Mutations causing a complete loss of function of the SOD1 gene lead to severe motor problems, a case study reports, calling for caution in research into silencing this gene as a  potential treatment for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The case study, “SOD1 deficiency: a novel syndrome…

People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have an altered composition of their gut microbial community, with an increase in harmful microbes and a decrease in beneficial microorganisms, according to a new small study. This altered gut microbiota could drive digestive problems in those with ALS, the researchers said. The…

Inactivation of ATG7, one of the genes that controls autophagy — a process in which cells degrade or recycle components that are damaged or no longer needed — is linked to the onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a study says. Results from…

Diet is a major factor when it comes to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Quality of diet, proper macronutrient and micronutrient balance, and absorption all require great attention.  At the core, however, is maintaining a healthy body weight, which is essential…

New research has identified the RPS25 gene as a key player that allows the production of mutated C9orf72 protein — one that is prone to aggregation, or clumps. The gene that codes for this protein is one of the most commonly mutated genes underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug status to Apic Bio‘s APB-102, an investigational gene therapy aiming to treat familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) associated with mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene. “This orphan drug designation represents an important…

Cognitive problems have limited impact on overall health-related quality of life (QoL) in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — but verbal fluency and space orientation are among the factors linked to patients’ emotional well-being, according to new research. The study, “Cognitive deficits have only…

While rehabilitation programs that include exercise are helpful to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, no extra benefit was seen by raising the number of weekly sessions from a standard two to five, a small study from Italy reports. The study, “High‐frequency motor rehabilitation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a randomized…

The gut microbiome — the natural collection of microorganisms living in our guts —  might influence the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), recent research suggests. Specifically, researchers found that a metabolite produced by the Akkermansia muciniphila bacteria, called nicotinamide, slowed disease progression and prolonged survival in an ALS mouse…

Concerns over an active pharmaceutical ingredient used in a 2017 study of Nurtec (riluzole) as a bioequivalent medicine were voiced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in its response to a request for the treatment’s approval for  amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), its developer, Biohaven Pharmaceuticals,…