associated with worse survival outcomes in people with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study revealed. Autophagy is the cellular process responsible for breaking down proteins and other complex molecules…

While neurologists are frustrated with the treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) now on the market, they rapidly adopt new therapies that may delay disease progression for use among their patients with the neurodegenerative disorder. That’s according to Spherix Global Insights, a company providing market research and business…

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America (MTPA), which had been testing a once-daily regimen of its oral therapy Radicava ORS (edaravone) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), announced that it is discontinuing the Phase 3b trial and its extension study. That decision comes after an interim analysis by an independent…

Six months of treatment with clenbuterol, an asthma medication, slowed disease progression in adults with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to data from a small U.S.-based Phase 2 clinical trial. Despite these promising preliminary findings, more than half the participants withdrew from the study due to side effects. “Nonetheless,…

CNM-Au8 extended long-term survival and slowed disease progression in adults with early stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) compared with a placebo, according to final data from the RESCUE-ALS clinical trial and one-year findings in its open-label extension (OLE). Patients treated initially with CNM-Au8 in the main trial experienced…

The technology company Unlearn has joined with QurAlis to use artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up clinincal trials for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The aim of the collaboration is to minimize variability and increase the statistical strength of QurAlis’ clinical trials that are evaluating their primary ALS…

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued an opinion opposing Amylyx Pharmaceuticals’ bid for conditional European Union approval of AMX0035, its oral treatment to slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The negative recommendation from the advisory committee, an arm of the…

Magnetic stimulation restored the health of lab-grown motor neurons — the muscle-controlling nerve cells that die in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — derived from people with familial ALS, according to a proof-of-concept study. The approach improved several biological processes in motor neurons, including the movement of cellular components along…

PEG10, an ancient, virus-like protein that supports the development of the placenta, appears to also participate in the nerve cell loss associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), researchers discovered. ALS-causing mutations in the UBQLN2 gene were found to prevent the proper degradation of PEG10. This led to a…

MRI scans of the brains of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have identified a neurochemical called N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) whose levels correlate with the loss of motor function, a study reports. A drop in NAA levels was associated with the breakdown in communication between the primary motor cortex…