Uric Acid Levels in Blood Associated with Lower Risk of Death in ALS Patients, Study Finds

The higher the levels of uric acid in the blood of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, the lower the risk of death from all causes, a study found. The body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines, which are substances both normally produced and found in certain…

This emotional video from Marissa Coriell is an incredibly moving tribute to her husband, Alexander. Alexander was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in January 2013. The video shows how quickly his condition progressed. By September 2013, Alex was unable to swallow food and needed a feeding tube.

https://vimeo.com/124556645 This video from the ALS Association Texas chapter is all about Steve. A recently retired chaplain for the federal prison system from Fort Worth, Texas, Steve is about to get married to his longtime sweetheart, Anna. MORE: Pastor Kevin Kinchen hasn’t let his ALS diagnosis get in the…

Biogen is acquiring Karyopharm Therapeutics’ KPT-350 and other potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS. “As a global innovative leader in neuroscience that brings world-class capabilities in developing and commercializing products targeting a broad range of neurological conditions, Biogen is well suited to further advance the development of KPT-350,” Michael…

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…