This week marks the launch of the “7,000 Mile Rare Movement,” a nationwide effort to raise money for research into the 7,000 known rare diseases that afflict at least 30 million Americans. The campaign kicks off Feb. 1 and culminates with Rare Disease Day on Feb. 28. Organized by…
Quality caregiving and care-accepting depend on effective communication between parties. It’s a delicate balancing act, especially when the caregiver is a spouse or family member. With traditional roles reversed, misunderstandings can happen and feelings easily get bruised. Giving care and accepting it is challenging enough without adding…
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh discovered that the human neuromuscular junction (NMJ) — a cell connection between neurons and muscle that enables motion — is different in size and structure than other mammals, including mice, which are routinely used in research. “Our findings provide unique insights into the…
ALS can be a difficult disease to diagnose as many of the early signs and symptoms can mimic those of other conditions. This video shared by Mike Brez is all about Clara. Clara was recently diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) after being misdiagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. MORE:…
Arizona State University will soon launch a new biomanufacturing platform to grow human neurons in vitro to develop and test new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. The effort includes the development of several types of neurons on a large scale to test…
A defense mechanism that uses a protein linked to ALS could be part of the reason why humans live longer than other animals, a study suggests. The research, “Oxidation of SQSTM1/p62 mediates the link between redox state and protein homeostasis,” appeared in Nature Communications. Autophagy is…
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease that progressively shuts down your muscles by attacking certain cells in the brain and spinal cord that are needed to keep muscles moving. Eventually, patients will lose their mobility, have trouble moving, walking, swallowing and even breathing. MORE: 13 facts about ALS…
In this touching video from Friends of Alan Gustafson, viewers see how quickly the progressive condition amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can change a person’s life. MORE: Four treatments that can help improve life with ALS In just a year, Alan has gone from an active father to being…
An international team has learned how the body activates a protein responsible for limiting muscle growth, a finding that could lead to therapies to improve ALS patients’ muscle function. The protein, called GDF8 or myostatin, determines both the number of muscle fibers the body produces and the fibers’ size. Researchers’…
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients experiencing feelings of apathy reported lower quality of life (QoL), particularly regarding achievements in life and community connectedness, a new Australian study reports. The research, “Apathy and its impact on patient outcome in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,” appeared in the Journal of…
