The formation of synapses – the junctions through which neurotransmitters relay chemical signals allowing neurons to communicate information – typically requires contact between presynaptic and postsy ◊

Talampanel, a drug currently not approved in Canada or the United States, is undergoing an international Phase 3 trial involving 500 patients with ALS in centres across Europe, Canada and the US. In a ◊

The recent discovery of a number of genes known to cause motor neuron diseases such as ALS has provided new insights into the mechanisms underlying motor neuron degeneration, according to a recent art ◊

Clinical trials in ALS often use patient survival as an outcome measure to examine whether a treatment prolongs life. But variables affecting survival rates – such as emergency tracheostomy – are dif ◊

At the 20th Internal Symposium on ALS/MND, researchers presented the results of a Phase 2 clinical trial testing the safety and tolerability of a drug called KNS-760704 for use by ALS patients. KNS-7 ◊

University of Texas researchers identified a molecule that reduces symptoms and prolongs life in mice with a type of ALS, according to a study in the Dec. 11, 2009, issue of Science. Lead author Eric ◊

Abnormal folding of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) – a protein known to gain harmful properties from heritable gene mutations in familial ALS – does not appear to cause cases of familial ALS without SO ◊

Mutations in the TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) gene cause motor neuron defects in zebrafish and lead to impaired swimming, researchers from Université de Montreal report. Interestingly, insufficie ◊

Defects in RNA binding might represent a disease mechanism common to all cases of ALS, a leading Canadian researcher reports. ◊

Formaldehyde exposure is associated with an increased risk for ALS, according to a longitudinal study conducted by Mark Weisskopf, PhD, ScD, and colleagues from the Harvard School of Public Health, ◊

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – a disease once thought to only rob patients of their ability to move – is now recognized as having cognitive and behavioural effects in one out of two patients. This o ◊

Patients with familial ALS (FALS) caused by mutations in the SOD1 gene are less likely to exhibit cognitive changes than those without SOD1 mutations, according to a report published in The Journal of ◊

A variation in the chromogranin gene may confer susceptibility to ALS and accelerate disease onset, researchers from Laval University report. ◊

A new technology has revealed that inflammatory cells in the olfactory bulb of the brain may act as sensors and modulators of inflammation following brain injury, scientists report. ◊

Abnormalities in Fused in Sarcoma (FUS), a protein implicated in ALS, might also be to blame for a subgroup of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) cases, scientists report. ◊

Mice expressing a gene mutation known to cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration exhibit behavioral and pathological features resembling the human diseases, researche ◊

Exercising involves motor neuron activation, which is accompanied by such consequences as oxidative stress, free radical production and glutamate stimulation. These exercise-induced effects are strict ◊

New guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology identify the most effective treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) ◊

The Bernice Ramsay Clinical Research Fellowship supports specialized training in clinical care and research skills related to ALS. This fellowship is funded by the ALS Society of Canada and has a dura ◊

Two separate teams of ALS researchers have revealed that mutations of the fused in sarcoma/translated in liposarcoma (FUS/TLS) gene are implicated in the development of inherited or familial ALS (FALS ◊

In Canada, there is a lack of information about the extent and impact of neurological conditions (brain and nervous system diseases, disorders, conditions and injuries). This makes it difficult to pla ◊

The ALS Society of Canada is pleased to announce the 9th Neuromuscular Research Partnership call for proposals. This Partnership is a collaboration between the ALS Society of Canada, Muscular Dystrop ◊

A number of therapies have shown promise in pre-clinical models of motor neuron disease. Many of these treatment approaches, however, failed in human studies. American researchers Veena Lanka and Meri ◊

French researchers Philippe Corcia and Vincent Meininger, published a study in Drugs 2008:68(8):1037 earlier this year entitled Management of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Even though ALS remains fat ◊

Toronto, August 28, 2008: The ALS Society of Canada is supporting two parallel and extremely important missions to help people with ALS. The first is supporting the funding of a national clinical tri ◊

Montreal, March 31, 2008 – A team of Canadian and French researchers has identified a novel gene responsible for a significant fraction of ALS (sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) cases. ◊

Hundreds of ALS researchers and clinicians came to Toronto to attend the 18th International Symposium on ALS/MND, December 13, 2007, at the Westin Harbour Castle. The annual symposium was organized by ◊

Tanguay was recently awarded a one-year, $40,000 grant for his project “Over expression of small mitochondrial chaperones in a mouse model of ALS”. The award is jointly funded by the ALS Society of C ◊

A list of NRP funding recipients and projects for 2007. ◊

TORONTO, November 22, 2007: Hundreds of scientists and clinicians are on their way to Toronto, Canada for this year’s international research meeting on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neurone dise ◊

In an effort to leverage funds and increase the ALS profile among young researchers, the Tim E. No?l Fellowship in ALS Research was created in 2006 using money from the Tim No?l Endowment Fund. Sher ◊

[Quick Summary: The protein discovered to be a potential common link in ALS and frontotemporal dementia is thought to interact with the genetic message instructing how to assemble components within mo ◊

Sunday June 10 - 13, 2007 Best Western Lamplighter Inn London, Ontario Canada ◊

For more then two decades, Dr. Guy Rouleau and his lab at the University of Montreal have put a continuous effort into the identification of genes causing ALS. ◊

The Institute of Genetics, the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis and the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction and CIHR in partnership with the ALS Society of Canada ◊

Dr. Denise Figlewicz, PhD, will lead the development and implementation of a national research strategy, represent ALS Canada among scientific communities and act as advisor to government and industry ◊

(Philadelphia, PA) -- Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered the major disease protein for two neurodegenerative disorders: a type of frontotemporal dementia ◊

Denise Figlewicz, PhD, joined the ALS Society of Canada on September 5, 2006 as Director of Research. The position of Director of Research is a newly created position for ALS Canada. ◊

The first-ever Tim E. Noël Fellowships in ALS Research have been awarded to Edor Kabashi, Joe V. Chakkalakal and François Gros-Louis. “The awards are a wonderful example of leveraging of funds an ◊

The ALS Society of Canada’s Research Forum, with the theme of “Inspiration,” took place March 24 - 26 at the Bank of Montreal Institute for Learning in Toronto. The forum addressed the issues of re ◊

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University recently reported preliminary evidence that cells derived from embryonic stem cells can restore movement in an animal model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (AL ◊

The International Symposium on ALS/MND is a unique annual event which brings together leading international researchers and Health and Social Care Professionals to present and debate key innovations i ◊

For more then two decades, Dr. Guy Rouleau and his lab at the University of Montreal have put a continuous effort into the identification of genes causing ALS. The success of this research is largely ◊

Exactly how ALS — Lou Gehrig’s disease — damages motor neurons is one of medical science’s lingering mysteries. At least six mishaps within cells appear to contribute to the death of the nerves that e ◊

In the December 20th online issue of Nature Neuroscience, ALS Canada board member and researcher Dr. Jean-Pierre Julien and his colleagues report that mutant SOD1 molecules - those that bring about a ◊

A short description... ◊

Investigators at the ALS Center at Emory University are investigating the possibility of designing a clinical trial for persons at risk for familial (inherited) ALS. Since this is a rare disease, th ◊

In an upcoming issue of Nature Neuroscience, ALS Canada board member and researcher Dr. Jean-Pierre Julien and his colleagues report that mutant SOD1 molecules - those that bring about a familial form ◊

ALS Canada’s board of directors approved the creation of a post-doctoral fellowship in ALS research valued at $75,000 annually and renewable for up to three years at its November meeting. The interest ◊

University of Western Ontario alumni Donald Rix donated $2 million to the university's medical school. The funds will go toward the clinical skills learning building named after him at the UWO Schuli ◊

Prince County Tim Hortons outlets and the host committee of the International Softball Federation 2005 Junior Men's World Softball Championship have teamed up to raise money to promote awareness and ◊

Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction In partnership with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Society of Canada (ALS Canada) ◊

The first international research workshop to address frontotemporal dementia in ALS will be held from May 15 - 17, 2005 at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn in London, Ontario. More than 80 90 researc ◊

There comes a chilling moment, staring as we are at a microscopic cross section of a human spinal cord, when Janice Robertson steps away from her telescope and offers a layperson an up-close image of ◊

Dr. Michael Strong, a neurologist and researcher at Western, the Robarts Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, is being honoured by the American Academy of Neurology for his outstan ◊

VANCOUVER - As of today, Vancouver's G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Hospital will be home to Canada's largest clinic for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis -- Lou Gehrig's disease -- and it wi ◊

[QUICK SUMMARY: In the first report showing that human embryonic stem cells can be made to form motor neurons in the lab, investigators find a precise sequence of molecular signals that guide cells in ◊

[QUICK SUMMARY: The risk for ALS in men is increased by 50 percent by military service according to one study; another study fails to find that physical activity increases ALS incidence in the general ◊

A consortium of researchers has found that Ceftriaxone, a drug that alters glutamate, has been found to prolong survival in animal models of ALS. ◊

The ALS Society of Canada, Muscular Dystrophy Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research are pleased to announce the Neuromuscular Research Partnership Competition for a sixth year. ◊

Many in the ALS community are looking for more information about the stem cell treatments being provided in China . At this time, there is not sufficient information about Dr. Huang Hangyun’s work in ◊

Toronto, October 12, 2004: The ALS Society is hosting its first research forum October 15 & 16, 2004 at the Bank of Montreal Institute for Learning, 3550 Pharmacy Ave. in Scarborough. The purpos ◊

The Chris Hobler/James Maritz Foundation has committed $1 million (US funds) to partner with Washington University to establish the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders. The center is expected to ac ◊

A Canadian medical student has been honoured with the prestigious G. Milton Shy Award for his medical essay about people living with ALS. ◊

This information is forwarded from the CIHR. The ALS Society is a potential partner in this project and we encourage all ALS researchers to take a close look at this RFA. ◊

The ALS Therapy Development Foundation has announced testing of an HIV/AIDS medication called Nelfinavir. Nelfinavir is one of eight different compounds in line for testing in the ALS/TDF labs in Bos ◊

Scientists have discovered the precise location of the fourth known gene for familial ALS. ◊

The Provincial ALS Societies contribute to the ALS Research Fund, mainly through the WALK TO D'FEET ALS. ◊

The results of the first clinical trial on three people from Quebec affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy raise the possibility of a treatment for this debilitating ◊

Ottawa (le 18 février 2004) Les résultats des premiers essais cliniques, effectués sur trois patients de la région de Québec atteints de la dystrophie musculaire de Duchenne, ouvrent la voie à un pr ◊

The following article comes from the ALSA website. We thank them for allowing us to share it with you. The International Symposium on ALS/MND draws researchers and clinicians together from around the ◊

The ALS Society of Canada is pleased to announce the expansion of its research program and first collaboration with its partner organization the ALS Association (ALSA) in the US. The two groups will ◊

Please forward to anyone you believe would be interested. The ALS Society of Canada, Muscular Dystrophy Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research are pleased to announce the ◊

Reprinted with permission from ALSA. [QUICK SUMMARY: New cultured cell study indicates HDAC inhibitors prevent protein aggregation. Protein aggregates are associated with several neurodegenerative ◊

The following lengthy summary is provided by the MNA Association. Summaries of the ASK THE EXPERT session and the ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS session along with audio coverage of sessions by Canadian ◊

Three independent groups of researchers have identified families with linkage to chromosome 16, providing strong evidence that another gene associated with familial ALS is close to being identified. ◊

Nearly $4million of neuromuscular research funded has been approved for 2003-2004. The partnership between The ALS Society of Canada and Muscular Dystrophy Canada with the support of the Canadian ◊

ALS researcher Dr. Jean-Pierre Julien has been awarded a Canada Research Chair. Dr. Julien, who recently moved his lab from Montreal to the University of Laval in Quebec City, will receive $1.4 ◊

Study identifies the cells responsible for regenerating damaged muscle – and the switch that triggers the repair process OTTAWA, ON (June 26, 2003) – A research team from the Ottawa Health Research I ◊

POTENTIAL TREATMENT DEVELOPED FOR MYOTONIC MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY Quebec researchers are first in the world to develop a technique to treat the disease (OTTAWA, May 13, 2003) – A team of researchers ◊

Ingenium Pharmaceuticals AG and a coalition of international research organizations announced in the journal Science of Research a fundamental discovery about the genetic and molecular basis for Motor ◊

With permission of the ALS Association we are 'reprint' the following statement on this area of investigation. Susan Graham Walker The ALS Association is actively investigating thrombopoietin (rhTPO) ◊

Montreal, April 1 2003 – A new three-drug cocktail used to treat mice with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, may increase life span and decrease disease progression according to a study conducted at ◊

Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company The New York Times March 25, 2003, Tuesday, Late Edition - Final SECTION: Section F; Page 6; Column 1; Health & Fitness LENGTH: 312 words HEADLINE: ◊

Clinical Bulletin from The ALS Association National Office Last week, Canadian media released a story about a woman with ALS who has been treated for the last 18 months with an AIDS cocktail. ◊

A research team headed by Dr. Donna Wilson at the University of Alberta is conducting a large scale study to identify best practice delivery models or approaches to providing end-of-life care. ◊

The ALS Society of Canada, the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada (MDAC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) are pleased to announce the ◊

A scientist new to The Packard Center for ALS Research has shown that key reactions in mitochondria, the small bodies within cells that supply energy to cells, are disrupted just before cells begin t ◊

A commonly-used drug for arthritis may be of benefit to ALS patients, if first-stage animal studies are any sign. In an article in this month's Annals of Neurology, scientists with Johns Hopkins and ◊

The following statement from the American ALS Association has the support of the chair of the ALS Society of Canada Health Professional Advisory Committee. It is shared widely for your information. ◊

LONDON, ON/TORONTO, ON (Oct. 24, 2002) – A new study by one of Canada’s leading ALS researchers will be the first of its kind to look at the impact of this devastating neurological disease on memory a ◊

INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN ALS RESEARCH Funding of a genetic register of ALS patients throughout the world with mutations in Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1-the first gene to be discovered link ◊

The Neuromuscular Research Partnership Program (NRPP) is a result of an agreement between the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Society of Canada (ALS Canada), the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada ◊

Stem Cells We Know They Can Divide, But Can They Conquer ALS? By Laurie LaRusso, MS, ELS Note: The ALS Society of Canada shares this article with permission from the ALS Therapy Development ◊

The 2002 Neuromuscular Research Partnership (NRP) competition has been announced following the signing of the memorandum of understanding among the ALS Society of Canada, the Muscular Dystrophy ◊

American researcher Dr. Clay Armstrong, recipient of Canada’s prestigious Gairdner Award for 2001has donated the $30,000 prize to the ALS Society of Canada for research. Dr Armstrong, of the ◊

According to a news release on December 10, 2001 from the Department ofVeterans Affairs, researchers conducting a large epidemiological study supported by both the Department of Veterans Affairs and ◊

The following summary was written by Lucie Bruijn, Science Director and Vice President of ALSA. We thank ALSA for permission to reprint it here. 12th International Symposium on ALS/MND November ◊

12th International Symposium on ALS/MND - November 18-20, 2001 Oakland California Highlights and Summary of Clinical Sessions The following summary was written by Mary Lyon, Vice President of ◊

ALS attacks the nerve cells that control the voluntary muscles throughout the body. When these muscles fail to receive messages, they eventually lose strength, atrophy and die. Dr. Gregory Ross’ ALS ◊