Analyzing muscles via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help detect small physiological changes that happen when motor neuron diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) get worse, concludes a study by British researchers. The study, “Imaging muscle as a potential biomarker of denervation in motor neuron disease” appeared…
In this video from LA Fitness, 51-year-old surfing fanatic Chris Mehess shares his ALS story. Chris first began experiencing problems in April 2015 when he began having difficulties staying upright on his surfboard and regularly suffered from cramping in his ankles and calves. A few months later,…
A blood test can be used to diagnose ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases, a study indicates. The biomarker development company DiamiR came up with the test, which measures levels of small RNA molecules in blood. It is much less invasive than other ways of diagnosing the diseases, according to researchers…
Expressing “profound disappointment” with tirasemtiv — their lead candidate for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — officials at Cytokinetics have ended development of the once-promising therapy. Robert I. Blum, president and chief executive officer of the San Francisco-based biotech, announced negative results for VITALITY-ALS (NCT02496767)…
For most people, the holidays are a time of joy and good cheer. But when living with ALS, or providing care for someone who does, holiday activities have the potential to add stress to an otherwise happy season. Over the years, I’ve come to rely on a…
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) says it’s “disappointed and dismayed” after the House of Representatives voted 227-205 last week to repeal the Orphan Drug Tax Credit as part of a U.S. tax reform package. A similar package before the Senate Finance Committee does not repeal the credit…
The schizophrenia therapy Orap (pimozide) may be able to prevent the progression of ALS, Canadian researchers report. The team confirmed in a clinical trial of 25 ALS patients the results it saw in studies with worms, fish and mice. An antipsychotic drug, Orap is used to treat other psychiatric conditions…
Being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can be devastating for patients and their families and friends, but there are ways to move forward. We’ve put together a list of coping strategies to help you get through the first few weeks with help from the Mayo Clinic and alswindsor.ca. Allow time and…
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is financing 13 new research programs aimed at developing treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other life-threatening diseases. Toward that goal, the organization recently announced it would distribute $3.5 million in new development grants. For the summer round of grants, 244 applicants submitted…
Neurimmune and Ono Pharmaceutical have entered a strategic partnership to develop human-derived monoclonal antibodies that might become the basis of new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Under the terms of the agreement, Neurimmune will lead research to generate and validate these antibodies using…
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