My husband, Todd, is increasingly dependent on a noninvasive ventilator as ALS continues to weaken his lungs. Over the past decade as the disease progressed, I’ve had periods of high stress before we adapted to a new normal, such as when Todd continued to drive even though he…
Scientists have developed a new method that allows them to grow mature nerve cells from stem cells — a technique that could be applied to study diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). “For the first time, we have been able to see adult-onset neurological protein aggregation in the stem…
Synchron‘s Stentrode, an implantable brain-computer interface designed to allow people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other paralyzing conditions to control a computer using their thoughts, showed a positive safety profile in a small clinical trial. The four people in the Australian study had ALS and severe…
During the years I taught yoga, I always enjoyed explaining the concept of effort and ease. It’s the feeling of holding a yoga pose with the right amount of force. Not too much, not too little — just right. Little did I know how, years later, an expanded version of…
A new formulation of MediciNova’s investigational amyotrophic lateral sclerosis treatment ibudilast (MN-166) given via an intravenous (into the vein) infusion was found to be safe and well tolerated in healthy volunteers. That’s according to data from a recently completed Phase 1 clinical trial that tested the safety and…
Biological samples from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients who took part in the Phase 3 clinical trial of NurOwn, a cell-based therapy, are being donated by BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics to a repository for use by the research community. The samples include blood and spinal fluid (cerebrospinal fluid or CSF)…
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 —…
