In all forms of ALS, the first clear sign of disease in tissues is a pulling away of motor neurons from muscle. And because motor neurons require chemical feedback from muscles to remain healthy, the withdrawal prompts further decline. Steven Burden (NY Univ.) has been clarifying the nerve-muscle “conversation,” showing that a modest increase in a protein called MuSK can keep synapses and motor neurons stable. Having shown that in non-ALS test mice—and in the hope that MuSK will lead to a way to protect synapses—his team has moved to studies with ALS models.
Partners In Collaboration Our yearly award ceremony and outpouring of appreciation came with special gratitude for 10 years of unfailing help.
New ALS Human Cell Cultures Underway A handful of this country's stem-cell pioneers are meeting to change the face of research with the first large-scale cultures of human cells with ALS.
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