Putting Pieces Together: ALS Research Grants

Three new MDA grants totaling $891,156 have been awarded to research projects aimed at uncovering some of the many complex processes that underlie ALS.

“Scientists are digging ever deeper into the underlying mechanisms at work in ALS,” said Sanjay Bidichandani, MDA’s vice president of research. “MDA is pleased to support research efforts aimed at getting to the bottom of this devastating disease, in the hopes that they’ll spark ideas for the development of new treatments.”

The grants took effect Aug. 1, 2012.

MDA Launches Clinical Neuromuscular Disease Registry

In 2003, the average life expectancy for a person with the genetic lung disease cystic fibrosis was 33 years. But at some cystic fibrosis medical centers, life expectancy was more than 47 years. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation wanted to know why. Using its national patient registry, the foundation identified which medical centers achieved optimum outcomes, identified the clinical practices that led to those outcomes and then disseminated that information to its national clinical network — improving care for everyone with cystic fibrosis.

ALS-FTD Research Briefs: P62 Gene’s Role and Screening Tool for ALS-FTD

The most visible symptom in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is progressive weakness and loss of muscle control due to the loss of nerve cells called motor neurons. But approximately half of all people with ALS also exhibit some symptoms of cognitive impairment and associated behavioral symptoms (frontotemporal dementia, or FTD) at some stage of their disease.

New Phase 2b Trial of Tirasemtiv (CK-2017357) in ALS

South San Francisco biotechnology company Cytokinetics announced Sept. 10, 2012, that it plans to conduct a new phase 2b clinical trial of its oral drug tirasemtiv (formerly CK-2017357) in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The trial is set to launch later this year.

ALS Risk Elevated in Some Retired NFL Players

New data shows that — while overall risk of death among National Football League (NFL) players is less than that of men in the general U.S. population — the risk of death related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is four times higher.

ALS and SMA: Less EPHA4 Means More Motor Neurons Survive

Decreased activity of the EPHA4 receptor, which is encoded by the EPHA4 gene, increases life span in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a team of scientists has reported.

The receptor, which was found to modify disease in zebrafish, mice, rats and humans, works together with a gene recently associated with ALS — profilin 1 (PFN1).  

Chemical 'Signature' May Be Used to Track ALS

A "pro-inflammatory" chemical signature displayed by monocytes (a type of white blood cell) appears to signal the presence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) even before symptoms begin, a team of scientists has reported. If verified, the blood biomarker may make it possible for physicians to monitor disease progression using a simple blood test.

MDA Commits $10.7 Million to Neuromuscular Disease Research

The Muscular Dystrophy Association has awarded 33 new grants totaling $10,684,481 to fund research projects focused on uncovering the causes of, and developing therapies for, neuromuscular disease.

MDA's Board of Directors reviewed and approved the new grants based on recommendations from the Association's Scientific and Medical Advisory Committees, and the grants took effect Aug. 1.

ALS: New MDA Grants Focus on Multisystem Aspects of the Disease

Three new MDA grants totaling $891,156 have been awarded to research projects aimed at uncovering some of the many complex processes that underlie ALS.

MDA Funds Efficacy Trial of Diaphragm Pacing System in ALS

The Muscular Dystrophy Association has committed $750,000 to help support a phase 2 clinical trial assessing the ability of the NeuRx Diaphragm Pacing System (DPS) to improve respiratory function and quality of life in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

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