Korea University researchers identify ALS treatment candidate

A research team from Korea University has identified Tribenzylamine (TBA) as a potential therapeutic candidate for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The study, led by professors Myung-ji Kim, Hae-cheol Park, and Yong-bo Seo, utilized a zebrafish model to replicate the disease's symptoms.

By overexpressing the human FUS R521C mutation in zebrafish, the researchers successfully reproduced key ALS characteristics, including reduced movement and increased oxidative stress. After screening approximately 300 bioactive substances, the team found that TBA improved motor function in the mutant zebrafish by more than 30%, bringing it close to levels seen in healthy control groups. Additionally, TBA significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels associated with nerve cell damage.

The research also suggests that sex hormone signaling may play a role in TBA's effectiveness. The administration of TBA increased levels of estrogen and progesterone, which had been depleted in the mutant models. Further studies are required to fully clarify the exact biological mechanisms and to validate these effects across various other animal models of ALS.