Computers Predict ALS
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A technique rarely used to analyze animal behavior may be the next step in fighting the most common motor neuron disease.

Psychologists are using their original data-mining software to detect signs of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive and fatal disease that attacks the nervous system, before onset of the disease. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

In a recent study, the researchers demonstrated this technique in the laboratory. After videotaping the movement of two groups of rats, one with ALS-type genetic mutations and one without, the researchers used a computer to “pan” for differences between the movements of the two groups.

They identified a unique motor pattern in the ALS rats two months before disease onset: Rats with the ALS-type mutation were significantly less likely than the normal rats to brake and turn from the arena wall as they approached. Two months in rats translates roughly into five to 10 years in humans.

Experts say this kind of analysis could allow investigators to test therapies aimed at preventing, slowing or stopping diseases like ALS. “Such therapies could very well be effective against the non-genetic version of the disease as well,” lead author Neri Kafkafi, Ph.D., of the University of Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, was quoted as saying.

SOURCE: Behavioral Neuroscience, 2008;122:777-787

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