A compound that stabilizes a protein crucial for the survival of motor neurons helped cells of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients survive longer in experiments performed in lab dishes. The discovery builds on research about a childhood neuromuscular disease — spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) — and may lead to new treatments…

Insights into the behavior of TDP-43 — a key protein in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) development — may offer clues in preventing protein aggregation, potentially leading to new treatments for the disease. And the new level of understanding of how the protein is controlled and what it does in the cell…

Mutations in the FUS gene, which are the major cause of juvenile forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are linked to the loss of motor neurons. European researchers have now found that these mutations also affect other cell types in the brain. The French-German study, “Motor neuron intrinsic and extrinsic…

The nonprofit HealthWell Foundation has just launched a pioneering fund to assist patients living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The fund will provide up to $15,000 in co-payment or premium assistance to eligible Medicare patients who have annual household incomes up to 500 percent of the federal poverty…

Suppressing the expression of a protein called ataxin-2 may prolong survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a recent mouse study. The study, “Therapeutic Reduction Of Ataxin-2 Extends Lifespan And Reduces Pathology In TDP-43 Mice,” was published in the journal Nature. According to researchers, nearly…

There are some similarities between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Both are diseases that attack the central nervous system, affecting the muscles and how you move your body. MORE: Find out about the early symptoms of ALS. They also both causes scarring around nerve…

Two brothers will travel across the U.S. to raise money for Project ALS to support a project testing a promising drug in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Mike Devlin, a 27-year-old ultramarathon runner, will begin his 100-day run in San Francisco on April 15. Mike will run 3,000 miles across America, and…

Israel’s BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics has announced positive top-line Phase 2 data on NurOwn, a customized stem-cell therapy technology to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). BrainStorm has been developing and commercializing NurOwn in partnership with Ramot, the business engagement unit of Tel Aviv University. NurOwn enables the production of growth factors that…

This video series by the Brattleboro Reformer follows Andy Leclaire’s journey with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this particular episode, friends and family reflect on Andy’s life and his struggle with the disease. It focuses on how Andy’s loved ones are doing since he passed and the effect his death has had…

Preclinical testing will soon begin in VY-SOD101, a compound seen as a potential treatment for a certain gene mutation found in people with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).  Its developer,  Voyager Therapeutics, hopes to follow this work, if successful, with clinical trials in patients  in about two years. Patients with ALS typically develop weakness…