The gene expression profiles of motor neurons — the specialized nerve cells that control movement and are lost in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — vary among men and women, with substantial differences found between the sexes in a new study done using induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs. “The…

Is anyone else feeling winter-bluesy-cabin-feverish? I know I am. I’ve been feeling that way for the past couple days. It always happens to me at this time of year, and because I live with ALS, it’s especially challenging. I blame my off-kilter mood on February, with its dark mornings…

A team of U.S. researchers have identified two proteins in the lab — PIKFYVE and SYF2 — that may each be a useful therapeutic target for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Their findings on these potential molecular targets were published in a pair of studies earlier this month. “Our…

A group of experts, led by scientists from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), has published a set of strategic priorities for the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) community that are expected to guide future research funding. The goals include better understanding the biology underlying ALS, finding…

Significant delays in the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) were revealed by a new large-scale analysis of real-world patient records using artificial intelligence (AI). In fact, the median time from the first symptom to an ALS diagnosis was 11 months for these patients. Similar delays were seen regardless…

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…