http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/ 12/17/2009 Get the latest research news from the ALS Division of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) en-us http://quest.mda.org/news/als-research-restoring-disrupted-connections 12/17/2009 A chemical called microRNA 206 appears to help re-establish nerve-muscle connections after injury in ALS research mice. http://quest.mda.org/news/two-als-drugs-show-early-promise 12/10/2009 The experimental drugs KNS760704 and SB509 both pass safety tests and seem to improve function for ALS patients. http://quest.mda.org/news/international-als-conference 12/09/2009 Daily Web reports are available from a multinational ALS symposium held in Berlin Dec. 8-10, 2009. http://quest.mda.org/news/als-research-poison-dirt 12/09/2009 Toxic desert dust may be why military personnel serving in the 1990-1991 Gulf War experienced abnormally high rates of ALS, new findings suggest. http://quest.mda.org/news/als-drug-trial-restarted 12/09/2009 After a two-year review, the FDA approves reopening a clinical trial of the experimental compound arimoclomol. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/nov09/stop-smoking.html 11/19/2009 A new review of the medical literature confirms that smoking significantly raises the risk of developing ALS. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/nov09/als-lithium.html 11/9/2009 An Italian ALS lithium trial is ended after an interim analysis revealed no benefit and possible toxicity. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/nov09/goldsmith.html 11/4/2009 World Series pays tribute to late ALS activist Michael Goldsmith, who urged baseball to fight 'Lou Gehrig's disease.' http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/Oct09/ALSThinkTank.html 10/28/2009 Nine leaders in the field of ALS research put their heads together on Oct. 24, 2009 http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/Oct09/ALS-APC.html 10/27/2009 A compound (APC) used to treat blood infections in humans seems to improve ALS symptoms in mice. http://www.mda.org/news/091022tradition-of-hope.html 10/22/2009 Celebrities and business leaders rallied to raise $740,000 in the fight against ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) as they united to support Augie's Quest, an initiative with the Muscular Dystrophy Association to combat the disease, at the fourth annual Tradition of Hope Gala in Beverly Hills on Saturday, Oct. 17. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/Oct09/ALS-ISIS.html 10/16/2009 The first trial to block SOD1 protein in ALS using "antisense" will open by the end of 2009. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/Oct09/als-tdi-webcast.html 10/16/2009 An ALS compound that's ready for biotech development is described in this Oct. 5, 2009, Webcast. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/Oct09/ALS-AAN.html 10/12/2009 New guidelines for physicians caring for ALS patients have released by the American Academy of Neurology. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/091013pt-guidelines.html 10/12/2009 New guidelines for the most effective treatments for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) will be released by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) tomorrow. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/Oct09/ALS-TDP43.html 10/12/2009 A new type of ALS research mouse, with a mutation in the TDP43 gene, has been developed. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/Oct09/ALSRegistryFAQ.html 10/8/2009 Questions and answers about ALS and the upcoming National ALS Registry have been posted online. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/Oct09/athena-dna-tests.html 10/7/2009 Athena Diagnostics can now analyze five genes for mutations that cause familial ALS. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/sept09/enhancing.html 9/25/2009 Eliminating a protein enhanced cellular cleanup, saved nerve cells and prolonged survival in female ALS mice. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/sept09/als-lithium.html 9/24/2009 Although the National Institutes of Health cut short its lithium trial, MDA's will continue for now. http://www.mda.org/news/090923clubcorp.html 9/23/2009 ClubCorp, the preeminent owner and operator of private golf, country, business and sports clubs, will host it's Third Annual ClubCorp Charity Classic, at clubs from California to New York in the world's largest one-day, multi-site charity golf and dining event, Friday, Sept. 25. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/090923als-neuralstem.html 9/23/2009 The first FDA-approved human stem cell trial to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease, will be conducted at the Muscular Dystrophy Association ALS Center at Emory University in Atlanta. http://www.mda.org/news/090918mda-TOA-success.html 9/18/2009 An impressive collection of unique and one-of-a-kind specialty items sparked bidder interest, bringing in almost $350,000 through the Telethon Online Auction to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/sept09/als-risk.html 9/18/2009 A multinational team found three DNA variations that may increase the risk of developing ALS. http://www.mda.org/news/090918va_benefits.html 9/18/2009 Last September the Secretary of Veterans Affairs designated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) a service-connected disability for all Veterans with 90 days or more of continuous active service in the military. As a result, the VA can now pay disability compensation to Veterans with ALS and survivors of Veterans with ALS who have passed away. http://www.mda.org/news/090911mda-telethon-44-TOA.html 9/14/2009 A number of popular celebrity-themed and unique experience specialty items have garnered top bids in the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Telethon Online Auction. http://www.mda.org/H1N1/ 9/10/2009 It's no secret that more than one kind of flu virus will be spreading through our communities in the coming months, including seasonal influenza and the 2009 H1N1 flu. http://www.mda.org/news/090907mda-telethon-44-tote.html 9/7/2009 Despite the effects of an uncertain economy, contributions and pledges to the 44th annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon over Labor Day nonetheless totaled $60,481,231 million. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/sept09/smiling.html 9/4/2009 Chester Kahapea, once the jubilant face of Hawaii’s statehood, now adjusts to life with ALS. http://www.mda.org/news/090901mda-walgreens-flu.html 9/1/2009 Continuing a service it has provided for decades, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is again offering seasonal flu shots to people who have muscular dystrophy and related diseases. http://www.mda.org/news/090827mda-telethon-44.html 8/27/2009 Fire up the barbies, and the flat screen TVs and join comedy legend Jerry Lewis for his 44th annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon this Labor Day weekend, Sept. 6-7. http://www.mda.org/news/090818bettys-battle-als.html 8/18/2009 Nancy O'Dell, longtime co-host of the entertainment newsmagazine "Access Hollywood" and author of the book Full of Life, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) have founded Betty's Battle in honor of O'Dell's mother who died of ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, last year. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/aug09/outbursts.html 08/14/2009 World Federation of Neurology teams up with Twitter to untangle unconventional ALS treatments. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/aug09/untangling.html 08/14/2009 World Federation of Neurology teams up with Twitter to untangle unconventional ALS treatments. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/aug09/aac.html 08/07/2009 Pocket-sized AAC: New software tool makes the iPhone talk http://www.mda.org/news/090806mda-telethon-site.html 08/06/2009 For the first time ever, the Muscular Dystrophy Association will revamp the homepage on its official Web site to be all-Telethon, all the time as the Official Web Site of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon during the month leading up to Labor Day weekend. http://www.mda.org/news/090805mda-telethon.html 08/05/2009 The South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas will again host the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/jul09/iplex.html 07/28/2009 Insmed halts development of its drug Iplex for MMD and ALS, at least for now. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/jul09/pipeline.html 07/28/2009 The jury is still out on vitamin C for treating CMT1A symptoms http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/jul09/augie.html 07/22/2009 'Surfer bums' enter brutal cross-country cycling race to raise funds for ALS research. http://www.mda.org/news/090721mda-national-leadership.html 07/21/2009 Three prominent figures in the field of neuromuscular disease research have been re-elected to national leadership positions with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/jul09/restored.html 07/17/2009 MDA advocates help convince legislators to ease restrictions in proposed bill. http://www.mda.org/research/090710MDA-grants.html 07/13/2009 At a time when federal and private funds for biomedical research have become scarce, the Muscular Dystrophy Association reasserts its leadership in the fight against muscle diseases by announcing grants to innovative research projects throughout America and in Canada. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/jul09/pon.html 07/10/2009 An analysis shows no single PON gene variant increases ALS risk, but doesn't rule out ALS-PON connections. http://www.mda.org/news/090706mda-twitter.html 07/06/2009 The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) will now post its research, services, advocacy and Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon news on Twitter, the popular social media tool, through its account, @MDAnews. http://www.mda.org/news/090702mlb-4-als.html 07/02/2009 This Independence Day, on the 70th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's farewell speech to baseball, Major League Baseball will conduct activities throughout the country to honor Gehrig's memory and raise funds to support research into the disease that now bears his name, Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS. http://www.augiesquest.org/TeamSurfingUSA/ 07/01/2009 Team Surfing USA's bid at a new Race Across America cycling record ended abruptly when team member Jason Winn was hit by a car during the race. http://www.mda.org/news/090629medicare-benefit-jeopardy.html 6/29/2009 Please help us protect people with neuromuscular diseases from the potentially harmful impact of the recently released House Tri-Committee healthcare reform proposal. The package eliminates the first month purchase option for all power wheelchairs. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/jun09/pond_scum.html 6/19/2009 Air travelers using respiratory equipment must follow new labeling regulations -- or risk losing their seats. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/may09/leaky_barriers.html 5/28/2009 Researchers add support to evidence that the blood-spinal cord barrier is abnormally leaky in ALS. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/may09/kinesin.html 5/21/2009 A new study shows a small change in the KIFAP3 gene lengthens ALS survival time. http://www.mda.org/publications/Quest/extra/may09/signs.html 5/14/2009 The 61st annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), held in Seattle April 25-May 2, included several ALS-related presentations. http://www.mda.org/news/090514more_mda_supported_acts.html 5/14/2009 MDA is supporting legislation that expands rights, resources and research infrastructure for members of our MDA community. http://www.mda.org/news/090430national-als-ambassador-odell.html 4/30/2009 Nancy O'Dell, longtime host of the entertainment-news show "Access Hollywood" and author of the book "Full of Life," has accepted a new role as MDA National ALS Ambassador, the Muscular Dystrophy Association announced today. http://www.mda.org/news/090421als-month.html 4/21/2009 For the 18th year, the Muscular Dystrophy Association will host activities across the country throughout the month of May to raise awareness of the devastating disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. http://www.mda.org/news/090401mvp.html 4/01/2009 The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) today announced the launch of a new initiative, MDA Venture Philanthropy (MVP), which will be a wholly owned subsidiary of MDA. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/090310als-iplex-trial.html 03/10/2009 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that it would work closely with the biopharmaceutical company Insmed of Richmond, Va., to develop a clinical trial of Iplex, an experimental medication developed by the company, in patients with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/090227als-fus-gene.html 02/27/2009 Two independent research teams, one based in the United States and Canada and the other in the United Kingdom and Australia, have identified mutations in a gene called FUS on chromosome 16 as a cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). http://www.mda.org/news/090224AQ_18million.html 2/24/2009 The Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Augie’s Quest initiative has reached an important goal in funding research efforts that target a devastating disease. http://www.mda.org/news/090210sean_scott_als-tdi.html 2/10/2009 Sean Scott, president of the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) in Cambridge, Mass., died of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease) on Feb. 9 http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/090203lou-gehrig-anniv.html 02/03/2009 Major League Baseball will raise awareness and financial support for organizations leading the fight against ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), otherwise known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease" with a new charitable campaign, "4 ♦ ALS Awareness," Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced today. http://www.als-mda.org/research/news/090120als-new-therapeutic-delivery.html 01/20/2009 ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) and Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. announced today their collaboration aimed at developing a panel of viral vectors that could be used to deliver therapeutics based on targets identified by ALS TDI that slow or stop amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease). 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).