Study Identifies Gene Tied to Motor Neuron Loss in ALS

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have identified a gene that appears to play a major role in motor-neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The findings from a mouse study explain why most, but not all, motor neurons are affected by the disease. In order to understand why only some motor neurons are vulnerable to ALS, researchers used DNA microarray profiling to compare the activity of tens of thousands of genes in neurons that resist ALS, such as eye movement, to those affected by ALS, such as leg movement. One of the genes, MMP-9, was strongly expressed into adulthood, which is significant because ALS is an adult-onset disease. Furthermore, researchers confirmed that the MMP-9 protein is present in ALS-vulnerable motor neurons, but not in those that are ALS-resistant. The findings suggest the potential for identifying new therapeutic targets to help treat ALS. To read more about this study, click here.