News

Nearly half of the people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treated with masitinib in a clinical trial survived for at least five years from disease onset — a marked improvement over historical data showing fewer than 1 in 4 ALS patients typically live this long — indicating what…

Long-term exposure to air pollution is not associated with an altered, or increased, risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). That’s according to a new study from the U.K. that used data from more than 500,000 people in the European nation who were followed, on average, for nearly a decade.

As part of preparations for a Phase 3 clinical trial to test its experimental therapy, masitinib, in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), AB Science has purchased a unique insurance policy. This type of insurance — called clinical trial funding insurance, or CTFI —…

It’s well established that some cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are caused by mutations that are inherited from a person’s parents — but a new study shows some cases of sporadic ALS may be caused by mutations that are not inherited, and instead occur spontaneously in developing…

A protein called UBQLN2 is key for regulating both proteins and fat molecules in nerve cells, and disruptions in these activities — particularly the regulation of fat molecules — may play key roles in driving amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study found. The findings indicate that it may be…

Higher blood levels of the pollutant hexachlorobenzene (HCB), once widely used as a pesticide and later restricted in many countries due to concerns about toxicity, may increase the risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to data from people living in two cities in Denmark. In contrast, most…

Swallowing difficulties are a common challenge for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and may place a substantial burden on patients during hospital stays, according to an analysis of a large U.S. database. The study found that about one-third of hospitalized ALS patients experienced difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and…

Two blood markers indicative of inflammation and cellular stress may help predict disease progression patterns and survival in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study found. Higher levels of these two markers, LBP and 4-HNE, “were correlated with a more rapid disease progression rate, shorter survival, and [worse…

Caregivers across Canada can now access free professional mental health support specifically tailored to the unique challenges of caring for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Expanding on a successful pilot project launched in Ontario last year, the ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) is rolling out a…

Advocates and lawmakers are racing against a looming September deadline to prevent a “funding cliff” for critical amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research and treatment access. The ALS Association is now throwing its full weight behind the newly reintroduced ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act (H.R. 8205), a bipartisan push…