A neurotoxic amino acid called β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) fed to vervet monkeys caused damage to the spinal cord similar to what is seen in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), potentially making them a much-needed new animal model for research, a study reported. Adding L-serine, a non-toxic amino acid, to their diet…

“I don’t want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.” That sentiment, expressed by comedian Groucho Marx in 1949 about his affiliation with a particular social organization, was exactly my reaction in learning of…

Aiforia Technologies and NeuroScience Associates (NSA Labs) are collaborating in an effort to learn more about how amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) affects brain function. The project leverages NSA Lab’s neuroscience expertise and Aiforia’s artificial intelligence (AI) know-how. It came about after the donation of the entire…

Neuropore Therapies was awarded a $500,000 grant from The ALS Association to advance in preclinical work its neural protective candidate, NPT1220-312, as a potential treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The company is aiming to bring its molecule into clinical testing late next year. NPT1220-312 is a…

One of my biggest concerns is how my husband’s ALS will affect our children. They were both under 5 when Todd was diagnosed and while they are growing up, their father continues to lose strength. A couple of years into the disease, I was fastening Todd’s seat belt as our…

The protein synaptotagmin 13 (SYT13) protected motor neurons from degeneration in cell and animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a study reports, suggesting a gene therapy based on this protein’s related gene, SYT13, would treat these and other diseases of motor nerve cells.

“Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it’s been.” –Grateful Dead, “Truckin’“ Last month, I quietly acknowledged the 13th anniversary of my ALS diagnosis. As in years past, I mentioned the occasion’s passing to no one. Instead, the…

Impaired processing and buildup of protein aggregates associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are linked to a protein that regulates the uptake of substances into the cell, a process known as endocytosis, a study found. Enhancing endocytosis may be an…

People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may benefit from at-home monitoring using an app, a study found. The study, “Telehealth as part of specialized ALS care: feasibility and user experiences with ‘ALS home-monitoring and coaching’,” was published in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration. Providing…

Cognitive impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may be linked to the buildup of the protein TDP-43 in the brain, a new study suggests. However, TDP-43 alone likely isn’t the cause of such impairment, and due to the study’s small sample size, more research is needed to clarify…