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Understanding the Noxious cause of Lou Gehrig's disease
September 14, 2007There is no known cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often known as Lou Gehrig disease and motor neuron disease. ALS is a progressive, fatal, neurodegenerative disease caused by the degeneration of nerves that control voluntary muscle movement. New evidence generated in mice by John Engelhardt and colleagues at Iowa University, Iowa City, has provided insight into the mechanisms responsible for certain forms of the disease and has identified potential targets for the development of drugs to treat individuals with these forms of ALS.
In some individuals, ALS is caused by a mutation in their SOD1 gene. Mice overexpressing this mutant gene (SOD1G93A mice) develop ALS-like disease. In this study, the authors found that the rate of disease progression could be dramatically slowed and survival markedly improved if SOD1G93A mice lacked expression of either Nox1 or Nox2, although the effects were more dramatic in the absence of Nox2. The Nox1 and Nox2 genes are on the X-chromosome and female mice lacking just one copy of either gene showed delayed disease onset, indicating that even a 50% decrease in expression of these proteins provided some protection. These data have led to the suggestion that developing drugs to inhibit the Nox pathway might be of benefit to individuals with ALS.
Journal of Clinical Investigation
ALS News and Current ALS Events RSSResearchers probe geographical ties to ALS cases among 1991 Gulf War veterans
Researchers from Duke University, the University of Cincinnati (UC) and the Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center are hoping to find a geographical pattern to help explain why 1991 Gulf War veterans contracted the fatal neurological disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at twice the normal rate during the decade after the conflict.
Umbilical cord blood cell transplants may help ALS patients
A study at the University of South Florida has shown that transplants of mononuclear human umbilical cord blood (MNChUCB) cells may help patients suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
Lou Gehrig's protein found throughout brain, suggesting effects beyond motor neurons
Two years ago researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered that misfolded proteins called TDP-43 accumulated in the motor areas of the brains of patients with amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease.
UC San Diego Physicists Reveal Secrets of Newest Form of Carbon
Using one of the world's most powerful sources of man-made radiation, physicists from UC San Diego, Columbia University and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have uncovered new secrets about the properties of graphene-a form of pure carbon that may one day replace the silicon in computers, televisions, mobile phones and other common electronic devices.
Researchers block the transmission of malaria in animal tests
By disrupting the potassium channel of the malaria parasite, a team of researchers has been able to prevent the malaria parasites from forming in mosquitoes and has thereby broken the cycle of infection during recent animal tests.
Genetics of ALS progression
An upcoming paper from Drs. Hidenori Ichijo and Hideki Nishitoh (The University of Tokyo) and colleagues lends new and valuable insight into the genetics of ALS.
Researchers uncover mechanism of action of antibiotic able to reduce neuronal cell death in brain
Virginia Commonwealth University researchers have discovered how an antibiotic works to modulate the activity of a neurotransmitter that regulates brain functions, which eventually could lead to therapies to treat Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, stroke, dementia and malignant gliomas.
Penn researchers find potential in yeast for selecting Lou Gehrig's disease drugs
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine are developing a novel approach to screen for drugs to combat neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, using yeast cells.
Leaky blood vessels open up nerve cells to toxic assault in Lou Gehrig's disease
Leaky blood vessels that lose their ability to protect the spinal cord from toxins may play a role in the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, according to research published in the April issue of Nature Neuroscience.
More genes for Lou Gehrig's disease identified, according to Penn researchers
In recent months a spate of mutations have been found in a disease protein called TDP-43 that is implicated in two neurodegenerative disorders: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig's disease, and certain types of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). These mutations could potentially become candidates for drug targets.
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