Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurological disorder that leads to the loss of nerve cells. The disease is caused by genetic mutations, but also may be caused by environmental factors such as smoking or alcohol use. Diagnosing ALS can be difficult and multiple tests usually…
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurological disease that affects motor neurons, which are the nerve cells that control movement. Evidence of lower motor neuron degeneration is one of the El Escorial criteria for ALSÂ diagnosis. Lower motor neurons are those that go from the spinal cord…
Inhibition of the SARM1 gene can prevent the degeneration of nerve cells in the central, ocular, and peripheral nervous system in mice, results from preclinical studies show. These findings provide evidence for the use of small-molecule inhibitors of the SARM1 protein being developed by Disarm Therapeutics as potential disease-modifying therapeutics for…
Denali Therapeutics and Sanofi have joined efforts to develop small molecule inhibitors of the RIPK1 enzyme, a new class of potential therapeutic agents for a range of neurological and inflammatory diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The collaboration agreement is focused on the clinical development of two…
While TDP-43 aggregates are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases, researchers have found that these protein clumps are also involved in the regeneration of  healthy skeletal muscle. This finding — that abnormal TDP-43 aggregates temporarily form to repair damaged muscle — may open new lines of research into…
In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), patients experience progressive muscle weakness and a decline in motor control due to the death of nerve cells in the central nervous system that control the voluntary muscles. This can result in the patient experiencing a range of symptoms, including difficulty walking, muscle…
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disorder of the nervous system, which leads to the death of motor neurons, or nerve cells that control the voluntary muscles. As the disease progresses, many patients experience fatigue, a symptom that can severely affect quality of life. What causes fatigue…
Treatment with a compound called inosine over 12 weeks increased the levels of the antioxidant urate, a neuroprotective agent, in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a pilot trial. The investigational therapy also showed a positive safety and tolerability profile, indicating it might have potential as an…
Despite a lack of clinical evidence, complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are often used by patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), sometimes in combination with conventional medications, according to a review study. With scarce evidence on the safety and effectiveness of CAM in ALS and the possible risks they…
RNA molecules that are associated with genetic disorders characterized by damage to nerve fibers are found at higher-than-usual numbers in compartments of nerve cells, a new study reports. This finding may lead to new ways of treating neuromuscular diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal muscular atrophy and…
