ALS Link With Specific STMN2 Gene Mutation Challenged in Study

A mutation in the STMN2 gene that consists of an excessive repeat of two nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA, is not associated with the greater risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a new study reported. Its findings contradict previous research suggesting a link between this particular mutation and ALS. “Although the…

Long-term use of Radicava (edaravone) is safe and may modestly slow disease progression in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a small Korean study. Patients also experienced no changes in phrenic nerve function, which is required for the contraction and expansion of the diaphragm muscle. “Further…

Months after my husband, Todd, was diagnosed with ALS, our church’s worship leader asked us to participate in a Sunday morning service with “Cardboard Testimonies.” We watched an example on YouTube in which music played while people stood in front of the congregation and shared their stories. Presenters didn’t…

Kadimastem has received a U.S. patent covering its investigational cell therapy AstroRx for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases. The patent, granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, supports an upcoming Phase 2a clinical trial that’s planned to start in the U.S. next year.

A protein called NOVA1 may be involved in the early disruption of protein production in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), even before the characteristic buildup of the toxic TDP-43 protein occurs. The finding is a step toward identifying ways to treat the disease in its earlier stages, before nerve cells…

My husband is my primary caregiver. In fact, he’s been my only caregiver for the past 12 years that I’ve been living with ALS. That changed last week, when he needed medical tests that required an overnight stay in the hospital. That’s when we turned to a local home…

Note: This story was updated Aug. 10, 2022, to clarify the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee voted there is no substantial evidence supporting AMX0035 efficacy. When added to standard of care, both the experimental oral therapy AMX0035 and the U.S.-approved Radicava ORS oral suspension provide comparable…

The Pooled Resource Open-Access ALS Clinical Trials (PRO-ACT) database, the largest collection of de-identified records on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in clinical trials, has been updated with records of participants in three Cytokinetics-sponsored studies. Newly added findings derive from a decade of trials involving nearly 600 ALS patients. Those…

As part of its Tribute Awards, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) will honor Alan Pestronk, MD, co-director of the MDA & ALS Care Center at Washington University School of Medicine. The Tribute Awards recognizes those “who have been tireless in their efforts” to support members of the neuromuscular disease…

I remember those days when it was hard to get out of the house with our newborns. Two weeks after our daughter was born, my husband, Todd, and I celebrated Valentine’s Day with dinner at home. Todd bought jewelry for both Sara and me. Life has patterns and seasons, and…