News

Targeting two particular proteins, called H1.2 and PARP1, may lessen the severity of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) linked to mutations in the FUS gene, a study shows. Researchers found that a severe FUS mutation increased the interaction of the resulting FUS protein with both H1.2 and PARP1, which is involved in…

Dewpoint Therapeutics has won a second grant from Target ALS Foundation to advance preclinical studies of its experimental TDP-43-targeted therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). TDP-43 is a protein that often gets mislocalized within cells in ALS and forms into toxic clumps that contribute to neurodegeneration. Dewpoint’s…

A consortium of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) nonprofits and industry stakeholders has launched Project Mosaic, an initiative that aims to advance next-generation, patient-derived cell models that more accurately represent ALS’ complex and diverse nature. By moving these ALS models from academic labs to industry, Project Mosaic aims to…

Two amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) centers are backing an initiative aimed at accelerating and improving ALS research. The Acceleration Centers of Enrollment (ACE) initiative, led by the Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern Medicine and the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital, will…

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is accepting applications for its Advocacy Collaboration Grant program, which supports projects from organizations working to improve the lives of people with neuromuscular diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).  Applications for this year’s program are open until Oct. 18, and…

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) are teaming up once again, launching more than 420 “Fill the Boot” events this year to raise funds for research and care for people with neuromuscular diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The fundraising initiative will…

A gene therapy aimed at stabilizing connections between motor nerve cells and interneurons — a type of cell that regulates motor nerve cell activity — eased motor dysfunction and promoted motor nerve cell survival in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a study by European…

People with higher levels of certain metals in their blood and urine are more likely to develop amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a U.S. study reports. Findings also suggest that, among ALS patients, higher metal levels linked with significantly poorer long-term survival. “By measuring [blood] and urine metal levels, we…

A brain-computer interface allowed Casey Harrell, a 45-year-old man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) whose disease had made it nearly impossible to speak, to communicate through a computer that used his own voice. Harrell’s experience in the ongoing pilot BrainGate2 clinical trial (NCT00912041) was described in the study,…

A researcher at Penn State University has received a $250,000 grant for an innovative project that seeks to identify and develop small molecules with the potential to protect nerve cells in neurodegenerative conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The grant was awarded by the nonprofit Critical Path Institute…