A widely used saying in the English lexicon, “Hope springs eternal,” was coined by the poet Alexander Pope to simply suggest that hope is always available to us. It means a great deal to patients with rare, fatal diseases and our loved ones to know that hope is…
Human motor neurons rely on a specialized molecular architecture to help support their large size, which may partially explain why they are more vulnerable than other nerve cells to damage in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). That’s according to the study, “A cellular taxonomy of the adult…
A small Phase 2 clinical trial is evaluating the safety and tolerability of investigational treatment candidate EPI-589 in adults with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The EPIC-ALS trial (jRCT2061210031), being conducted in Japan, will also assess exploratory effectiveness outcomes after six months of treatment. Data collection began in September…
A wearable robotic device that helps lift the shoulders to support arm movements can make it easier for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to do daily tasks, a new study reports. Using the lightweight device — now a fabric-based robot prototype — led to significant improvements in upper…
Confirming a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is typically a complex process that involves testing for signs indicative of the progressive neurodegenerative disease, and ruling out other potential disorders that could cause similar symptoms.
When baseball legend Lou Gehrig was diagnosed with ALS in 1939, unfortunately, not much about the disease was being discussed at the time. Instead, Gehrig’s career and baseball prowess dominated the news and public discourse. His larger-than-life persona was well deserved, but his illness was also larger than…
While my late husband, Jeff, was living with ALS, there was a place where we both felt supported and hopeful, his disease understood. Driving through the streets of Baltimore as we wound our way toward the Johns Hopkins ALS Clinic, I could’ve felt trepidation, as sometimes on clinic…
More than a dozen years ago, my friend Jana helped me process my grief after my husband, Todd, was diagnosed with ALS. She and I walked around our neighborhood, pushing our babies in strollers as our toddlers rode their bikes. Jana listened and didn’t offer platitudes. We now…
A Phase 1/2 clinical trial testing the investigational imaging agent 18F-OP-801 in healthy volunteers and people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has enrolled its first patient. Ashvattha Therapeutics‘ agent is designed to detect inflammation in imaging exams like positron emission tomography (PET) or MRI scans. This is possible…
Even though I continue to practice daily voice skills to help me prepare for in-person conversations, I’m still challenged by the pronunciation of certain words. Often, I avoid the word altogether and use a simpler version. Or I simply plow ahead, slurring and bumbling my way and relying on lots…
