Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. It is characterized by the destruction of motor neurons or nerve cells that control muscle movement, leading to disability. Incidence of ALS The average incidence rate of ALS worldwide is about one in…
Kadimastem’s experimental cell therapy — AstroRx — may slow disease progression in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to interim results in a first group of patients treated in a Phase 1/2a study. AstroRx consists of functional healthy astrocytes — cells that support and protect neurons…
Synchron Inc. has successfully completed the first brain implantation of the Stentrode as part of a clinical feasibility trial. The first-in-human study is designed to assess the potential of this technology to restore communication in patients who suffer from severe paralysis, including those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Stentrode…
A compound found in rice bran oil may lower oxidative stress levels and may be beneficial to people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, an early study in fruit flies and disease-related cell models shows. These findings were reported in the study “γ-Oryzanol mitigates oxidative stress and prevents mutant SOD1-Related neurotoxicity…
Sativex, a cannabis-based product, may help ease spasticity (stiff muscles) in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a German real-world study suggests. The study, “Real world experience of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the treatment of spasticity using tetrahydrocannabinol:cannabidiol (THC:CBD),” was published recently in the…
In a study using dogs, the combination of infusing riluzole directly into the spinal cord and also taking it orally increased the concentration of the medication in the spinal cord significantly, compared to oral administration alone. The results of the study suggest that this combination therapy may increase its benefits…
Measuring lung function can help to predict overall disease progression in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study suggests. “Classifying Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients by Changes in Forced Vital Capacity: A Group-Based Trajectory Analysis” was published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care…
Stem cell-derived motor neurons from people with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have mutation-specific alterations in glutamate receptors and calcium signals, which may alter nerve signaling and play a role in the disease, a study found. These findings may lead to future…
Clusters containing a protein called LAT use specific adapters to move and drive the activation of T-cells to fight off infection, according to a study, the findings of which may help design immune cells with more selective effects, the researchers suggest. The study, “A composition-dependent molecular clutch…
Being underweight when they start supported feeding puts patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at risk for poor outcomes at later stages of the disease, an Italian study has found. The study, “Nutritional prognostic factors for survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients undergone percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement,”…
