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…
News
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…
A cholesterol-related protein, called apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), can prevent the death of endothelial cells — those lining blood vessel walls — in a cell model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a recent lab study shows. According to researchers, these results “show promise for ApoA1 as a therapeutic agent to…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending by three months its review of tofersen, Biogen’s investigational treatment for forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) caused by mutations in the SOD1 gene. Earlier this summer, the FDA granted the application priority review, with a decision expected no…
The nonprofit EverythingALS is teaming up with several biotech companies for a study into the feasibility of monitoring amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progression in people via disease-specific biomarkers captured digitally at the home. The study will be open to adults with an ALS diagnosis or for whom ALS…
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