Sonic Hedgehog Protein Pathway May Be Compromised in ALS, Researchers Find
A signaling pathway involving a protein called sonic hedgehog (Shh) is compromised in amyloid lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, found a study published in PLOS One.
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MRI Could Serve as Useful Biomarker to Assess ALS Progression, Study Suggests
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect changes occurring in the brain during the course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the short-term, according to a study published in the Neuroimage: Clinical.
Pain in ALS Patients is Common but Not Studied Enough, Review Finds
People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are frequently in pain, yet few studies focus on this aspect of the disease, according to an analysis by researchers at Italy’s University of Turin. Their study, “Pain in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,” recently appeared in the journal The Lancet Neurology. A comprehensive overview of published data,…
Advanced ALS Patients More Vulnerable to Broken Heart Syndrome, Study Suggests
Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in advanced stages who suddenly experience worsening shortness of breath and chest discomfort are likely to have Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a condition also known as broken heart syndrome. Based on their findings, South Korean researchers studying the hearts of ALS patients urge physicians to consider Takotsubo…
Bill to Eliminate 5-Month SSDI Waiting Period for ALS Patients Gets Bipartisan Support
The ALS Association is urging Congress to pass legislation that would waive the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) five-month waiting period for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Under the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2017, people with ALS could immediately begin receiving SSDI, which in turn qualifies patients to get…
Study Reviews Evidence Supporting Use of Cannabinoids to Treat ALS
The journal Neural Regeneration Research has published a review detailing the latest findings in the use of cannabis-derived compounds to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The review, “Can cannabinoids be a potential therapeutic tool in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?,” notes that to date, the only available therapy for ALS patients is riluzole, which…
Mindfulness-based Meditation Improves ALS Patients’ Lives, Study Shows
An eight-week mindfulness-based meditation program improved the quality of life and psychological well-being of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study reported. The randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial covered 100 patients recruited between November 2012 and December 2014. All were diagnosed with ALS at least 18 months before the…
Simple Urine Test Could Help Diagnose, Track ALS Progression
Researchers at Flinders University in Australia identified a new potential biomarkers in the urine of patients with amyloid lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Brain-Computer Interface Allows ALS Patients to Type Much Faster
Researchers in the U.S. showed that thanks to a computer-brain interface device that they developed people with different forms of paralysis, including amyloid lateral sclerosis (ALS), can type using direct brain controls faster than was previously possible.
Study Links Consumption of Fish, Seafood High in Mercury to ALS Risk
People who eat fish and seafood containing high concentrations of mercury may be more likely to develop amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a new preliminary study suggests. Researchers will present their study’s findings at the American Academy of Neurology’s 69th Annual Meeting, set for April 22-28 in Boston. The question isn’t whether people should…
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