New Insight Into ALS
Researchers at º£½Ç½ûÇø have discovered a new cellular mechanism that may better explain what causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that involves the death of motor neurons, leading to the muscle weakness and atrophy.
The º£½Ç½ûÇø team, led by Haining Zhu, Ph.D., assistant professor of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, reported on how mutations in a gene that makes a protein called superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) slow down the transport of molecules and vesicles inside neurons. The result of the slower transport may be the death of the relevant neurons.