Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disease characterized by the loss of motor neurons, the nerve cells that control muscle movement. As the disease progresses, nerve cells die, leading to muscle weakness and other symptoms of the disease. A factor that contributes to disease progression is an increase…
TUDCA (tauroursodeoxycholic acid) is a small molecule that is being explored for its potential as a treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Research has shown that TUDCA can decrease nerve cell death, a hallmark of ALS, through its ability to act as an antioxidant that prevents…
Telbivudine is a synthetic nucleoside developed by Novartis and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under the brand name Tyzeka for the treatment of hepatitis B. A recent study identified telbivudine as a potential treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). How…
People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have problems gaining and maintaining weight due to swallowing difficulties and digestive symptoms associated with the disease, resulting in malnutrition and energy deprivation. A neurologist and trained dietitian can help develop individual meal plans to suit the specific needs of patients…
Insufficient intake of nutrients and energy (malnutrition) and weight loss are common in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Decreased food intake occurs mainly because of symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, as well as issues with hand grip and movement. In addition, digestive symptoms can…
Citing research progress and other efforts, the late-stage biopharmaceutical company Cytokinetics has reaffirmed its burgeoning partnership with the ALS Association in its fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). For starters, the company is renewing its sponsorship of the association’s national Walk to Defeat ALS fundraisers, as well…
Using a smartphone to collect amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients’ self-reported scores in the ALS-specific functional rating scale revised (ALSFRS-R) is feasible and shows a high correlation to scores collected at clinical sites, a small pilot study shows. The study “Design and results of a smartphone-based digital…
Histamine-related genes are promising disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets to slow amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progression, a mouse study suggests. The study, “Histaminergic transmission slows progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,” was published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder…
Use of statins, the blood cholesterol-lowering medications, for more than a year was linked to a lower risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) among older adults, a large Medicare beneficiaries-based study suggests. The study “Relationship of statins and other cholesterol- lowering medications and risk of amyotrophic lateral…
More than 800 community members recently turned out for the inaugural Arrest and Extinguish ALS event in Lenox, Massachusetts, raising $50,000 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research. Twenty-two first-responder teams from the state’s Berkshires region gathered at the music venue Tanglewood to participate in a fun tug-of-war event…
