Researchers at California’s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have re-created the blood-brain barrier, a vital component of the central nervous system, using Organ-Chip technology by Emulate. This advances the possibility of patient-specific treatments for neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Blood-brain barrier defect has been linked to…
Low levels of membralin protein in the brain cells that support and protect neurons lead to the accumulation of the neurotransmitter glutamate to levels that induce the death of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a mouse study shows. A gene therapy that rescued the levels of…
In the summer of 2014, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge took social media by storm. Aimed primarily at raising awareness of the disease, the effort resulted in marked increases in spending on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research, an independent study shows. According to the report by…
MediciNova has launched the Phase 2b/3 clinical trial that will explore the potential of ibudilast (MN-166) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Pending the success of the trial, the collected data will support the submission of a new drug application and the approval of ibudilast…
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the death of motor neurons — the nerve cells that control muscle movement. The primary symptoms of ALS include muscle weakness, tremors, and cramps. However, patients may experience other symptoms — including digestive problems that may contribute…
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of motor nerves, which are the nerve cells that control muscle movement. As the disease progresses, patients develop disabilities that worsen over time. Within a few years of diagnosis, patients may lose the ability to…
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disease characterized by the loss of motor neurons, the nerve cells that control muscle movement. As the disease progresses, nerve cells die, leading to muscle weakness and other symptoms of the disease. A factor that contributes to disease progression is an increase…
TUDCA (tauroursodeoxycholic acid) is a small molecule that is being explored for its potential as a treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Research has shown that TUDCA can decrease nerve cell death, a hallmark of ALS, through its ability to act as an antioxidant that prevents…
Telbivudine is a synthetic nucleoside developed by Novartis and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under the brand name Tyzeka for the treatment of hepatitis B. A recent study identified telbivudine as a potential treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). How…
People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have problems gaining and maintaining weight due to swallowing difficulties and digestive symptoms associated with the disease, resulting in malnutrition and energy deprivation. A neurologist and trained dietitian can help develop individual meal plans to suit the specific needs of patients…
