News

Biohaven Pharmaceuticals is pushing hard for regulatory approval and development of its two investigational drugs for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): BHV-0223, a sublingual form of Rilutek (riluzole), and BHV-4157, a compound that modulates the neurotransmitter glutamate. After more than 20 years, Rilutek remains the only approved treatment for people with…

More amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients survived among those who completed a Phase 2 trial of MediciNova’s Ibudilast (MN-166), compared to those who dropped out of the study, according to an exploratory interim analysis. But the data, presented at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2017 Annual Meeting…

The amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) investigational drug edaravone will be the focus of four presentations by MT Pharma America in Boston. The presentations, which include data on edaravone and an analysis evaluating clinically relevant symptoms of ALS, are taking place at the 69th Annual Meeting of the American…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and schizophrenia may be caused by similar gene mutations that affect the way neurons work, according to new research. Researchers found that 14.3 percent of the genetic variations linked to ALS were also present in people with schizophrenia, suggesting the diseases may be related. The study,…

A compound that stabilizes a protein crucial for the survival of motor neurons helped cells of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients survive longer in experiments performed in lab dishes. The discovery builds on research about a childhood neuromuscular disease — spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) — and may lead to new treatments…

Insights into the behavior of TDP-43 — a key protein in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) development — may offer clues in preventing protein aggregation, potentially leading to new treatments for the disease. And the new level of understanding of how the protein is controlled and what it does in the cell…

In recognition of May as ALS Awareness Month, the nonprofit Project ALS is inviting those interested in joining the Don’t Talk-a-Thon, which runs through May 21 to raise awareness for the disease and funds for research. The annual fundraising event will culminate with a one-hour vow of silence on May…

Mutations in the FUS gene, which are the major cause of juvenile forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are linked to the loss of motor neurons. European researchers have now found that these mutations also affect other cell types in the brain. The French-German study, “Motor neuron intrinsic and extrinsic…

The nonprofit HealthWell Foundation has just launched a pioneering fund to assist patients living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The fund will provide up to $15,000 in co-payment or premium assistance to eligible Medicare patients who have annual household incomes up to 500 percent of the federal poverty…

Suppressing the expression of a protein called ataxin-2 may prolong survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a recent mouse study. The study, “Therapeutic Reduction Of Ataxin-2 Extends Lifespan And Reduces Pathology In TDP-43 Mice,” was published in the journal Nature. According to researchers, nearly…