Novel discovery in motor neuron disease may pave the way for future treatments

Researchers from the University of Sheffield (UK) have discovered a potential approach to reduce the death of nerve cells, therefore preventing the progression of many neurological diseases. The results from the study, recently published in Nature Neuroscience, present a novel way to treat the most common type of motor neuron disease (MND), Amylorophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is caused by a mutation in the C9ORF72 gene and accounts for 40-50% of inherited MND cases and 10% of all MND cases. There are currently no treatments available for patients suffering from ALS leading to a life expectancy of 3–5 years. In...