Markers of oxidative stress, iron metabolism in the brain and nerve cell damage may accurately predict disability in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to new research. The study, “A ferroptosis-based panel of prognostic biomarkers for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,” appeared in the journal Scientific…

Examining the genetic risk for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may become a lot easier with a user-friendly tool called ALSgeneScanner, which is meant to be used by non-specialists such as health care professionals and patients. The method is able to analyze DNA sequencing data from patients and distinguish…

People affected by depression before being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have a higher risk of developing cognitive impairments at later stages of the disease, a study says. The findings of the study, “Depression and risk of cognitive dysfunctions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,” were…

Professional soccer players may be at higher risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) compared to the general population. The preliminary findings will be presented at the 2019 American Academy of Neurology’s (AAN) 71st Annual Meeting, May 4-10 in Philadelphia. According to the study’s data, professional players are twice…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with higher levels of organic pollutants in their blood have reduced survival rates, according to a study conducted in Michigan. The study, “High plasma concentrations of organic pollutants negatively impact survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,” was published in the Journal…

A modified experimental version of the TDP-43 protein has revealed the underlying mechanisms that support its accumulation and the formation of toxic aggregates implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a study reports. A detailed understanding of TDP-43-mediated neurotoxicity may help researchers find new targeted…

Loss of a protein known as ubiquilin causes defects in degradation centers called lysosomes, promoting the buildup of brain waste in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia, a fruit fly study has found. The study, “Ubiquilins regulate autophagic flux through mTOR signalling and lysosomal acidification,” was published in…

Smoking is associated with a greater risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a new study. The research, “Smoking and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Mendelian Randomization Study,” appeared in the journal Annals of Neurology. Cigarette smoking has been proposed as a risk…

Greater knowledge about clinical trials and the importance of genetic testing, as well as increased access to expert care, are key needs for people with neuromuscular disease, including those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a large survey. The ONEVoice survey included 3,362 respondents, 2,430 of…

Enhanced production of a protein called Vps4 was shown to delay the degenerative process in injured nerve cells, which may help researchers to better understand and treat nerve damage in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study says. The findings were published…