Astrocytes and Microglia in ALS: Friends Turn to Foes

A report in the journal Experimental Neurobiology reviewed the role of astrocytes (cells that support and protect neurons) and microglia (immune system cells in the brain) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The authors, from the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System; the Department of Neurology at Boston University School of Medicine;…

Smoking contributes to disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and decreases patient survival by about two years regardless of age, gender, or other disease modifiers such as respiratory function, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and ALS-associated gene mutations, according to new research. These findings suggest that neurologists should advise…

Advanced neuroimaging techniques and neuropsychological evaluations of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) recently confirmed the existence of a unique micro-structural brain degeneration pattern that contributes to memory loss, according to a study conducted by an international research team that included a group from Baylor College of Medicine. The report, “…

https://vimeo.com/147387124 The Cure for MND Foundation visited the 2015 RipCurl Pro Bells Beach in Australia and chatted with some of the world’s top surfers about the best waves, worst wipeouts and motor neuron disease. Find out more about a group of ladies who shot a naked calendar for ALS…

Nutritious Sweet Potatoes Do you enjoy sweet potatoes? Did you know they’re a super food that contain many nutritional benefits? The World’s Healthiest Foods, list numerous benefits of incorporating sweet potatoes into your diet. Some of these health benefits include increasing your antioxidant intake, consuming more anti-inflammatory…

Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may be associated with better function, including respiratory, in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a new study. The study, “Association Between Dietary Intake and Function in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis”, was published in the journal JAMA Neurology. “There is growing interest in…

With winter just around the corner, it’s time we all started to look after ourselves a little more. Avoiding germs is one thing, but we can also try and boost our immune systems by getting plenty of sleep and eating the right foods. Here are nine foods well-known for their…

Real Madrid and Portugal international soccer player, Cristiano Ronaldo, proves his worth off the pitch as well as on it as he welcomed a former soccer player who has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to watch a game at the Bernabeu stadium in Madrid in Ronaldo’s personal box…

Regenerative medicine investigators at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to test a novel combination stem cell-gene therapy they’ve developed to stall amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progression. Enrollment in the trial is expected to commence soon. Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS is…

A mutation, causing an inherited type of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), kills motor neurons by giving the protein it produces toxic properties. This protein, which normally binds to RNA, disrupts all RNA processing in the neurons to effectively take away their ability to survive. The study, “Protein-RNA Networks…