Dr. Kuldip Dave, vice president of research at The ALS Association, recently discussed the science of Tregs on Connecting ALS. A transcript of that discussion has been edited and shortened below.
Once she was diagnosed with ALS, the determination she showed throughout her life immediately took hold. Her attitude was “let us fight”, and her motto instantly became, “So What, Now What!”
The ALS Association, Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and ALS Finding a Cure® (ALSFAC), provided an additional $1.1 million in supplementary funding to leading investigators at the Houston Methodist Neurological Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital for promising research into cell therapy that could slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
People living with ALS will likely experience complications related to the disease that warrant a visit to the hospital at some point in their journey. At the same time, they are not immune from other injuries or medical issues—people with ALS can still get sick or possibly hurt themselves in ways unrelated to the disease. Making the conscious choice to be prepared can make all the difference.
In a study funded in part by The ALS Association’s TREAT ALS program, researchers from Northwestern University have identified the first compound (NU-9) that eliminates the ongoing degeneration of diseased upper motor neurons, a key contributor to ALS. While this news is exciting, this study has only tested the compound in mice and in laboratory neurons and is in the very early stages.
The ALS Association Florida Chapter recaps fiscal year 2020-21 by discussing accomplishments made that drive forward our vision and some fundraising/event downfalls due to COVID-19.
While local conditions for events vary state by state, the priority is the safety and well-being of people with ALS, their families and caregivers, and our volunteers and staff. So while Walk to Defeat ALS® events may look a little different from place to place, the ALS community will creatively come together safely in local markets to honor a loved one with the disease, to remember those who have passed, and to raise awareness and critical fundraising support for the fight against ALS.
On the one year anniversary of COVID-19 shutting down the world, Executive Director John Hedstrom of The ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter pens a letter to update the local community on the Chapter's ambitious goals and an exciting new event.
While good nutrition is important for everyone, maintaining proper nutrition and hydration is especially critical for people living with ALS. Sustaining a healthy weight and balanced diet is proven to help improve and maintain quality of life for people struggling with the disease.