In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), nerve cells in the spinal cord responsible for inhibiting motor neurons are lost in the early stages of the disease, before the motor neurons themselves, according to a new study done in a genetic mouse model of ALS. The researchers also found that excitatory…

While it’s long been believed that the death of motor neurons in the spinal cord is the main cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), new research suggests that degeneration of motor neurons in the brain takes place independently and may also contribute to the disease. The study’s work in…

Mast cells, a type of immune cell, infiltrate the spinal cord of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and rodent models of the disease, exhibiting pro-inflammatory features that are likely involved in motor neuron and microvasculature damage, a study suggests. Notably, treating these mice models with masitinib — an experimental oral…

Injecting a specific type of stem cells into the bloodstream was able to reduce muscle shrinkage and promote motor neuron survival in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study found. According to investigators, the findings indicate these stem cells, known as multi-lineage differentiating stress enduring (Muse)…

A comparison of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) among U.S. military veterans found those who lived the longest with this disease — an average of 16.3 years in more than 40% of those studied —  had a younger age at onset but slower initial progression.  Findings…

A detailed analysis of the communication network between nerve and muscle cells in turtles has shed new light on how movement is controlled and maintained. These findings on how motor nerve cells communicate may help scientists better understand the underlying mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or spinal injury.

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…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progression is associated with higher levels of specific lipids in the spinal cord and changes in their metabolism, a study in a rat model of the disease reports. These findings may represent a defense mechanism against oxidative damage, as well as a potential treatment route for…

Voyager Therapeutics’ experimental therapy VY-SOD102 shows promise for treating patients with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) caused by mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene, according to results in animal models. The preclinical data were presented at the Congress of the European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy…

Transplanting human spinal cord-derived neural stem cells (HSSC) into the spine of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was found to improve their survival and function, according to clinical trial investigators. Results from the Phase 1/2 trials were compared to historical populations (controls), and the results were reported in the…