On Planning to Get Punched

“Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” –Mike Tyson The author Lee Child includes that quote in his Jack Reacher crime novel series as part of the title character’s mantra. Reacher always endeavors to strike the first blow. The…

A shift in the make-up of immune cells found in the blood of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) favors specific types of pro-inflammatory T-helper cells in detriment to anti-inflammatory regulatory T-cells, a study has found. This change in immune cells’ balance is associated with disease severity…

Recently, I noticed a surprising side effect from just a few weeks of following the stay-at-home guidelines: I’ve been talking less. A whole lot less. And to be honest, on some days, my conversations were limited to “yes” and “no” answers. That worried me. Because I’ve worked hard to prevent…

A $25,000 Ionis Pharmaceuticals scholarship will help amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in the San Diego, California, area participate in a host of integrative physical and mental wellness programs through Adapt Functional Movement Center. The full range of personalized sessions will be provided online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Designed…

Seneca Biopharma announced that work is underway to advance NSI-566, its leading stem cell treatment candidate, into a Phase 3 study in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The decision followed a meeting with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and is supported by data collected from…

People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have significantly lower levels of a small molecule called microRNA-335-5p (miR-335-5p), which promotes the degradation of mitochondria and nerve cell death, a study shows. These findings suggest that dysregulation of miR-335-5p may contribute to neurodegeneration in ALS patients, which may be useful…

The other morning, I woke up to find a note on my husband’s wheelchair cushion: “Buttercup, please cook the sausage. Love, Todd.” He was reminding me of the bratwurst I had pulled out of the freezer a couple days before. His arms haven’t worked in years because he has ALS,…

Fasudil, approved in Japan for treating stroke patients, also is well-tolerated and prevents disease worsening in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a report of three patients who received the medicine under compassionate use. However, the effects were transient, and all three patients experienced either a decline…

“The mind ought sometimes to be diverted that it may return to better thinking.” –Phaedrus (Plato) During these surreal times that shake us to our core, a mindless diversion is welcome: Have you heard the one about the three professional killers who walked…

Mutations in the TBK1 gene — often associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — seem to have a dual role in progression of the disease, causing it to emerge earlier in animals models of ALS, but then slowing in later stages. This paradoxical role, according to a results…