genetic factors

Genetic factors influencing ALS survival identified in Japanese study

Researchers have identified new genetic variants that might influence survival among sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in Japan. Genetic analyses in more than 1,000 ALS patients uncovered that small changes in the FGF1, THSD7A, and LRP1 genes could affect patients’ prognosis. In patient-derived nerve cells, the identified variants led…

Blood Tests of Neurofilament Levels as Early ALS, FTD Biomarker Sought

A two-year project aims to identify reliable blood tests for measuring neurofilament protein levels, which could aid in the early detection of frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and possibly other rare neurodegenerative disorders. Neurofilament, a protein component of neurons, is released when these nerve cells are…