Lately, I’ve been pondering the many ways our lives have changed for the sake of safety, like tamper-proof packaging, airport screening, and two-step password verification. I get it. Identity thieves are everywhere, so are scammers, along with the just plain crazies. We might be a little safer, but I…

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC) is seeking approval to manufacture and market MT-1186, an oral formulation of edaravone, in Japan for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A similar application recently gained priority review in the U.S., which reduced regulatory review time from the standard 10 months to six months. A…

Exposure to certain toxic compounds — including beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), formaldehyde, and heavy metals like manganese, mercury, and zinc — increases the likelihood of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a review paper. Its authors argue that with BMAA — a toxic compound made by algae — enough evidence…

Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals has partnered with Roche to further develop its brain-penetrating, oral small molecules for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases. These small molecules are designed to eliminate the persistent stress granules that contribute to the buildup of toxic protein clumps in…

Tau protein levels are unusually high in the motor cortex of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with a mutation in the C9orf72 gene, a study reported. The motor cortex, a part of the cerebral cortex responsible for the planning, control, and implementation of voluntary movement, is the brain region most…

I was struck by the wording in an advertisement in Quest magazine, a publication of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, that invited people “coping with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)” to participate in an observational study. I think of “coping” as not only dealing with something difficult, but doing so…

It feels like a win when we can figure out how to include my husband, Todd, in game nights. He is paralyzed because of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), so any game that requires writing or moving is a challenge. That would include most games, but we can make some…

“How am I supposed to drive when I can’t see anything?” my nearly 16-year-old daughter asked. Sara and I were logging night-driving hours, which are required before she can take the second segment of driver’s education in January. She already has 12 hours behind the wheel, mostly during the day,…

Before his recent death, motor neuron disease (MND) patient Anthony Walsh had the opportunity to try a prototype Toyota Human Support Robot (HSR), providing a glimpse into the kind of technology that could be used to help people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other MNDs with everyday tasks. Walsh, who was…

“You hold the key to love and fear All in your trembling hand Just one key unlocks them both It’s there at your command Come on people now Smile on your brother Everybody get together…