Ludwig Cancer Research scientist Don Cleveland has received a $3 million Breakthrough Prize for increasing science’s understanding of how an inherited form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis develops. His work focused on glia, cells that support the body’s production of a protein called myelin, which protects nerve cells. Deterioration of myelin…

Scientists have long believed that ALS was confined to one area of the brain, but an Irish study shows it affects a number of regions. Researchers at Trinity College Dublin’s Academic Unit of Neurology used electroencephalography, or EEG, to record patients’ brain activity. They discovered that nerve cell communication was lower…

https://vimeo.com/165626427 There are currently around 30,000 people in the U.S. living with ALS and that number grows by approximately 15 each day. MORE: Learn about Nanci, a much-loved Hollywood publicist who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2014 This ALS Association of Texas video explains amyotrophic lateral…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with locked-in syndrome reported having a satisfactory quality of life and low levels of depression, in spite of their near-complete disability, in a small but recent study. The results of the questionaire-based study were presented by its lead author, Dorothée Lulé, at the 28th…

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics released new data on potential biomarkers from its Phase 2 trial investigating NurOwn, the company’s cell therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), at the International Symposium on ALS/MND meeting held in Boston last week. Both these findings and an ongoing Phase 3 trial, now recruiting patients in…

Pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial results presented at this year’s 28th International Symposium on ALS/MND reveal that Cytokinetics‘ investigational therapy tirasemtiv failed to provide a positive therapeutic impact on both muscle strength and slow vital capacity (SVC) in ALS patients. The results, which were presented by Jeremy Shefner, MD,…

The rate of ALS patients’ lung-function decline can predict their risk of breathing failure, their need for assisted ventilation, and their risk of death, according to Cytokinetics, a company that develops muscle-disease therapies. “These results suggest that respiratory function is an important prognostic indicator of clinical progression in people with…

Additional data on Radicava (edaravone) and the clinical trial that led to its approval to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) will be presented in oral and poster presentations at the 28th International Symposium on ALS/MND that opens in Boston on Friday. Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America announced that its one oral…

An amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis can be devastating for both the patient and their family. If a loved one has recently been diagnosed with ALS, they’ll need your support now more than ever. Remember to be understanding and patient. We’ve put together a list of things to consider if a someone close to you has…

In this TEDx Talks video, Steven Boeynaems explains that although we have known about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for 140 years, scientists still know very little about the condition that affects around 200,000 people worldwide. MORE: Seven interesting facts about ALS Boeynaems talks about the role of TDP-43 proteins and…