Scientists have discovered how adult skin cells can be converted into motor neurons without transitioning them through a stem cell state. The findings promise to help researchers better understand motor neuron diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study, “MicroRNAs Induce a Permissive Chromatin Environment that…

Project ALS and Amylyx Pharmaceuticals will collaborate on preclinical studies of Amylyx’s lead compound AMX0035 as a potential treatment for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These studies will complement Amylyx’s recently initiated Phase 2 CENTAUR clinical trial (NCT03127514), which will evaluate AMX0035 in 132 patients. Since mitochondrial…

Expression of the calcium channel Cacophony in certain motor neurons restored motor defects in a fruit fly model with TDP-43 loss, a condition found in  neurodegenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia, a new study shows. The study, “Restoration of motor defects caused by loss…

The ALS Association of Georgia has received a $10,000 donation from William Mills Agency (WMA), an independent public relations and content marketing firm, to help the non-profit fund research and services to the local amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) community. William Mills lost its founder, William ‘Bill’ Mills Jr.,…

This video from Alisa Apreleva is all about an awareness campaign in Moscow, Russia, that’s helping to highlight amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). MORE: What research is being done on ALS? The video features Russian recording artists and patients in various stages of the disease singing a specially written and composed…

https://vimeo.com/216244227 This film by Dan Habib is all about the extraordinary life of high school principal Gene Connolly. Connolly was the much-loved principal of Concord High School for 14 years before he was struck by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2014. MORE: Explaining the progression…

Dutch researchers have identified new genes and biological mechanisms possibly involved in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with and without amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study, “Susceptible genes and disease mechanisms identified in frontotemporal dementia and frontotemporal dementia with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis by DNA-methylation and GWAS,” appeared in the…

Levels of some microRNAs (MIRs) regulating re-innervation and muscle regeneration among amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, while others are lower, an Italian study has found. These molecules help distinguish slow from rapid-progression ALS, and the findings suggest that therapeutic approaches targeting these MIRs may help delay disease progression. The study,…

Mutations in the C9ORF72 gene of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) might make it more difficult for them to use brain-computer interfaces, says a study published in the journal Scientific Reports. The study, “Expansion of C9ORF72 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis correlates with brain-computer interface performance,” suggests not only…

Kip Fontana was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2010 and was told by his doctors that he had between three and seven years to live — but Kip had different plans. Seven and a half years later, he has just competed in his first 5K race. MORE: Living with…