The Northern Neuron
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The Northern Neuron

ALS Researchers across Canada 

In the third edition of the Northern Neuron we highlight the promising new directions in neuromuscular research conducted by Canada’s leading scientists. We also profile many of the new researchers to the ALS community; PhD students who are working closely with experienced clinicians and researchers.

This publication is the property of the ALS Society of Canada and no part may be reproduced without its prior permission. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the ALS Society of Canada.

Feel free to pass it along or request more copies to distribute to friends and family members. The publication is available in a hard copy print out, please contact the ALS Society of Canada if you require a hard copy.


ALS Research News - The latest ALS als research articles.
1.  Abnormal SOD1 folding is unique to familial ALS, researchers say

Mutations in the gene encoding superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) cause up to 20 per cent of inherited ALS cases (familial ALS). They’ve even been observed in a small fraction of sporadic cases. It has bee ◊

"Abnormal SOD1 folding is unique to familial ALS, researchers say"
2.  Swimming-based exercise preserves motor neuron function

Whether exercise predisposes to or protects against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a topic of ongoing debate. ◊

"Swimming-based exercise preserves motor neuron function"
3.  Synapse formation can be triggered artificially

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

"Synapse formation can be triggered artificially"
4.  Phase 3 talampanel trial begins

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 ◊

"Phase 3 talampanel trial begins"
5.  Genetic contributors to motor neuron diseases

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 ◊

"Genetic contributors to motor neuron diseases"
6.  Defining survival as an outcome measure for clinical trials in ALS

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 ◊

"Defining survival as an outcome measure for clinical trials in ALS"
7.  Encouraging trial results for KNS-760704

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 ◊

"Encouraging trial results for KNS-760704 "
8.  Molecule discovered that might help ALS Patients

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 ◊

"Molecule discovered that might help ALS Patients"
9.  Misfolded SOD1 not a feature of sporadic ALS

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 ◊

"Misfolded SOD1 not a feature of sporadic ALS"
10.  TDP-43 mutations cause motor deficits in zebrafish

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 ◊

"TDP-43 mutations cause motor deficits in zebrafish"
11.  Evidence for ALS as a disorder of RNA metabolism

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

"Evidence for ALS as a disorder of RNA metabolism"
12.  Formaldehyde exposure linked to ALS risk

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, ◊

"Formaldehyde exposure linked to ALS risk"
13.  Cognitive and behavioural dysfunction in ALS

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 ◊

"Cognitive and behavioural dysfunction in ALS"
14.  ALS patients with SOD1 mutations are less likely to have cognitive deficits

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 ◊

"ALS patients with SOD1 mutations are less likely to have cognitive deficits"
15.  Gene variant implicates faulty cellular secretion in ALS

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

"Gene variant implicates faulty cellular secretion in ALS"
16.  Live imaging of the inflammatory response to ischemic brain injury

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. ◊

"Live imaging of the inflammatory response to ischemic brain injury "