How Fear Can Show Us What’s Important

A few weeks ago, I had a long conversation with a stranger I met while traveling. She was a bold and smart young woman who shared tales of her solo trips as we flew. She insightfully concluded that travel had made her more resilient, aware, and resourceful. I agreed. Growing…

ANX005, an experimental medication being developed by Annexon Biosciences for neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases, resulted in a slowing of disease progression in adults with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). That’s according to preliminary data from eight patients taking part in a Phase 2a clinical study (NCT04569435), whose main…

I followed the directions on my phone to the Lily Creek Nature Sanctuary in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The 40-acre forest preserve with maple, paper birch, and balsam fir is only five minutes from my home, but I’d never been there. I’d seen an advertisement for a hike and…

The bacterial strain Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HA-114 prevents neurodegeneration and preserves motor function in worm models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a new study reports. This protective effect was linked to the fat molecules, called fatty acids, found in this strain, which helped restore fat metabolism in the mitochondria —…

A Phase 1 clinical trial has begun dosing adult healthy volunteers to investigate QurAlis Corporation‘s QRL-101, an oral treatment candidate for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the company announced. The first-in-human Phase 1 trial (NCT05667779) aims to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics — the movement of a…

I’m always open to learning new things, especially when they involve simple ways to improve my life with ALS. When I come across something super helpful, I just have to share it with my readers. My most recent discovery involves a simple plastic straw. In fact, it’s become a…

Use of ATH-1105, a small molecule being developed by Athira Pharma to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), protected against nerve damage and improved motor function in a mouse model of the disease, according to data shared in a recent company presentation. Athira is planning to file an…

Adding a skin patch containing a Chinese herb mixture called Ji Wu Li (JWL) to standard medications significantly slowed disease progression in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to data from a randomized clinical trial. In the trial, called ALS-CHEPLA (ChiCTR200037353), the benefits of the herbal treatment emerged…

Masitinib, an oral medicine developed by AB Science, has won orphan drug status for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Switzerland. The status is granted by the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products (Swissmedic) to therapies that seek to treat life-threatening or chronic diseases affecting no more than…

On Saturday afternoon, I was feeling apprehensive that 2023 would be an even harder year for my husband, Todd, and me than previous ones. Todd’s breathing continues to weaken due to ALS. The beginning of the year is often a time when people take stock of their lives;…