A mutation in the STMN2 gene that consists of an excessive repeat of two nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA, is not associated with the greater risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a new study reported. Its findings contradict previous research suggesting a link between this particular mutation and ALS. “Although the…

Two independent teams of scientists have unraveled the molecular mechanism by which abnormal localization of the TDP-43 protein, which is characteristic of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), leads to reduced levels of another protein, called UNC13A, that is important for nerve cell function. The results also show that certain variations…

At face value, the purpose of the National Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Registry seems quite straightforward: collecting data on the U.S. population with ALS. But there’s a lot more to it. The registry, funded by the…

The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology has received a $20,000 ALS Association grant to continue its research collaboration with Crestwood Medical Center in Alabama. Called “Impacting ALS,” the project’s goal is to identify genetic changes that contribute to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with the overarching goal…

Bloom Science and Duke University have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement that provides the biopharmaceutical company access to the intellectual property and technology related to unique strain isolates and genetic variants of Akkermansia genus bacteria. This type of bacteria has been demonstrated to slow disease progression…

Genetic sequencing and the speed with which it can help diagnose a child’s disease — in addition to revealing the genes that cause at least half of the 7,000 rare diseases currently known — was the focus of a discussion by three top New York geneticists. The Feb. 28 conference,…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may be linked to genetic factors that promote cardiovascular fitness, according to a study indicating that ALS patients’ parents died of cardiovascular disease less often. But researchers underscored that it is not physical activity that increases the risk of ALS. The study, “Exploring…

A recent review highlights the importance of population-based registers of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Europe, which for more than 20 years have helped scientists understand the disease’s incidence, prevalence, characterization and genetics, as well as the outcome assessment of clinical trials. The review, “The changing picture of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: lessons from…

A recent study from researchers in Canada and Japan describes a new possible target for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The paper, titled “Ubiquilin-2 drives NF-κB activity and cytosolic TDP-43 aggregation in neuronal cells,” appeared on Oct. 31 in the journal Molecular Brain.

A new research collaboration was recently formed between Biogen Idec, the ALS Association and Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) to study the differences and similarities in ALS’ disease progress and how an patient’s genes can influence its clinical manifestations. The joint research initiative, titled, “Genomic Translation for ALS Clinical care” (GTAC), will entail…