Stop the Pop

Apoptosis is an important function in multicellular organisms such as people. It keeps cancer at bay and helps keep organs healthy and fresh. But when it occurs in cells that aren't replaced (like motor neurons) nasty things (like ALS) happen. A couple of clinical trials are currently ongoing to support the mitochondria to delay apoptosis (Knopp with dexpramipexole and Trophos with olesoxime). Recently, a study was published which took a rather more aggressive approach. The approach probably isn't appropriate as a therapeutic because it isn't cell-specific. For a good explanation, please read Amber Dance's article over on the ALZ Forum. Ms. Dance is one of my favorite science writers and actually has some credentials to back up her analysis.

Stem Cell Update

Today (10/12/2010), Geron began a Phase-I clinical trial using embryonic stem cells to treat spinal cord injury. While not directly applicable to ALS, a successful safety trial should open up approvals for similar subsequent trials utilizing human embryonic stem cells. Already there is favorable preliminary information coming from the Neuralstem trial (which uses fetal neural precursors, not embryonic stem cells) and several more are in the approval pipeline. Meanwhile, in Israel, Brainstorm received approval to begin its trial for ALS. As discussed previously, Brainstorm engineers autologous cells to secrete neural growth factors and then implants them in muscle to promote axonal growth and nourish the cell body via axonal uptake. It's a novel approach which doesn't require risky surgery. These are just a few very interesting things going on in research and clinical trials. But keep in mind that they are happening now.

National ALS Registry

The United States National ALS Registry opened this month. There is an introductory page on the ALSA website, and a recorded webinar outlining the Registry can be replayed by clicking here. I believe it is the duty of each PALS to register so that finally accurate numbers can be known of the toll of ALS in the US. The oft-quoted "30,000" is a very rough estimate and in all likelihood much too few. This is an important tool too long missing from researchers' kits. I registered yesterday. How about you?