The ancient Greeks first introduced the term “parrhesia,” meaning “free speech,” around the end of the fifth century B.C. From a literal perspective, ALS has taught me that the concept is a misnomer. Like nearly everything else, there is…

A single brain area previously thought to control only the movement of the hands and arms also may control movement across all four limbs, a study found. This discovery opens new avenues for the use of brain-computer interfaces in people who have lost control of their arms and legs,…

People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are less likely to have used anti-diabetic medications in the five years preceding their diagnosis than matched individuals of the same population, a study found, supporting an inverse association between diabetes treatments and the risk of ALS. The research also points to…

Tikomed has secured $5.5 million in financing from investors to support the ongoing clinical development of ILB, its lead therapy candidate for degenerative neurological diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The funding also will help develop Ibsolvmir, a therapy to increase the effectiveness of transplanting cells to treat patients…

When someone asked my husband how he is doing in light of COVID-19, Todd replied, “Our life isn’t that much different. Now everyone else is dealing with what we have been living with for years.” There are similarities between life during this pandemic and life with ALS. 1. We already…

Target ALS and The ALS Association will jointly fund two projects focused on the development of new tests to evaluate TDP-43’s potential as a biomarker of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Nearly all ALS cases are characterized by the formation of toxic aggregates (clumps) containing the TDP-43 protein. These…

Recently I chanced upon a re-broadcast of an entrée from the PBS series, “American Masters.” As the subject, Andrew Wyeth, was one of my late dad’s favorite artists, I enthusiastically opted in. It did not disappoint. Beyond inspiring…

Human cells produce a type of proteins, termed “Heroes,” that protect against the formation of toxic protein aggregates involved in several neurological conditions, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and are extremely resistant to harsh conditions, early study results show. Organisms naturally use Hero proteins as molecular shields to stabilize…

Levels of specific proteins found in specialized immune cells — white blood cells like lymphocytes and monocytes — can serve as biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), helping doctors to diagnose the disease and its likely progression, a study reported. These specialized immune cells, called peripheral blood…

Bloom Science, a biopharmaceutical company, announced it has received a $500,000 grant from The ALS Association to advance a treatment that, by managing bacteria populations in the gut, might restore neurotransmitters in the brain to ease motor symptoms of…