Depleting a protein called Staufen1 improved motor function and lowered protein aggregation in a mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2). The findings suggest that targeting Staufen1 could lead to therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative disorders. The study “Staufen1 links…
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Survival and quality of life of patients with more advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can be improved significantly with the use of noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV). But many factors can contribute to a delayed decision on when to start mechanical ventilation, as well as on the effectiveness of the…
A new process by which pro-death signaling is sent to nerve cells may hold the key for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is characterized by the loss of motor nerve cells, according to researchers. The study, “Retrograde degenerative signaling mediated by the p75…
A man with progressive non-fluent aphasia (PNFA), one of the three types of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), was unusual in developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with bulbar-onset one year later, a case study from Italy reports. The study, “A case of Progressive Non-Fluent Aphasia as onset of Amyotrophic Lateral…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Tiglutik, an oral suspension of riluzole, for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Rilutek (riluzole, by Sanofi) has been available in the U.S. as 50 mg tablets since December 1995. However, ALS patients can have difficulties with…
With shared goals and a special connection, PopSockets has joined The ALS Association’s Every Drop Adds Up campaign to bring individuals and organizations together to fight amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The association cites the success of the Ice Bucket Challenge four years ago, which raised millions to support…
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Systems Using Brain Signals to Communicate Can Help Advanced ALS Patients, But Improvements Needed
The Wadsworth Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) can help amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients who are severely disabled to communicate while in the home, a study reports, especially those in fairly stable health. Improvements underway to this system, which relies on brain signals rather than muscles necessary for speaking or writing, are…
Cytokinetics has awarded the ALS Association Golden West Chapter with its first communications fellowship, part of a company initiative directed at nonprofit organizations to increase public education and awareness of their programs and care services, as well as to elevate patients’ voices. “As a longstanding partner…
Requip (ropinirole), a medication already approved to treat Parkinson’s disease, may be a potential therapeutic agent for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a preclinical study. The study, “Modeling sporadic ALS in iPSC-derived motor neurons identifies a potential therapeutic agent,” was published in the journal…
The balance between copper isotopes (variants) – but not copper levels – is disrupted in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a recent study. Copper isotope composition potentially may be used as a biomarker of ALS, distinguishing it from other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. The study, “…
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