http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/ 12/22/2008 Get the latest research news from the ALS Division of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) en-us http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/081222als-diaphragm-pacing.html 12/22/2008 Raymond Onders, director of Minimally Invasive Surgery at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, presented data at the 19th International Symposium on ALS on 88 patients who were involved in trials of an implanted diaphragm pacing system. http://www.als-mda.org/news/081215american-idol-tune.htm 12/15/2008 Proceeds from the online sale of a new song by American Idol season seven contestant Michael Johns can benefit MDA's ALS Division. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/081210mda-finding-harvard-top10.html 12/10/2008 A stem-cell research advance published in July 2008 that resulted in part from MDA support is among the top 10 health stories of the year compiled by the editors of the Harvard Health Letter. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/081209als-vegf-b.html 12/9/2008 A protein called VEGF-B (vascular endothelial growth factor B) protects nerve cells that control muscle action and prolongs the lives of rats with a genetic disease resembling human ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease), an MDA-supported research team has found. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/081202cells_injected.html 12/2/2008 Transplantation of immature nervous-system support cells slowed the loss of motor neurons (nerve cells controlling muscle activity) in rats engineered to have a disease resembling human ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease), says a team of researchers from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore and Invitrogen Corp. in Carlsbad, Calif. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/081202tissue_damaged.html 12/2/2008 Damage to muscle fibers may play an earlier and larger role in ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease) than previously believed, according to a multinational team of researchers coordinated by MDA grantee Antonio Musaro at the University of Rome (Italy). http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/081112iplex_als.html 11/12/2008 The biopharmaceutical companies Insmed, Genentech and Ipsen/Tercica jointly announced this week that Insmed's drug Iplex may become available to people with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) worldwide. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/081111myotrophin_trial_als.html 11/11/2008 A nationwide team of investigators representing 21 U.S. centers announced Nov. 5 at the 19th International Symposium on ALS/MND in Birmingham, UK, that Myotrophin, injected subcutaneously (under the skin), does not slow the progression of weakness, prolong survival or slow functional deterioration for people with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease). http://www.mda.org/news/081021oakley_augies_quest_mda.html 10/21/2008 Oakley has teamed up with the Muscular Dystrophy Association to offer two special edition HIJINX sunglasses to support MDA’s aggressive, cure-driven ALS research initiative, Augie’s Quest. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/081014bone_marrow_stem_cells_als.html 10/14/2008 Six men with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) who received intravenous infusions (transplantations) of donated bone-marrow stem cells failed to derive any apparent benefit from the cells, although the study showed that such cells can enter the central nervous system from the bloodstream. http://www.mda.org/news/081010flu.html 10/10/2008 Continuing a service it has provided for decades, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) again is offering flu shots to people who have any of the more than 40 diseases it covers. To assist individuals in obtaining vaccinations this flu season, the Association teamed up with Walgreens to offer shots at thousands of Walgreens locations across the country through a voucher program. http://www.mda.org/research/081009clinical_network.html 10/09/2008 The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has launched a unique Clinical Research Network to speed and support research into two forms of muscle-wasting disease. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/081007Enzyme_flaws.html 10/07/2008 The search for genetic variations that predispose a person to developing ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) a paralyzing and ultimately fatal neurologic disease, has been complex and frustrating, although a few intriguing examples stand out as worthy of further investigation. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/081002supercharged.html 10/02/2008 Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and institutions in the United Kingdom and Switzerland have shown that stem cells derived from human bone marrow and then engineered to produce a neuroprotective substance can significantly slow the course of a disease resembling human ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in rats. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080923als_registry.html 09/23/2008 Today, the ALS community celebrated the Senate's passage of S. 1382, the ALS Registry Act, with very positive ramifications for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease). The House of Representatives passed similar legislation in 2007. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080923als_disibility_benefits.html 09/23/2008 As reported on this site in July, the Veterans Administration was planning to broaden its compensation for all ALS-affected vets. That information was issued by both Sen. Lindsey Graham and Rep. Henry Brown. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080922als_t_cells.html 09/22/2008 T cells, the foot soldiers of the immune system, are involved in protecting motor neurons (nerve cells that activate muscle) in ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease), a paralyzing neurologic disease, says a group of scientists led by MDA grantee Stanley Appel at Methodist Neurological Institute (MNI) in Houston. http://www.mda.org/news/080901telethon-tote-2008.html 09/01/2008 Despite an uncertain economy and Hurricane Gustav pounding the Gulf Coast, contributions and pledges to the 43rd annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon totaled a recordbreaking $65,031,393 ($1.2 million more than last year.) http://www.mda.org/news/080821telethon_toa.html 08/21/2008 New this year, the Muscular Dystrophy Association will launch its first-ever national online auction at www.mda.org/auctions in conjunction with the 43rd Annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. The auction, beginning today, features an impressive array of unique specialty items, with all proceeds benefiting the Association. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080821als_tdi_tissue_collection.html 08/21/2008 Blood and tissue samples will be collected from people with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) who are cared for at three of MDA's specialized ALS Centers as part of a collaborative effort between MDA and the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) of Cambridge, Mass. The Institute announced the collaboration Aug. 19. http://www.mda.org/news/080820telethon_5ws.html 08/20/2008 The network show airs from 9 p.m. EDT Sunday, Aug. 31, to 6:30 p.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 1. Broadcast times vary in some areas. Check local listings for start times. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080731als_skin_cells_mn.html 07/31/2008 MDA-supported scientists at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., and Columbia University in New York have created muscle-controlling nerve cells known as motor neurons from the skin cells of a patient with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease). http://www.als-mda.org/news/080729bally-pcdolls-als-benefit.htm 07/29/2008 Pop music group the Pussycat Dolls last week taped an ad for Bally Total Fitness promoting a fundraising event benefitting MDA's ALS Division, and Nancy O'Dell covered the event for Access Hollywood. http://www.mda.org/news/080725nieto-nahj-award.html 07/25/2008 Fitness pioneer Augie Nieto will receive the National Association of Hispanic Journalists 2008 President's Award July 25. http://www.mda.org/news/080722medicare-power-wheelchairs.html 07/22/2008 Recent passage of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (H.R. 6331) holds particularly good news for people with disabilities who use complex power wheelchairs and accessories. http://www.als-mda.org/news/080716als_va_benefits.htm 07/16/2008 UPDATE - August 1, 2008 - The VA posting of the new policy that was expected today has yet to be released. As soon as the official announcement is made, it will be posted on this site. On July 14, the Secretary of the Department of Veteran's Affairs announced his decision to broaden VA compensation for all ALS-affected vets. 07/10/2008 http://www.mda.org/news/080710medicare-competitive-bidding.html On July 9, the Senate handily passed the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act. (The Act already had been passed by a large majority in the House.) In addition to quashing a proposed reimbursement cut for doctors who treat Medicare patients, the Act delays implementation of the controversial national competitive bidding program, designed by CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to go into effect this summer. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080708als_gulf_war.html 07/08/2008 U.S. veterans of the first Gulf War don't have a permanently increased chance of developing ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease), according to a new study supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense and published online June 6 in Neuroepidemiology. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080627als_10_lithium_trials.html 06/27/2008 An MDA-supported trial of lithium carbonate in ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease) is now open at 10 medical centers across the United States. http://www.als-mda.org/news/080611stanley_cup_AQ.html 06/11/2008 The Stanley Cup, the treasured trophy awarded each year to the National Hockey League champions, made a special visit to Augie and Lynne Nieto's home today. http://www.mda.org/news/080609nancy_odell.html 06/09/2008 The mother of popular television host Nancy O'Dell, Betty Humphries, passed away over the weekend from complications of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). She was 74. http://www.mda.org/news/080522gina.html 05/22/2008 A new law signed yesterday by President Bush is good news for Americans who have refused to take genetic tests because they feared the results might be used against them by their employer or insurance company. http://www.mda.org/news/080509nancy_odell.html 05/09/2008 Popular newsmagazine show host Nancy O'Dell has joined MDA's efforts to find treatments and a cure for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease). http://www.mda.org/news/080507als_month_chats.html 05/07/2008 As part of ALS Awareness Month, MDA will host three special Internet chats with guest experts in topics relating to the disease. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080507als_lithium_trial.html 05/07/2008 An MDA-supported clinical trial of lithium carbonate, a medication commonly used to treat bipolar disorder, is set to begin in people with ALS following reports that the drug may dramatically slow the progress of this devastating, paralyzing disease. http://www.mda.org/research/080428aan_meeting_report.html 04/28/2008 The 60th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) was held in Chicago April 12-19. Valerie Cwik, MDA medical director and vice president-research, attended the meeting. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080423coenzyme.html 04/23/2008 Principal investigator Petra Kaufmann at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, with colleagues at 19 U.S. centers, have found that high-dose coenzyme Q10 (coQ10) is not promising enough to warrant further study as a treatment for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease). http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080408blood-spinal_cord_als.html 04/08/2008 A research team that included MDA grantees M. Kerry O'Banion at the University of Rochester (N.Y.) Medical Center and Severine Boillee at the University of California-San Diego has found that leaks in the blood vessels of the spinal cord precede damage to the nervous system in ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease) in mice with a genetic form of this paralyzing disorder. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080306nerve_cells.html 03/06/2008 Researchers in the laboratory of Don Cleveland at the University of California-San Diego have further extended the suspected role of astrocytes, a type of nervous-system “support” cell, in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080229als_tdp-43.html 02/29/2008 Nigel Cairns at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, with colleagues there and at several other U.S. institutions, announced online Feb. 20 in Annals of Neurology that a mutation in the gene for the TDP-43 protein is the cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a family of European descent with four affected members. 02/26/2008 http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080226als_axon_guidance.html Investigators at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and the University of Miami have applied a new approach to studying genetic variants that may play a role in ALS and say genes involved in "axon guidance" are significantly different in people with ALS. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080219nerve_muscle_signals_ALS.html 02/19/2008 Researchers in the laboratory of MDA-supported Lin Mei at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta have found that muscle fibers do more than passively receive signals from nerve fibers that tell them to contract or relax. 02/04/2008 http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080204Lithium_slows_ALS.html Daily doses of lithium, a drug used to treat bipolar disorder, have been found to delay progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in an Italian study of 44 people with the disease. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080125new_ALS_lead.html 01/25/2008 Investigators at the University of Iowa led by molecular biologist John Engelhardt say they’ve uncovered an unexpected protein-protein interaction that appears to open a new avenue in the study of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Their results were published online yesterday in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080125ALS_mice.html 01/25/2008 Failure to recognize differences in the genetic makeup of mice used to test drugs for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may have biased studies conducted in rodents in a way that made ineffective drugs look beneficial, investigators say. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080125arimoclomol_trial.html 01/25/2008 Further clinical testing of the drug arimoclomol, an experimental compound developed by CytRx Corp. of Los Angeles to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has been placed on hold by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/080122appel_mcgovern_award.html 01/22/2008 Neurologist Stanley H. Appel, chairman of MDA's Medical Advisory Committee, director of the MDA/ALS Center at the Methodist Neurological Institute in Houston, and a long-time MDA research grantee, will receive the prestigious John P. McGovern Compleat Physician Award for 2008 on Jan. 25.