ALS

Disease

Disease Profile

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative motor neuron disease characterized by loss of upper and lower motor neurons, leading to worsening weakness, speech/swallowing impairment, and respiratory failure. It is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Category
Neurodegenerative disease (motor neuron disease)
Prevalence
In the U.S., projected ALS prevalence for 2026 is 34,720 living adult cases.
ICD Codes
  • G12.2

Related News

New Brain Models, Sensors, and Imaging Tools Speed Drug Development

New 3D brain tissue models, laser imaging, and organoid sensors aim to speed drug development for Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases. The LMU model replicates Alzheimer’s aggregates, MIT’s laser images the blood-brain barrier at record speed, and UNC’s sensor records neural activity without damaging organoids.

Prothena to Report Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results on August 6

Prothena Corporation plc will report its second quarter and first six months of 2026 financial results on August 6, 2026, after U.S. market close. No conference call will be held, consistent with past practice. The company focuses on neurodegenerative and rare amyloid diseases.

Brain Organoid Advances: Live-Cell Monitoring and Space-Accelerated Aging

Researchers have developed an integrated live-cell imaging and cytometry workflow to monitor brain organoid differentiation. Separately, experiments on the International Space Station show that microgravity accelerates organoid aging by roughly a decade in 30 days, offering a faster model for neurodegenerative diseases. These advances could enhance drug discovery and neurodevelopmental research.

Actor Eric Dane Dies of ALS at 53; NFL Star Chris Johnson Also Diagnosed

Actor Eric Dane died of ALS at age 53 in February 2026, less than a year after announcing his diagnosis. Former NFL star Chris Johnson also revealed his ALS diagnosis at age 39. The cases highlight the neurodegenerative disease, which affects about 33,000 people in the U.S. and has no cure.

Experimental ALS Therapies QRL-201 and Neflamapimod Advance in Clinical Trials

Two experimental ALS therapies showed promise in recent clinical developments. Interim Phase 1/2 data suggest the antisense oligonucleotide QRL-201 restores a critical nerve protein and may slow disease decline, with a Phase 3 trial planned for 2027. Meanwhile, the oral therapy neflamapimod has been selected for testing in the UK's EXPERTS-ALS platform study, with first results expected this spring.

Related Clinical Trials

NCT ID Title Status Phase
NCT07739134

Multimodal Tracking of Therapy Activity and Effort During Rehabilitation

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
NCT07688239

The BANYAN Trial, an ALS MyMatch Trial Evaluating Safety, Biomarker Activity, and Microglial Activation of Nasal Foralumab

NOT_YET_RECRUITING PHASE2
NCT07543367

INdependence Through Endovascular Neuroprosthetic Technology (INTENT): an Early Feasibility Study

RECRUITING NA
NCT07460037

Chinese-Specific Speech Imagery Coding Using High-Density ECoG

RECRUITING NA
NCT07446114

Functional Outcomes and Control Using Synchron BCI - Canada

RECRUITING NA
NCT07400393

Healey ALS MyMatch Common Screening Protocol

NOT_YET_RECRUITING
NCT07396818

Kamlanoflast In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

NOT_YET_RECRUITING PHASE1/PHASE2
NCT07341334

Digital Speech Markers for Monitoring ALS in Spanish Speakers

NOT_YET_RECRUITING
NCT07193953

Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) and Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING PHASE1
NCT07007390

Systems Biology of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

NOT_YET_RECRUITING