Scientists at Umeå University have found that  superoxide dysmutase (SOD1), a protein that may cause amylotophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) spreads and clumps when injected into mice. The protein deposits also cause ALS-like symptoms. The report, titled “Two superoxide dismutase prion strains transmit amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-like disease” appeared May 3, 2016…

SOD1 protein aggregates can spread in a prion-like way, rapidly causing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) when injected into the spinal cord of mice carrying a human mutated SOD1 gene. The results, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, substantially advance insights into mechanisms in hereditary ALS, and…

May marks ALS Awareness Month, a grassroots campaign led by the ALS Association to improve understanding of, and raise research money for, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Each May the ALS Association sponsors activities that include National ALS Advocacy Day, leading a delegation of ALS patients, their caregivers, and other advocates to Capitol Hill to urge…

Dr. Joe Beckman, PhD, at the Oregon State University, has been studying the chemistry of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis for quite a while. Together with other researchers, Dr. Beckman has been able to demonstrate a treatment which can dramatically extend the survival rate of laboratory mice who…

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation has awarded a $25,000 New Century Scholars Research Grant to neuroscientist Jonathan Brumberg to develop a brain-computer interface (BCI) that directly controls existing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. The platform is expected to aid people with profound speech and motor impairments due to neurodegenerative disorders such as…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rare, incurable disease which slowly takes control of your body by paralyzing your muscles one by one. In this video from Muna Baradi, find out more about eyeclickdonation.org, an initiative designed to help you gain understanding of how it is to live…

University of Florida Health researchers have developed a mouse model of the most common genetic mutation that causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The model, which captures the molecular, behavioral, and neurodegenerative features of the disease, could greatly aid in the development of more effective therapeutic agents. The paper detailing the model,…

Results from the Phase 3 trial of edaravone (MCI-186) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) were presented by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation at the 68th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology held April 15-21 in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Phase 3 MCI-186-19 clinical study has reportedly met its primary efficacy endpoint of mean change…

In this video, watch some gentle chair exercises for people living with ALS. Dagmar Munn shared this video in 2015, where she demonstrates some gentle exercises directed at patients with low mobility. They are really simple, slow, easy-to-follow sequences of movement that provide a break from…

In 2015, the Wyss Institute shared this video where they present a soft robotic glove which could lead to a dramatic improvement of day-to-day life for ALS patients. The glove could be an assistive device used for grasping objects, which would be seen as a great…