Using a recumbent stepper is a safe and well-tolerated way for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to do physical exercise, a pilot study suggests. The study, “Recumbent stepping aerobic exercise in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a pilot study,” was published…

GPM Investments raised $244,263 for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neuromuscular disorders in its eighth holiday pinup fundraiser in 2018 in partnership the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Approximately 1,400 GPM convenience stores throughout the East Coast and Midwest regions of the U.S. participated in the campaign, including…

A new diagnostic score accounting for age at disease onset and motor neuron dysfunction in the brain is able to distinguish amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) from other neuromuscular disorders early in disease process, a study reports. The study, “Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnostic index: Toward a personalized diagnosis of ALS,”…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients who complete the ongoing Phase 3 REFALS clinical trial evaluating levosimendan (also known as ODM-109) will soon have the opportunity to enroll in an open-label extension study. Levosimendan is an oral treatment developed by Orion that is being investigated for its ability to relieve breathing…

A small molecule known as mir-494-3p might play a protective role in the survival of motor nerve cells, a discovery that could lead to the development of new therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study suggests. The study, “Micro-RNAs secreted through astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles cause neuronal network…

Suppressing an enzyme known as MAP4K4 extended the survival of motor neurons collected from mice and patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and decreased the accumulation of toxic proteins associated with the disease, a study reports. These findings from the study, titled “MAP4K4 Activation Mediates Motor…

An immune response triggered by T-cells contributed to the elimination of motor neurons in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study shows. The study, “Cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes expressing ALS-causing SOD1 mutant selectively trigger death of spinal motoneurons,” was published in PNAS. ALS is…

Tau and FUS proteins may contribute to a cellular process common to both amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and dementia, a rare case suggests. The case was reported in a study, “Combined FUS+ Basophilic Inclusion Body Disease and Atypical Tauopathy Presenting with an ALS/MND‐plus Phenotype,” published…

MediciNova’s  investigational therapy ibudilast (MN-166) combined with Rilutek (riluzole), for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases, has been given final approval — a notice of allowance stating that its request for a patent is being considered by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Receiving a notice of allowance is the final…

Swim training improves muscle strength and energy metabolism in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study, “Swim Training Modulates Mouse Skeletal Muscle Energy Metabolism and Ameliorates Reduction in Grip Strength in a Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,” was published in the International Journal…