News

Four years after its discovery via an artificial intelligence (AI) platform, Verge Genomics will test its amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treatment candidate VRG50635 — a PIKfyve inhibitor — in a first-in-human trial. The Phase 1 clinical trial (ISRCTN14792372), which is now enrolling participants, is being conducted at the…

CuATSM, a potential amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) therapy that’s now in clinical trials, may work by altering how certain cells in the brain generate energy, a new study suggests. Researchers say these findings may help to identify patients most likely to respond to the experimental treatment. “Screening patient derived…

Proposed updates to the National ALS Registry’s case-identification algorithm and classifications may help provide a better estimate of the prevalence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the U.S., a study reported. Under the revision, individuals previously classified as “possible ALS” cases and excluded from the registry would now…

Higher long-term exposure to certain forms of air pollution — specifically coarse particulate matter, such as that from traffic pollutants — significantly increases the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in postmenopausal women, a study showed. “Although the effects noted within the current study are limited by sample size…

High total protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord — are linked to shorter survival among amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with limb-onset disease, a study showed. The researchers noted a similar association was found for high CSF…

Deep machine-learning models using neural networks — computer algorithms inspired in the biological networks of the human brain —may help to predict the course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a new study reports. The models also consistently showed that a longer delay between disease onset and diagnosis is a…

Starting treatment with riluzole earlier in the disease course could prolong overall survival for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a database study suggests. A one-year delay in beginning with riluzole may lower median survival by 1.9 months and a two-year delay by a median of 4.9 months, its…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is funding several novel research projects related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other rare neurological disorders through its orphan drug grants program. In total, the regulatory agency has awarded 19 new grants and two contracts, providing more than $38 million…

The Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering is planning to launch a trial of its wireless brain computer interface (BCI), called ABILITY, in enabling people to communicate using only their thoughts. The study is expected to involve people in locked-in states — in which they are fully aware, but unable to…

Dazucorilant, Corcept Therapeutics‘ investigational cortisol modulator for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is being evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical trial. The DAZALS Phase 2 study (NCT05407324) aims to determine dazucorilant’s safety and efficacy against a placebo in about 198 adults with ALS. It will be…