ALS research identifies new mechanisms in motor neuron degeneration

Recent scientific studies have uncovered new mechanisms contributing to the progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons responsible for voluntary movement.

In Italy, a collaborative study involving Neuromed, Sapienza University of Rome, and the Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia utilized human stem cells to examine the FUS P525L mutation. Researchers found that these neurons show a reduced response to inhibitory neurotransmitters, particularly glycine. This failure to respond to inhibitory signals prevents the neurons from being protected against toxicity caused by hyperexcitation.

Separately, researchers at the Salk Institute conducted preclinical studies on mice, identifying that microglia—the immune cells of the central nervous system—can identify and destroy motor neurons that are still functional. This process contributes to the worsening of the disease in advanced stages. Understanding these mechanisms may assist in developing new therapeutic strategies for ALS, as well as for cancer and autoimmune diseases.