Mutations in the UBQLN4 gene may contribute to the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to recent research. The study, “A novel ALS-associated variant in UBQLN4 regulates motor axon morphogenesis,” was published in the journal eLife. Over the years, researchers have identified numerous genes linked to ALS, but the list…
Researchers Identify New Gene Mutation Likely Involved in ALS Development
Service dogs are typically thought of as necessary companions for the visually impaired, but service and therapy dogs can be incredibly helpful for those with neuromuscular disorders. As well as being a trusted friend, service dogs can expand owners’ motor abilities, granting them new independence and allowing them to get more out of…
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9 Things to Know About the New ALS Drug Radicava
May is ALS Awareness Month, so it is timely that on May 5, the FDA approved the first new treatment in 22 years for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The drug, Radicava (edaravone) has been found to slow down the decline of physical ability in ALS patients by a third.
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics has begun training the cell manufacturing team at City of Hope’s Center for Biomedicine and Genetics to produce NurOwn adult stem cells for a Phase 3 clinical trial in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Los Angeles-based City of Hope will be the clinical…
AB Science will suspend its ongoing masitinib studies in France in patients with cutaneous mastocytosis. However, its studies in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can continue. The pharmaceutical company said it received notice from the French medicines agency Agence Nationale de la Sécurité des Médicaments,…
A gene therapy aimed at strengthening the connection between motor neurons and muscle prevented nerve degeneration and increased the life span of mice with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study showed. Since researchers believe that neurodegeneration in ALS starts at the junction between nerves and muscle, the findings suggest that…
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What Is a ‘Spoonie’?
If you’re active on the Internet, particularly in groups and forums regarding chronic illness, you’ve definitely noticed the term “spoonie” being thrown around. MORE: Six tips to help you manage ALS. Spoonie is a term coined by a chronic illness blogger, who used spoons to demonstrate…
More than 260 Dutch Bros. Coffee locations in seven American states have raised $970,037 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association‘s patient-services and research programs, which include ALS, the disease that claimed Dutch Bros. co-founder Dane Boersma. To honor Boersma, the company calls its annual fund-raiser Drink One for Dane Day. In addition…
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How Speech-Language Therapists Can Help ALS Patients
In this video from Eugene Speech-Language Therapy LLC, Eugene explains some of the ways that a speech-language therapist can help those who suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). MORE: Researchers use Hollywood technology to track ALS speech changes. She shares that speech therapy can help…
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Understanding the Neurons Behind ALS
This video from Nature Video discusses the neurons behind amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The narrator explains that ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that usually begins in adulthood and progresses rapidly. MORE: Sixteen fast facts about ALS. The disease is characterized by the loss of both upper and lower motor neurons,…
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