News

Neurodegeneration in a subset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients is a consequence of abnormal DNA damage responses, a finding that provides new possibilities for therapeutic interventions. About 5 percent of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS), and up to 1 percent of sporadic ALS (sALS), have been linked to mutations in…

The higher the levels of uric acid in the blood of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, the lower the risk of death from all causes, a study found. The body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines, which are substances both normally produced and found in certain…

Biogen is acquiring Karyopharm Therapeutics’ KPT-350 and other potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS. “As a global innovative leader in neuroscience that brings world-class capabilities in developing and commercializing products targeting a broad range of neurological conditions, Biogen is well suited to further advance the development of KPT-350,” Michael…

This week marks the launch of the “7,000 Mile Rare Movement,” a nationwide effort to raise money for research into the 7,000 known rare diseases that afflict at least 30 million Americans. The campaign kicks off Feb. 1 and culminates with Rare Disease Day on Feb. 28. Organized by…

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh discovered that the human neuromuscular junction (NMJ) — a cell connection between neurons and muscle that enables motion — is different in size and structure than other mammals, including mice, which are routinely used in research. “Our findings provide unique insights into the…

Arizona State University will soon launch a new biomanufacturing platform to grow human neurons in vitro to develop and test new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. The effort includes the development of several types of neurons on a large scale to test…

A defense mechanism that uses a protein linked to ALS could be part of the reason why humans live longer than other animals, a study suggests. The research, “Oxidation of SQSTM1/p62 mediates the link between redox state and protein homeostasis,” appeared in Nature Communications. Autophagy is…

An international team has learned how the body activates a protein responsible for limiting muscle growth, a finding that could lead to therapies to improve ALS patients’ muscle function. The protein, called GDF8 or myostatin, determines both the number of muscle fibers the body produces and the fibers’ size. Researchers’…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients experiencing feelings of apathy reported lower quality of life (QoL), particularly regarding achievements in life and community connectedness, a new Australian study reports. The research, “Apathy and its impact on patient outcome in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,” appeared in the Journal of…

A cell transport mechanism called endocytosis may be flawed in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a study reports. The flaw may contribute to the buildup of protein clumps in muscle-controlling motor nerve cells, a hallmark of ALS. In a study published in the journal Nature Communications, a University of…