TDP-43 Protein Abnormalities in ALS Linked to DNA Damage

TDP-43 Protein Abnormalities in ALS Linked to DNA Damage

Abnormalities in the activity of the protein TDP-43, whose gene is often mutated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), can increase DNA damage in cells, a study shows. These findings shed light on the molecular underpinnings of ALS, and may open new avenues for treatment, its researchers said. The study,…

Melatonin Might Benefit ALS Patients, But More Research Needed

People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who use melatonin have better survival outcomes and experience slower disease progression, a new analysis indicates. The findings suggest that melatonin may be beneficial for people with ALS. However, because the analysis was not designed to find cause-and-effect relationships, further studies are needed,…

Granting Myself Permission to Sit With My Grief

It’s hard to find guides for the grief that accompanies a long, progressive terminal illness. Loss is often talked about as an event that happened in the past. It’s difficult to process grief when you know you haven’t reached the bottom yet, when the losses keep coming. In Brené Brown’s…

MTPA to Commercialize ALS Therapy Exservan in the US

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America (MTPA) has entered an agreement with Aquestive Therapeutics to market Exservan, an oral film formulation of riluzole, for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the United States. Under terms of the agreement, Aquestive — the developer of Exservan — will be the exclusive manufacturer and…

ALS Augmentative Communication Program Renamed for Advocate

Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) is renaming its amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Augmentative Communication Program to the Jay S. Fishman ALS-Augmentative Communication Program at Boston Children’s, the hospital announced. Fishman was CEO of the American insurance firm Travelers Companies. A vocal…