Treatment of people whose symptoms are suggestive of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) but likely linked to a retrovirus called human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) should focus on alleviating symptoms and lowering the viral load, a case report highlights. The report, “Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus…
The teeth of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) show their bodies metabolize metals — from chromium to zinc — in abnormal ways starting in infancy, and these changes predispose them to ALS disease as adults. The study, which looked at how metal uptake early in life can affect…
The pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial testing BrainStorm Cell Therapeutic’s cell-based therapy NurOwn in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients continues with only occasional scheduling changes to treatment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient dosing is expected to be complete by July, the company announced. “BrainStorm made…
I cried buckets in the months after my husband, Todd, was diagnosed with ALS. When I met with a counselor, I described my overwhelming sadness. “It is sad,” he agreed. “When you read stories, they have happy parts and sad parts. This is a sad part of your story.”…
Statins, often prescribed to lower cholesterol levels, are not associated with poorer overall survival in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and should not be discontinued on that basis, a German study has found. The study, “Statins, diabetes mellitus, and prognosis of Amyotrophic…
The hubbub percolating around the SpaceX launch last weekend reminded me of the role a committed and engaged support team plays in averting and staving off peril. In any successful outcome to a human hostage confrontation, two common strategies unfold. First,…
Two bills making their way through Congress are intended to improve access to medical therapies for those most in need, and in particular, those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., announced his plan to introduce a bill to hasten the regulatory process for making promising therapies…
During my past 10 years of living with ALS, I’ve had to adapt to a lot of new normals. One of the most important has been learning to navigate what I call my “ALS time zone.” It represents the unique pace or rhythm of my day, versus the pace…
The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed new challenges on diagnosing, monitoring, and caring for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), from the absence of in-person visits to a lack of available equipment at hospitals. But the expansion of telemedicine may be a way to overcome these challenges, and allow…
For people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) currently on non-invasive ventilation, modifications to existing equipment may help to minimize risk of an infection for both them and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The equipment adaptations were discussed in a letter to the editor, “Modification…
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