Specific Protein, Sema3A, Affects Survival of Motor Neurons in ALS, Early Research Shows

Researchers homed in on how a particular protein, called semaphorin 3A (Sema3A), affects the survival of motor neurons in both the brain and spinal cord in models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Their study, “ALS-related human cortical and motor neurons survival is differentially affected by Sema3A,” appeared in the…

What do we have in common with an astronaut who is trying to survive while stranded on a hostile planet? Answer: We share the ability to tap into our resourcefulness, resiliency, and optimism. Perhaps you had a different answer to my question, especially if you have ALS or…

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 had problems staying upright on his surfboard and regularly suffered from cramping in his ankles and calves. A few months later,…

A rock-painting contest in Las Vegas. A fashion show in New York. A 7,000-meter race around the Washington Monument that’ll coincide with a similar #Racefor7 event in Bengaluru and Mumbai, India. From Athens to Atlanta, from San Diego to Sydney, people across the globe will mark World Rare Disease…

Fat molecules appear to play a role in the development of ALS, which means that targeting them could be a way to treat the disease, French researchers concluded in a review of studies on the topic. This is particularly true of derivations of the fat molecule cholesterol known as oxysterols, which…

Interleukin 4 reduces the severity of clinical symptoms during the early phase of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but has no effect in halting the death of motor neuron cells as ALS progresses, an Italian mouse study shows. The study, “Interleukin 4 modulates microglia homeostasis and attenuates the early slowly…

Orangetheory fitness members across the United States and Canada plan to raise $2 million for Augie’s Quest to cure ALS, an organization supporting research into a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Money raised this year will go to help advance a promising potential ALS treatment, AT-1501,…

This Facebook video from Science Nature Page shares a little bit of information about the wearable robot hand that has been designed to help people who have lost function of their hands. MORE: Six ALS therapies designed to improve quality of life  The device could help people who suffer…

The United States has enacted legislation to ensure permanent funding of speech-generating devices that allow people with degenerative diseases such as ALS to communicate. Both houses of Congress unanimously approved the original version of the Steve Gleason Act that was enacted in 2015 but set to expire this year. The…

In this video from CBS Sunday Morning, follow the journey of award-winning filmmaker Simon Fitzmaurice as he completes his pet project, a film called My Name is Emily, despite being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) eight years ago. MORE: Explaining the progression…