Southern Research Names New Neuroscience Chair to Expand Fight Against ALS, Other Diseases

Alabama-based Southern Research has appointed neurodegenerative diseases expert Rita Cowell as chair of its neuroscience department to help expand research into potential cures for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Cowell’s work has focused on the root causes of why people develop neurodegenerative diseases that lack…

In this touching video from Friends of Alan Gustafson, we 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…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis may have more in common with other neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases than previously assumed, a study indicates. It concluded that those with ALS are also more likely to develop another neurodegenerative or psychiatric disorder. And the reverse is also true: Those with a neurodegenerative disease or a psychiatric condition…

MT Pharma America, maker of Radicava (edaravone), an intravenous treatment for adults with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has changed its name to Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America (MTPA). In February 2016, MTPA’s parent company, the Japanese Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC), launched MT Pharma America to develop and commercialize…

Kate Farms, a company that develops plant-based oral and tube feeding formulas, has launched its Core Essentials Peptide 1.5 nationwide to help those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and others with impaired development get their full nutritional intake. Each Core Essentials Peptide 1.5 carton provides a 325 mL…

On May 5, the FDA approved the first new treatment in 22 years for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The drug, Radicava (edaravone), has been found to slow down the decline of physical ability in ALS patients by a third. Find out more about the FDA approval of Radicava here.  MORE:…

Currently, there isn’t a treatment available to cure or reverse amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) but there are treatments available that can help improve quality of life for those living with the disease. According to the ALS Therapy Development Institute, these include: Medications for symptoms Medications can be used to address some…

Flex Pharma is launching the Phase 2 COMMEND trial, which will investigate the effects of FLX-787 in patients with muscle cramps associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The preliminary results of the trial are expected to be released in mid-2018. The COMMEND trial (NCT03196375) will start with an assessment…

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics has signed an agreement with the University of California Irvine Medical Center (UCI) to start enrolling patients for an upcoming Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating whether NurOwn can improve functional impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. NurOwn is made of mesenchymal stem cells…

My recent columns about rollators, scooters and electric grocery carts brought many positive comments from readers who shared their own similar experiences. From these comments, I noted how when living with a condition such as ALS, so many of us have a warrior mindset; each day is a…