USC Stem Cell-led studies point the way to broadly effective treatments for ALS

Posted on by lytal
Human induced motor neurons. Motor neurons are green, and neurons are purple. (Image courtesy of the Ichida Lab)
Human induced motor neurons. Motor neurons are green, and neurons are purple. (Image courtesy of the Ichida Lab)

Each year in the U.S., 5,000 patients receive a diagnosis of ALS, an incurable neurodegenerative disease that will likely kill them within two to five years. In the quest to find a cure for these patients, a team of researchers led by USC Stem Cell scientist Justin Ichida has identified two promising avenues for developing new treatments for diverse forms of this devastating disease, which is also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Their findings are published in a pair of studies: the first appearing in the journal Cell Stem Cell on February 2, and the second in the journal Cell on February 7.

To read more, visit https://stemcell.keck.usc.edu/broadly-effective-treatments-for-als.