Treatment of people whose symptoms are suggestive of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) but likely linked to a retrovirus called human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) should focus on alleviating symptoms and lowering the viral load, a case report highlights. The report, “Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus…

The teeth of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) show their bodies metabolize metals — from chromium to zinc — in abnormal ways starting in infancy, and these changes predispose them to ALS disease as adults. The study, which looked at how metal uptake early in life can affect…

Statins, often prescribed to lower cholesterol levels, are not associated with poorer overall survival in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and should not be discontinued on that basis, a German study has found. The study, “Statins, diabetes mellitus, and prognosis of Amyotrophic…

Two bills making their way through Congress are intended to improve access to medical therapies for those most in need, and in particular, those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., announced his plan to introduce a bill to hasten the regulatory process for making promising therapies…

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed new challenges on diagnosing, monitoring, and caring for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), from the absence of in-person visits to a lack of available equipment at hospitals. But the expansion of telemedicine may be a way to overcome these challenges, and allow…

For people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) currently on non-invasive ventilation, modifications to existing equipment may help to minimize risk of an infection for both them and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The equipment adaptations were discussed in a letter to the editor, “Modification…

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America (MTPA) has set up a support program for adults living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and wanting to learn more about this disease and Radicava (edaravone), an intravenous ALS treatment the company markets in the U.S. Called JourneyMate, the program connects ALS patients…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given fast track designation to Orphazyme’s investigational therapy arimoclomol for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A therapy candidate is put on the FDA’s fast…

Levels of creatinine kinase — a marker of muscle damage — are elevated in most amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and appear to be significantly higher among those whose disease progresses at a slower pace, a study in patients and mice shows. These findings suggest that this protein, whose rise…

Changing the composition of bacteria in the gut using antibiotics or fecal transplants may help prevent or reduce the severity of symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study in mice with the most common ALS mutation shows. This gut-brain connection may help explain why some patients with this…