Patients from India with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are younger at disease onset and show longer duration of symptoms compared to patients from western countries, according to researchers. Their study, “The profile of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in natives of Western Himalayas: Hospital-based cohort study,” appeared…
People in India Get ALS Earlier Compared to Western Countries, Study Reports
Strong feelings of being sleepy during daytime hours are much more common in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients than the general public, and appear to be associated with poorer cognitive skills and greater behavioral problems, a study from China reports. Its researchers suggested that their findings, if confirmed in larger studies,…
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BrainStorm Update Ensures Funds for Completion of Phase 3 NurOwn Trial, Announces 2 New Patents
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics’ latest financial results guarantee enough capital to complete the ongoing Phase 3 trial of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) therapy candidate NurOwn, according to an update from the company. In addition, the company recently announced it has received patents in Japan and Europe for NurOwn.
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To ‘B’ or Not to ‘B’?
That is the question. Vitamin B, that is. And any other nutritional supplement. Shortly after ALS crashed my party, I was introduced to the book “Eric Is Winning,” by Eric Edney. Edney was a long-term ALS survivor (over 20 years) who attributed his longevity to a regimen that included,…
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Herbal Formula May Reduce Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in ALS Patients, Mouse Study Suggests
Gamisoyo-San (GSS), an herbal formula widely used in Asian countries to treat depression, anxiety and other conditions, significantly reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in mice in a study of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), suggesting that GSS could be used as an alternative treatment with fewer side effects than conventional…
The accumulation of TDP-43, a widely expressed nuclear protein that binds both DNA and RNA, causes RNA instability in nerve cells derived from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). That leads to disruption of energy and protein production, and eventually causes cells’ death. Those findings were described in the…
Researchers have detailed the structural changes that occur in the protein hnRNPA2 when it is mutated in diseases related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study, “Mechanistic View of hnRNPA2 Low-Complexity Domain Structure, Interactions, and Phase Separation Altered by Mutation and…
A new guide outlines the benefits of a multidisciplinary team approach to provide the integrated medical and mental treatment that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients often need. The guide, titled “A Guide to Understanding the Benefits of a Multidisciplinary Team Approach to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)…
The active molecule of Petinutin (methsuximide), an anti-epileptic medication, eased motor deficits, extended the lifespan, and showed potent neuroprotective effects in a worm model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), suggesting a potential new treatment strategy for multiple neurodegenerative diseases, a study reports. The study, “α-Methyl-α-phenylsuccinimide ameliorates neurodegeneration…
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Stumbling Upon an ALS-free Zone
“Hope is the thing with feathers” –Emily Dickinson Recently, my wife and I went to see a stand-up comedian at our local indoor stadium. My fervent hope was that our evening together would be a unifying, restorative one. It was in that spirit that we performed all of the mental and…
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