What is ALS? Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the nerves that control muscle movement. Patients are generally diagnosed between ages 55–75. Symptoms can range from mild to very severe and may progress at different rates for different…

After gathering input from patients, researchers, and advocates, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released new guidance on the development of therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Among its recommendations, it is advising more communication with companies early on in the product development process, access to…

A detailed analysis of the communication network between nerve and muscle cells in turtles has shed new light on how movement is controlled and maintained. These findings on how motor nerve cells communicate may help scientists better understand the underlying mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or spinal injury.

Kadimastem’s experimental cell therapy — AstroRx — may slow disease progression in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to interim results in a first group of patients treated in a Phase 1/2a study. AstroRx consists of functional healthy astrocytes — cells that support and protect neurons…

The Sean M. Healey & AMG Center at Mass General has chosen five “promising” candidate treatments from among 30 applications to test in its first platform trial for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The platform trial — a type of a clinical study that tests the efficacy of multiple…

A toxin produced by algae may contribute to the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by lowering the stability of a protein in the brain, a new study suggests. Titled “β-Methylamino-L-alanine substitution of serine in SOD1 suggests a direct role in ALS etiology,” the study was…

Fight Motor Neuron Disease (FightMND) has awarded Clene Nanomedicine‘s Australian subsidiary $1.37 million AUD (approximately $924,000) to advance clinical studies of a new amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) candidate treatment. These funds will support a Phase 2 clinical trial, named RESCUE-ALS, that will assess the efficacy and safety…

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent warning letters to three companies that sell cannabis-based products containing cannabidiol (CBD), cautioning them that making unsubstantiated claims about the health benefits of CBD could lead to legal action. The agency “urges the companies to review all claims made for…

A compound found in rice bran oil may lower oxidative stress levels and may be beneficial to people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, an early study in fruit flies and disease-related cell models shows. These findings were reported in the study “γ-Oryzanol mitigates oxidative stress and prevents mutant SOD1-Related neurotoxicity…

Daily use of levosimendan capsules appear to preserve respiratory strength in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) while in a supine, or lying flat, position, a sub-analysis of the Phase 2 LEVALS trial reports. Treatment did not show significant benefit against placebo when patients were sitting up, its primary…