“Toxic desert dust” may be why military personnel serving in the 1990-1991 Gulf War experienced abnormally high rates of ALS, new findings suggest.
posted on December 9, 2009 - 12:46pm
New findings suggest a possible link between dust-dwelling bacterial toxins and an elevated incidence of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in Gulf War veterans.
The study blames cyanobacteria, microorganisms that live in desert sands and which can be inhaled when they’re kicked up in dust, such as when a convoy of military vehicles rumbles by. Cyanobacteria are common throughout the world in...
British researchers report injections of SMN genes significantly increased life span in mice with a disease resembling spinal muscular atrophy
posted on April 15, 2010 - 4:14pm
A research group from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom has found that mice with a disease mimicking human spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) benefited significantly from intravenous transfer of the gene for the SMN (survival of motor neurons) protein. The mice lived significantly longer than untreated mice of the same type.
"This Month in Muscular Dystrophy" is the subject of a new audio series from Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio
posted on May 24, 2010 - 3:53pm
Scientists at the Neuromuscular Disorders Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, are producing a series of podcasts examining current research in neuromuscular disease.
The series, “This Month in Muscular Dystrophy,” is an opportunity to hear authors of recent publications discuss how their work improves understanding of these diseases, and what it might mean for treatment.
A new study seeks to investigate the possible relationship between religion/spirituality and disability acceptance
posted on November 10, 2010 - 5:01pm
With approximately 54 million Americans living with disabilities, exploring and understanding factors that might facilitate or hinder acceptance of one’s disability may be an important area of research.
But what exactly is the relationship between religious/spiritual attitudes and acceptance or lack of acceptance of disability for people with neuromuscular disorders?
Repligen soon will begin a first-ever human trial of a drug created specifically for spinal muscular atrophy; FDA grants fast track designation
posted on May 20, 2011 - 11:13am
In a historic first, biotech company Repligen Corp., of Waltham, Mass., has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin a phase 1 clinical trial of the experimental drug RG3039 for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
A collaboration between PTC Therapeutics and Swiss biotech Roche may speed development of experimental treatments for spinal muscular atrophy
posted on December 1, 2011 - 6:00am
Swiss biotechnology company Roche, and PTC Therapeutics in South Plainfield, N.J., on Nov. 29, 2011, announced a collaboration through which the two companies will work together to advance drug development for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
MDA has awarded 38 grants totaling more than $12 million to support research into general muscle health and more than 15 neuromuscular diseases in its program
posted on February 1, 2012 - 10:00am
The Muscular Dystrophy Association has awarded 38 new grants totaling more than $12 million to fund research projects focused on its continuing mission to uncover the causes of, and develop therapies for, the more than 40 neuromuscular diseases in its program.
MDA's Board of Directors reviewed and approved the new grants based on recommendations from the Association's Scientific and Medical...
Top researchers are discussing notable developments in neuroscience, including research in many neuromuscular diseases, at the annual American Academy of Neurology meeting April 21-28
posted on April 24, 2012 - 4:00am
Top scientists and clinicians from around the world are discussing the latest research in neuroscience, and the care of individuals with nerve and muscle diseases, at the 2012 annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in New Orleans, April 21-28.
In a phase 1 trial in healthy volunteers, Repligen's experimental therapy for spinal muscular atrophy was safe and well-tolerated
posted on April 25, 2012 - 4:00am
RG3039, an experimental therapy designed to treat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), was safe and well-tolerated in a phase 1 clinical trial. In addition, data suggests the drug reached and worked on its biological target, an enzyme called DcpS.
Mutations in the DYNC1H1 gene cause a rare form of spinal muscular atrophy; plastin 3 contributes to movement problems in SMN-related SMA
posted on May 15, 2012 - 12:29pm
Below are highlights of two recent studies in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a disease in which the nerve cells (motor neurons) that control muscles in the spinal cord die, causing progressive weakness in the voluntary muscles.
