New ALS discovery sheds light on possible avenue for treatment

A newly discovered intracellular process in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can be the starting point for developing new treatments for the disease, according to new research.

The research, which was led by Prof. Eran Perlson from the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Tel Aviv University, was published in the EMBO Journal on June 30.

Researchers discovered that CRMP4 proteins associated with ALS cause motor neuron loss by acting as a "death signal." This suggests that blocking this process, either by genetic or pharmacological means, may reduce symptoms of ALS.

As part of the research, a biological chip was developed in order to study how ALS destroys the motor neurons and the musculoskeletal system. The researchers then used the system to grow and sort stem cells into nerve cells. They were able to use these cells to study the process of nerve cell death in ALS.

"Our discovery provides new encouragement for developing ALS treatments," Perlson said. "It may open new channels for research on the long-term communication between the various nerve regions that are critical for better understanding of the pathological processes of ALS.

ALS is a neuro-degenerative disease that causes the brain to lose control over the body's muscles. Over the course of two to five years, patients lose their ability to move, speak, eat – and ultimately, to breathe. The disease is devastating and affects approximately 450,000 people worldwide. 

Over the past few years, experts have made significant developments in ALS research, but at the moment the exact cause is unknown, and there is no effective treatment. 

This research presents significant developments in the understanding necessary in order to find a treatment or a cure, but the researchers said that the prospect of a concrete treatment is still years away.

There is still much progress to be made, but every new insight in the field provides hope and a step forward.

The research was conducted by Dr. Roy Maimon and Lior Ancol from Prof. Perlson's lab together with Tal Gardus Pery, Topaz Altman, and Ariel Ionescu. Other participants included Prof. Martin Balastik of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prof. Sami Baramada of the University of Michigan, Dr. Amir Dori of Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, and Prof. Yarden Opatowsky of Bar-Ilan University.