New gene mutations linked to ALS and nerve cell growth dysfunctionResearchers have linked newly discovered gene mutations to some cases of the progressive fatal neurological disease amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis – ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Shedding light on how ALS destroys the cells and leads to paralysis,
the researchers found that mutations in this gene affect the structure and growth of nerve cells.
New model of ALS is based on human cells from autopsied tissueBy isolating cells from patients' spinal tissue within a few days after death, researchers funded by the National Institute
of Neurological Disorders and Stroke have developed a new model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou
Gehrig's disease. They found that during the disease, cells called astrocytes become toxic to nerve cells – a result previously
found in mouse models of familial ALS. The new study shows that astrocytes derived from people with sporadic ALS are also
toxic to neurons.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Fact Sheet
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) fact sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).