I’m thankful for the way technology is developing to improve the quality of life for people with ALS, including my husband, Todd. Six years ago, I encouraged Todd to bank his voice while it was still strong. He signed up with one service and went to work recording various…
An AI voice can improve quality of life for people with ALS
A Texas Children’s Hospital investigator has received a $2.4 million grant for a study that seeks to understand whether mechanisms used by bacteria to hide from the immune system can be explored to ease inflammation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Steven Boeynaems, PhD, an investigator…
A treatment candidate from Revalesio named RNS60 protected motor neurons from damage in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) linked with accumulating toxic TDP-43 protein clumps. It also showed it could improve the health of mitochondria, the cells’ powerhouses that are abnormal in ALS, and reduce…
NeuroSense Therapeutics has initiated the process of applying to Canada’s regulators for early marketing approval of PrimeC in treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), based on positive findings in a Phase 2b clinical trial. The application will be filed under Health Canada’s Notice of Compliance with Conditions policy, which could…
Avextra is set to launch a Phase 2 trial in Italy to test a cannabis-based oral medication for the management of symptoms in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases. The announcement comes after clearance from both the Italian Medicines Agency and the Ministry of…
I like the Maroon 5 song “Memories” because I’m soothed by the melody, borrowed from Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D, and I’m moved by the lyrics. One line in particular resonates with me: “The memories bring back you.” Though my husband, Todd, is still with me,…
Researchers have developed a type of gene therapy that can rescue the function of the TDP-43 protein in diseased nerve cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases while leaving healthy cells untouched. The approach uses problematic sequences called cryptic exons that are only present in cells…
Neuvivo has filed an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting the approval of its investigational therapy NP001 (sodium chlorite) to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The new drug application comes on the heels of combined data from Phase 2a (NCT01281631) and Phase…
A growth factor called FGF4 can reduce the activity of astrocytes — star-shaped cells in the brain and spinal cord that become overly reactive in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — but it doesn’t stop motor neurons from dying, a study in cells and mice found. The researchers also observed…
Life’s curveballs happen to us all. Many of my column’s topics have been about the unexpected events I face while I live with ALS, as well as what I do to conquer them. But I believe the secret to my ability to handle life’s ups and downs is…
Recent Posts
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- Expanded access program for ALS drug MN-166 at 50% enrollment
- US clinical trials lack diverse representation of ALS patients
- Scientists grow specialized motor neurons to aid in ALS research