News

Environmental pollutants in blood linked to ALS risk, survival

A person’s degree of exposure to multiple environmental pollutants — reflected by their presence in the blood — may be used to predict amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) risk and survival, according to new research. Greater exposure to these chemicals was associated with increased odds of an individual developing ALS,…

Gene activity altered in certain brain cells of people with C9-ALS

The genetic activity of certain brain cells, namely excitatory neurons and astrocytes, is altered in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) caused by mutations in the C9ORF72 gene, a study reports. The data reveal the distinct molecular mechanisms that may lead to disease progression in people with such mutations, which…

Man with ALS controls devices using brain-computer interface

A man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was able to control external devices — lighting and a TV — with only his thoughts using a brain-computer interface (BCI) device, according to a recent study. Called Cortical Communication (CortiCom), the BCI system learns to predict a person’s intended action by…

Zydus launches Phase 2 trial of anti-inflammatory ZYIL1

Zydus Lifesciences has launched a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of its experimental anti-inflammatory therapy ZYIL1 in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The company announced it has received clearance for the clinical trial (NCT05981040) from India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization…

FDA names CB03, aiming to protect neurons, an orphan drug for ALS

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given orphan drug designation to CB03, Zhimeng Biopharma’s small molecule treatment candidate for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). CB03 is designed to bolster nerve cell health by regulating potassium channels on these cells, reducing the hyperexcitability that is damaging to…