German researchers have identified a new gene — called NEK1 — that appears to be responsible for familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Loss of function mutations in the gene were more common in ALS patients than in healthy controls, according to findings published in the journal Brain. Familial ALS…

Jen and Pat Quinn, alumni from Iona College, were distinguished during the halftime at the Iona College Men’s basketball game versus Quinnipiac for their fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).  Video by SALRADIO. Learn more about ALS here: https://bit.ly/1RmVMwo…

OptiKey is a free, assistive on-screen keyboard software for computers on the Windows operating system. It is designed to be used with a low cost eye-tracking device to enable speech and keyboard and mouse control to people with motor and speech limitations, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or…

Last week’s hot topic on ALS was an article titled Biohaven’s ALS Drug Candidate BHV-0223 Receives Positive FDA Feedback written by Magdalena Kegel. The article is focused on the recently announcement that Portage Biotech and Biohaven Pharmaceuticals  have received positive feedback from the U.S.

Motor neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can begin in axons at neuromuscular junctions and later spread to the cell body in the spinal cord, in a phenomenon known as the “dying back” hypothesis. Proteins involved in axonal regeneration may, for this reason, represent a potential therapeutic target in ALS. A research team from Germany found…

Portage Biotech and Biohaven Pharmaceuticals recently announced they have received positive feedback from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on their Pre-Investigational New Drug Application (PIND) interaction regarding Biohaven’s investigative drug BHV-0223, intended for treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). BHV-0223 is the glutamate modulating compound riluzole, contained in the tablet…

In a new study, researchers found a protein in the p53 family, called p63, is increased in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and is a significant player in disease progression through the regulation of the activity of genes that promote the breakdown of muscle cells. The study, “Transcriptional activator TAp63 is upregulated in muscular atrophy during…

“Meet Jim Barber, one of the four people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) honored by the ALS Association, in February 2016, for their extraordinary efforts in making a difference for the ALS community.” Read more on ALS here: https://bit.ly/1RmVMwo…

Cytokinetics announced that it has joined with efforts by the European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS) and the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) to raise awareness for Rare Disease Day. Cytokinetics is focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing new types of muscle activators, and has developed the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) drug candidate…

Meet Nanci Ryder, one of the four people with amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis (ALS) honored by the ALS Association, in February 2016, for their extraordinary efforts in making a difference for the ALS community. Read more on ALS here: https://bit.ly/1RmVMwo…