Researchers Discover How a Protein That Limits Muscle Growth Is Turned on

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…

https://vimeo.com/124557753 This heartfelt video from the ALS Association Texas chapter is all about Christi. The young mother from Tyler, Texas is still coming to terms with her recent amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis and wonders if she would have lived her life differently had she known what the future had in…

A cell transport mechanism called endocytosis may be flawed in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a study reports. The flaw may contribute to the buildup of protein clumps in muscle-controlling motor nerve cells, a hallmark of ALS. In a study published in the journal Nature Communications, a University of…

A naturally occurring enzyme improves ALS symptoms in mice and could lead to effective therapies in humans, a study suggests. The research, “Deletion of NAMPT in Projection Neurons of Adult Mice Leads to Motor Dysfunction, Neurodegeneration, and Death,” appeared in the journal Cell Reports. Data from…

When discussing potential Radicava (edaravone) treatment with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, physicians need to take great care in presenting facts in an ethical and scientifically sound manner, warn two researchers who believe that mainstream reports of the treatment may be misleading. The duo — Crystal Yeo, MD, PhD,…

Managing a chronic illness can be difficult. There are many different medications to take (often at different times), appointments to remember, symptoms to keep track of, and lots of information to absorb. Thankfully, living in a digital age means that there are numerous mobile apps that can help you manage your chronic…

This video from ALSA Oregon is all about Pam Kofstad and her family. Pam’s health was on the decline for more than a year, starting with the inability to turn her left foot out and often tripping, which led to her being confined to a wheelchair. In April 2015, Pam was diagnosed with amyotrophic…

A new model for predicting ALS patients’ survival looks promising, University of Michigan researchers report. In fact, it want a competition for models that can forecast survival. A combination of patients’ ability to walk, breathe and eat, plus their scores on a physical functioning scale and a lung function measure…

The ALS Association was founded in 1985 and is dedicated to helping patients who suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The non-profit organization operates with a global scope, coordinating their research with some of the world’s top scientists. Here are six more things this incredible organization does: Research…