Scientists grow specialized motor neurons to aid in ALS research

Scientists have developed a way to grow motor neurons, the highly specialized nerve cells that are lost in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), opening the door to new research avenues for treatment discovery. The new approach directs rare adult brain progenitor cells to become corticospinal-like neurons, a type of nerve…

After my late husband, Jeff, was diagnosed with ALS in the fall of 2018, I could not have managed without the help of other people, and he couldn’t have either. This is hard to write, but even harder to own. Asking for help used to be difficult for me.

A viral infection can trigger a neurological disease similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in mice with a specific genetic profile, providing evidence for how genetics and environment may interact to cause the disorder, according to a new study. Findings suggest that while a virus may be…

Three years after my husband Todd’s ALS diagnosis, a friend put me in touch with another family who had been dealing with the disease for about a year. I listened as the adult daughter told me how her mom, who had ALS, couldn’t move at all, and how her…

Partially lowering levels of the protein RAD23A can help nerve cells better handle toxic TDP-43 protein clumps, improving survival and function in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study found. The approach reduced the buildup of misfolded proteins, restored the cell’s protein cleanup machinery, and slowed…

I have a pair of cute, pink, 1-pound dumbbells that sit on a side table within easy reach of my desk. I put them there last summer with the best of intentions: I’d perform a few simple arm exercises during my breaks from focused computer work. How often have I…

For many people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), even a slight slowing of disease progression is considered clinically meaningful, according to a new study based on a survey of hundreds of patients. “These results highlight the need for clinical trial designs that are capable of detecting small but meaningful…

Long-term exposure to air pollution, even at relatively low levels, is associated with an increased risk of developing motor neuron disease (MND), a group of conditions that includes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a new study by researchers in Sweden. Among patients, exposure to air pollution is also…

Target ALS has announced the launch of its redesigned website, which improves accessibility and highlights its research initiatives to accelerate the development of effective treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The new digital platform offers an improved experience for the ALS community, facilitating access to more information about…

“My body looks the same, but it works differently now.” A friend told me that 30 years ago, following her abdominal surgery. I remember nodding to show compassion, while secretly thinking, “I haven’t a clue what she’s talking about.” Decades later, living with ALS, I finally understand. When I…