News

Researchers Find ‘Harmful’ ALS Factor Actually Protects Neurons from Inflammation

Attempting to lower a specific protein that is higher in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), researchers discovered that the protein does not contribute to the disease as believed. Instead, it protects neurons from rampaging inflammation. The findings, published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics under the title “Genetic ablation of IP3 receptor 2…

ALS Affects Visual Pathways and by Degree That May Serve as Disease Biomarker, Study Finds

Whether the damage done by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also affects visual pathways, namely the macula, is a matter of debate among scientists and physicians. Researchers at the Feinberg School of Medicine investigated this, comparing the macular structure of ALS patients and examining its correlation with pulmonary function tests, and concluded that macular…

Noninvasive Ventilation and Posture Influence Respiratory Ability in ALS Patients

Researchers who studied noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) found that respiratory muscles may work more efficiently during NIV. They also believe their measurement technique can be useful for detecting changes in breathing patterns even in early-stage ALS patients. The research paper, “Effects of non-invasive ventilation and posture…

Science on a Chip: Lab Platform for ALS Study Lets Researchers Make Muscle Fibers in Gelatin

Scientists at the University of Southern California have developed a laboratory model of skeletal muscle, fabricated on a tiny chip molded in gelatin, derived from natural muscle protien. As a research platform tool, the mold holds the potential to aid studies on muscle development, degeneration and diseases. Future plans for gelatin chips include…

FDA Acts to Speed Development of Herantis Pharma’s Potential Treatment for ALS

Herantis Pharma announced that a pipeline therapy known as cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) has been granted Orphan Drug Status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to speed its development and testing as a potential treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease. Cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor is a neuroprotective and…

Familial ALS Study with Identical Twins Delivers Clues

Researchers at the University of California conducted a study on the molecular and genetic characteristics of two identical female twins, one only with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and found that environmental factors may be at the root of genetic modifications that cause the disease. The discovery may be a key to prevention…