Target ALS and ALS Association to Fund Research on TDP-43’s Potential as ALS Biomarker

Target ALS and The ALS Association will jointly fund two projects focused on the development of new tests to evaluate TDP-43’s potential as a biomarker of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Nearly all ALS cases are characterized by the formation of toxic aggregates (clumps) containing the TDP-43 protein. These…

Recently I chanced upon a re-broadcast of an entrée from the PBS series, “American Masters.” As the subject, Andrew Wyeth, was one of my late dad’s favorite artists, I enthusiastically opted in. It did not disappoint. Beyond inspiring…

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…

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…

Levels of specific proteins found in specialized immune cells — white blood cells like lymphocytes and monocytes — can serve as biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), helping doctors to diagnose the disease and its likely progression, a study reported. These specialized immune cells, called peripheral blood…

Bloom Science, a biopharmaceutical company, announced it has received a $500,000 grant from The ALS Association to advance a treatment that, by managing bacteria populations in the gut, might restore neurotransmitters in the brain to ease motor symptoms of…

Even with the coronavirus pandemic ravaging Europe and much of the world, patient advocate Lucia Monaco, PhD, of Italy remains confident that the Paris-based nonprofit she chairs will see the approval of 1,000 new rare disease therapies by 2027. That group, the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) —…

After my husband, Todd, was diagnosed with ALS, we battened down the hatches to prepare for the coming storm. We moved to be near family in the Keweenaw Peninsula, a sliver of land that stretches into Lake Superior. The big lake is an apt metaphor for life with ALS.

A molecule that prevents cell death was able to prevent and reverse clumping of a mutant form of the protein superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) — the underlying cause of some familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases.  …

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…