In some neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), nerve cells fold their proteins incorrectly, leading to cell death. Using plants, researchers discovered that when defective proteins accumulate in chloroplasts – a plant’s cellular compartment where photosynthesis occurs – it generates a distress signal that produces reparative proteins to…
Understanding How Plants Eliminate Protein Folding Could Help with ALS Research
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Motor Neurons’ Role in ALS
In this short film from Project ALS (a research-based non-profit organization founded by Jenifer Estes), the role motor neurons play in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is discussed. MORE: Study validates the use of social cognitive measure in ALS patients The computer-generated graphics explains what happens when…
A nervous system mechanism that helps control heart rate and blood pressure goes into overdrive in patients with a type of ALS that eliminates mobility and sensation in some limbs, a study reports. The control mechanism is known as sympathetic vascular response — with vascular response referring to heart blood vessels.
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Lessons Learned from Echo Show
Recently, thanks to my ALS News Today publisher, I had the exciting opportunity to test out an Echo Show. Why would I rate that as exciting? Well, we already owned an Amazon Echo (tower-type) device, but with my ALS-affected voice, I was batting zero activating it.
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics is expanding the patent portfolio that protects its NurOwn technology for the treatment of several diseases affecting the central nervous system. The latest U.S. patent claim includes Parkinson’s disease and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). The announcement by BrainStorm follows a Notice of Allowance issued by…
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…
Living with ALS can cause dramatic changes to your relationships. When I felt my relationships fracturing under the strain of my disease and growing disabilities, I realized I needed help. So, I turned to my best friend, Melissa Rothstein, who has always given me great advice. Melissa has been living…
Researchers generated motor neurons from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with a mutated gene found in familial forms of the disease. The study sheds new light on the disease mechanism. Transport of materials up and down the motors’ neuron length (axon) keeps nerve cell messages…
Relatives of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have a higher likelihood of developing neuropsychiatric symptoms including schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, autism, and alcoholism, research from Ireland shows. The study, “Clustering of Neuropsychiatric Disease in First-Degree and Second-Degree Relatives of Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,” was published…
This emotional ABC News video shares how amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has impacted former NFL star Steve Gleason’s life. MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo invites former soccer player with ALS to the Bernabeu stadium The 39-year-old New Orleans Saints hero created a video blog about his journey with ALS, documenting both…
Recent Posts
- US lawmakers reintroduce bill to improve access to treatment for ALS
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- US clinical trials lack diverse representation of ALS patients
- Scientists grow specialized motor neurons to aid in ALS research