Takeda Canada and the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) are teaming up to conduct joint research aimed at developing new therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The collaborative effort includes developing and examining multiple cell assays from ALS patients over the next three years, from 2017 to 2020,…

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has added Radicava (edaravone) to its national formulary (VANF), making it possible for veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to access treatment within the VA’s healthcare system, according to Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America (MTPA). The VANF is a list of drugs and…

Four students from New York have been named national finalists in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology held at Carnegie Mellon University, after earning top spots in one of the two regional competitions that took place this month. The competition is hosted by the Siemens Foundation. Of…

WASHINGTON — Visitors to the ALS Association’s Washington, D.C., headquarters can’t help but notice the silver baseball bat sitting in a glass display case at the entrance. An inscription says the Louisville Slugger was presented in 1989 to Rodney L. Houts, the nonprofit group’s first president and CEO, to mark…

Anthony Senerchia Jr., the 46-year-old man who served as the inspiration for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, died on Nov. 25. He lived with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for 14 years. Senerchia was diagnosed with ALS shorty after marrying his high school sweetheart, Jeanette Hane, in 2003. In…

Analyzing muscles via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help detect small physiological changes that happen when motor neuron diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) get worse, concludes a study by British researchers. The study, “Imaging muscle as a potential biomarker of denervation in motor neuron disease” appeared…

Expressing “profound disappointment” with tirasemtiv — their lead candidate for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — officials at Cytokinetics have ended development of the once-promising therapy. Robert I. Blum, president and chief executive officer of the San Francisco-based biotech, announced negative results for VITALITY-ALS (NCT02496767)…

  Being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can be devastating for patients and their families and friends, but there are ways to move forward. We’ve put together a list of coping strategies to help you get through the first few weeks with help from the Mayo Clinic and alswindsor.ca. Allow time and…

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is financing 13 new research programs aimed at developing treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other life-threatening diseases. Toward that goal, the organization recently announced it would distribute $3.5 million in new development grants. For the summer round of grants, 244 applicants submitted…