stem cells

Scientists have developed a new method that allows them to grow mature nerve cells from stem cells — a technique that could be applied to study diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). “For the first time, we have been able to see adult-onset neurological protein aggregation in the stem…

Stem cells engineered to mature into nerve-supporting cells that produce GDNF — a key factor for motor neuron survival — were safely delivered into the spinal cord of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to data from a Phase 1/2a clinical trial. These cells, dubbed CNS10-NPC-GDNF, were…

Repeat injections of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into the spinal canal were safe and well tolerated in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and showed potential to significantly slow the rate of disease progression, a small Phase 2 clinical trial found. “Larger studies are warranted to confirm our observations…

Injecting a specific type of stem cells into the bloodstream was able to reduce muscle shrinkage and promote motor neuron survival in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study found. According to investigators, the findings indicate these stem cells, known as multi-lineage differentiating stress enduring (Muse)…

Stem cells collected from a patient’s bone marrow and infused into the spinal fluid safely improved speaking abilities after 28 days for most of the 12 adults with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) evaluated in a small study. Its researchers recommend further…

NurOwn, a cell-based therapy that protects and helps repair nerve cells, also may be able to curb the damaging brain inflammation that contributes to the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), recent findings suggest. Researchers believe this newly-found potential may extend the…

Seneca Biopharma announced that work is underway to advance NSI-566, its leading stem cell treatment candidate, into a Phase 3 study in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The decision followed a meeting with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and is supported by data collected from…

A new spinal cell delivery method may reduce the risks and boost the effectiveness of stem cell therapy designed to regenerate the nervous system in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an early study in rats has found. The study, “Spinal parenchymal occupation by…

A new muscle science and disease research center has opened at the University of Washington (UW) to investigate better treatment options for disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Center for Translational Muscle Research will work in collaboration with the university’s labs and other Seattle-area institutions…

A new method called Axon-seq allows researchers to analyze the content of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in the motor neuron’s axons, the tips of the nerve cells that communicate with muscle cells, a new study reports. Using Axon-seq, researchers identified 121 mRNAs that are deregulated in ALS motor neurons, highlighting the new…