Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Report summarizes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis study findings from University of Gottingen, Department of Neurology

June 30th, 2007


(NewsRx.com) -- A report, "Glia cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: new clues to understanding an old disease," is newly published data in Muscle & Nerve. "In classic neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the pathogenic concept of a cell-autonomous disease of motor neurons has been challenged increasingly in recent years. Macro-and microglial cells have come to the forefront for their role in multistep degenerative processes in ALS and respective disease models," scientists in Germany report.
"The activation of astroglial and microglial cells occurs early in the pathogenesis of the disease and seems to greatly influence disease onset and promotion. The role of oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells remains elusive. In this review we highlight the impact of nonneuronal cells in ALS pathology. We discuss diverse glial membrane proteins that are necessary to control neuronal activity and neuronal cell survival, and summarize the contribution of these proteins to motor neuron death in ALS. We also describe recently discovered glial mechanisms that promote motor neuron degeneration using state-of-the-art genetic mouse technology," wrote C. Neusch and colleagues, University of Gottingen, Department of Neurology.

The researchers concluded: "Finally, we provide an outlook on the extent to which these new pathomechanistic insights may offer novel therapeutic approaches."

Neusch and colleagues published their study in Muscle & Nerve (Glia cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: new clues to understanding an old disease? Muscle & Nerve, 2007;35(6):712-24).

For additional information, contact C. Neusch, University of Gottingen, Dept. of Neurology, Robert-Koch-Str 40, 37075 Gottingen, Germany.

The publisher's contact information for the journal Muscle & Nerve is: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA.

Keywords: Germany, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Motor Neuron Disease.

This article was prepared by NewsRx editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, NewsRx.com.
http://www.newsrx.com/articles/609427.html