Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Study data from University of Helsinki update knowledge of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis


May 13th, 2008







(NewsRx.com) -- According to recent research from Helsinki, Finland, "We measured serum levels of neurotrophic cytokines ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and leukaemia inhibiting factor (LIF) in 96 patients either with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS, n = 18) or sporadic ALS (SALS, n = 78) and in 27 inflammatory neurological controls (13 multiple sclerosis and 14 Guillain-Barre syndrome) and in 27 healthy controls."
"Serum level of CNTF was significantly higher in ALS patients than in inflammatory neurological controls or healthy controls, and significantly higher in patients with ALS onset from upper or lower extremities than in patients with a purely bulbar onset of the disease. Serum CNTF levels did not significantly differ between patients with FALS and SALS, and it did not correlate with the age of onset or duration of the disease," wrote H. Laaksovirta and colleagues, University of Helsinki.

The researchers concluded: "No detectable serum levels of LIF were observed in the patient groups or in the healthy controls."

Laaksovirta and colleagues published their study in European Journal of Neurology (Serum level of CNTF is elevated in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and correlates with site of disease onset. European Journal of Neurology, 2008;15(4):355-359).

For additional information, contact H. Laaksovirta, University of Helsinki, Cent. Hospital, Dept. of Neurology, Helsinki, Finland.

Publisher contact information for the European Journal of Neurology is: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DQ, Oxon, England.

Keywords: Finland, Helsinki, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Creatine, Cytokines, Dietary Supplement, Enzyme Research, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Kinase, Micronutrient, Motor Neuron Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuroimmunology, Neurology, Urology, University of Helsinki.

This article was prepared by NewsRx editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, NewsRx.com.

http://www.newsrx.com/articles/969420.html