‘Hero’ Proteins Protect Cells from Toxic Clumps Underlying ALS, Other Neurodegenerative Diseases

‘Hero’ Proteins Protect Cells from Toxic Clumps Underlying ALS, Other Neurodegenerative Diseases

Human cells produce a type of proteins, termed “Heroes,” that protect against the formation of toxic protein aggregates involved in several neurological conditions, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and are extremely resistant to harsh conditions, early study results show. Organisms naturally use Hero proteins as molecular shields to stabilize…

My Strategy for Facing Change: Adapt, Learn, Survive

Social distancing? Shelter in place? For many like me who live with ALS, the recent COVID-19 guidelines to “stay home” and “work from home” are what we already do! Every. Single. Day. Getting out and about for a quick trip to the grocery store or a meal at…

Stimulating Muscle Cells May Help to Repair Motor Neurons

Muscle cell activity helps to promote motor nerve cell repair after injury, scientists found in using a device to model motor neuron and muscle cell interaction. They believe this finding could be relevant to diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that imperil motor neuron survival. The device was described…

Collaboration Funds Experimental Therapy for Rare FUS-ALS

Eight patients will receive jacifusen, an experimental therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) caused by FUS gene mutations, under a joint effort from the ALS Association, Project ALS, and Columbia University’s Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center. The new clinical research program, which will be supported…