The Boston prep school that ALS patient Pete Frates attended has recognized him for creating the Ice Bucket Challenge that has generated a tidal wave of funding for research on the disease. St. John’s Prep named Frates, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2012 at the age of 27,…
The ALS Association has established a disaster relief fund to help patients and their families who were affected by Hurricane Harvey. Harvey brought strong winds and unprecedented rain that caused widespread flooding in parts of Texas and Louisiana. The Houston area recorded 20-plus inches of rain. A lot of people…
Clumps of the protein FUS, which are a pathological characteristic of ALS and frontotemporal dementia, can be prevented through a biological process called phosphorylation, a new study shows. The study, “Phosphorylation of the FUS low‐complexity domain disrupts phase separation, aggregation, and toxicity,” was published in the EMBO Journal. Phosphorylation…
Dutch researchers have identified new genes and biological mechanisms possibly involved in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with and without amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study, “Susceptible genes and disease mechanisms identified in frontotemporal dementia and frontotemporal dementia with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis by DNA-methylation and GWAS,” appeared in the…
Levels of some microRNAs (MIRs) regulating re-innervation and muscle regeneration among amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, while others are lower, an Italian study has found. These molecules help distinguish slow from rapid-progression ALS, and the findings suggest that therapeutic approaches targeting these MIRs may help delay disease progression. The study,…
Researchers at University of Exeter Medical School in the United Kingdom have started an ambitious project to investigate how mitochondria flaws may cause the neuron cell death associated with ALS. Not only may their insights provide a better understanding of how amyotrophic lateral sclerosis arises, but it also may…
Wave Life Sciences is developing two ALS and frontotemporal dementia therapies that target a gene mutation common in both. The therapies target mutations of the C9orf72 gene, Wave said in a business update. “I am excited to announce our next development program targeting C9orf72 mutations in ALS and FTD,” Dr.
Levels of pro-inflammatory molecules are increased in the blood of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a new study shows. This suggests that such molecules could be used as diagnostic biomarkers for ALS patients. The study, “Increased peripheral blood inflammatory…
Mutations in the C9ORF72 gene of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) might make it more difficult for them to use brain-computer interfaces, says a study published in the journal Scientific Reports. The study, “Expansion of C9ORF72 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis correlates with brain-computer interface performance,” suggests not only…
Inhibition of a key protein called dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK), a neuronal injury sensor, is protective in mice with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer’s disease and shows potential for future therapeutic strategies, according to researchers. The study, “Loss of dual leucine zipper kinase signaling…
