Muscle wasting is a loss of muscle mass due to the muscles weakening and shrinking. There are several possible causes of muscle wasting, including certain medical conditions, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The symptoms of muscle wasting depend on the severity of muscle mass loss, but typical signs and symptoms include: reduced muscle strength an […]
Muscular Dystrophy / ALS
What to know about muscle atrophy
The term muscle atrophy refers to the loss of muscle tissue. Atrophied muscles appear smaller than normal. Lack of physical activity due to an injury or illness, poor nutrition, genetics, and certain medical conditions can all contribute to muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy can occur after long periods of inactivity. If a muscle does not get […]
Pollutants may speed up ALS progression
New research, appearing in the BMJ Journal of Neurology, suggests that various pollutants may not only raise the risk of people developing ALS but also make the disease advance faster. Pesticides may increase the risk of developing ALS, new research confirms. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative condition […]
ALS: New technique prevents toxic protein deposits in cells
The vast majority of people who develop the rare neurological disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have one feature in common: toxic buildup of faulty TDP-43 protein in the affected nerve cells. One recent study tackled the toxic protein deposits that characterize 97 percent of ALS cases. Postmortem evidence suggests that 97 percent of people with amyotrophic […]
ALS: A new therapy may be in sight
New research makes a discovery that “suggests a clear approach for developing a potential therapy for ALS.” New experiments may provide ‘great hope’ for people living with ALS. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative condition that affects a person’s motor neurons. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), people with […]
How can gold help repair muscle injuries?
Researchers have revealed that nanoparticles of gold, attached to natural anti-inflammatory agents, work well on inflammation and can also promote muscle regeneration. Scientists now believe that we can use gold to help treat muscle injuries. Muscle injuries can take a while to recover from. This is because inflammation that occurs soon after an injury can […]
ALS: Immune cells may slow disease progression
A new study brings hope for people with ALS. Immunotherapy may dramatically slow down the progression of the disease, it shows. In the future, people with ALS could receive an injection of immune cells to slow down the progression of the disease. The neurodegenerative condition amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) affects nerve cells, which control the […]
ALS: Most physically active have ’26 percent higher risk’
A new study reveals evidence of a link between physical activity and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which supports the idea that a history of vigorous exercise may raise the risk of developing the rare neurological disorder. Too much exercise may raise the risk of ALS, particularly in those who are genetically predisposed. The research, conducted by […]
ALS: How ‘toxic’ proteins could protect neurons
Researchers have now investigated the mechanisms of a protein called SOD1 that is known to play a role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and they uncovered some surprising findings. Researchers suggest that proteins thought to destroy neurons in people with ALS may actually have the opposite effect. The scientists found that while small aggregates of SOD1 […]
Diesel exhaust may raise risk of neurological disease
The risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis may be increased for people who are frequently exposed to diesel exhaust, new research suggests. Researchers found that men exposed to diesel exhaust in their jobs were more likely to develop ALS. In a study of more than 1,600 adults, scientists working at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of […]