Common viral infections such as influenza and COVID-19 may accelerate the onset and progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a new mouse study suggests. “In our pre-clinical models, just one viral infection was enough to significantly accelerate ALS progression, even after the infection itself had resolved,” Art Marzok, PhD,…
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The amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) community is mourning Brooke Eby, an ALS advocate who documented her life with the disease on social media and helped build an online community for people living with ALS. Eby died Thursday, Oct. 1, at age 37. Eby was diagnosed with ALS in…
For many people living with rare neuromuscular diseases, the most meaningful part of a recent Chicago gathering was not just the medical updates — it was finding a community that understood their daily struggles. The realization that they were not alone set the tone for MDA Engage: Chicago, a…
Medicinova has completed the last patient visit in the placebo-controlled portion of the COMBAT-ALS clinical trial, which is evaluating its investigational oral therapy MN-166 (ibudilast) in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Phase 2b/3 trial (NCT04057898) is testing MN-166’s safety and efficacy at slowing disease…
Advocates are cheering as legislation that would renew the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies (ACT) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has made its way to President Donald Trump’s desk as the law reaches its Oct. 1 expiration date. ACT for ALS, signed into law in 2021 by President…
Early rehabilitation, a care team that works together, and adequate bracing equipment can help people with neuromuscular diseases stay active and safe, two rehab specialists said. “Every patient has a different journey,” said Sol Abreu-Sosa, MD, a physiatrist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. The exercise plan, equipment, or…
An artificial intelligence-powered communication app helps people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other conditions that affect speech keep communicating using a voice that sounds like their own. Called Voice Back, the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app can create a personalized voice from a short audio recording.
A progressive decline in lung function is unavoidable for many people with neuromuscular conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but there are steps that patients can take to ease breathing issues and improve quality of life. “We can’t really change the progression,” said James Rowley, MD, a pulmonologist at…
Low muscle mass in the arms and legs, as well as sarcopenia (low muscle mass and strength), were each linked to poorer survival in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a small prospective study in Spain found. “These findings suggest that muscle mass may provide prognostic information complementary to…
Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s experimental therapy ulefnersen improved a combined measure of function and survival compared with a placebo in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) caused by mutations in the FUS gene. That’s according to top-line data from the first part of the ongoing, global Phase 3 FUSION clinical…
Recent Posts
- Common viral infections may lead to faster ALS progression, study suggests
- ALS community mourns Brooke Eby, who shared her journey with millions
- MDA Engage: ‘I am not alone’ was the biggest takeaway in Chicago
- Guest Voice: Redefining friendship when ALS entered our lives
- Trial testing experimental ALS treatment completes first part