News

Cognitive Impairment Comes Before Motor Degeneration in ALS, Study Shows

A research team led by Diego Minciacchi of the University of Florence in Italy identified a population of neurons that might explain the cognitive alterations antecedent to motor symptoms in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The study entitled, “Increased anxiety-like behavior and selective learning impairments are concomitant to…

ALS Patients’ Health Decisions Rely on Multiple Factors

A study at King’s College London with patients recruited from the South-East ALS Register in England concluded that decision-making processes for ALS patients are complex, multidimensional and need individualized treatment and more patient-focused support. The results were presented in a publication entitled: “Accepting or…

Cell Metabolite Reduces Neuronal Death in ALS, Study Shows

In a new study entitled “Neuronal death induced by misfiled prion protein is due to NAD+ depletion and can be relieved in vitro and in vivo by NAD+ replenishment,” researchers report that in protein misfolding neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, neuronal death…

United Spinal Association Demands Wheelchair Accessible Taxicabs in DC for Those With ALS, Other Spinal Conditions

The national nonprofit United Spinal Association is advocating along with the Washington DC Taxicab Commission (DCTC) for the implementation of the DC Taxicab Service Improvement Amendment Act of 2012’s regulations and an increase in taxis able to carry wheelchairs. The implementation of the rule may impact the lives of people suffering from…

Clinical Trial Will Explore Genetic identification of Familial and Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Investigators at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine are currently enrolling participants for a clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00821132), that aims to identify genes that increase risk for sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or cause inherited ALS. The study, entitled “Identification of Genes Causing Familial ALS or Increasing Risk…

OptiKira To Develop Cell-Protective Therapeutics For Unfolded Protein Response

BioMotiv is a drug advancement accelerator associated with The Harrington Project, the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), and University of Washington, Seattle working on breakthrough discoveries and new therapeutics that have the potential to address unmet clinical needs. Recently, the accelerator announced the creation of a platform company, OptiKira, that will…