Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) stands as a significant neurodegenerative disease within a clinical and pathophysiological continuum with other motor neuron diseases and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). ALS leads to progressive upper and lower motor neuron degeneration, resulting in muscle weakness, paralysis, and ultimately, death within 2 to 5 years after the initial diagnosis. Despite its classification as a rare disease, the socioeconomic burden of ALS is substantial, further compounded by a rising incidence primarily attributed to the aging global population. The urgent need for accelerated research is evident, as enhancing our understanding of ALS holds the promise of unraveling broader insights into neurodegenerative processes. Accelerated research not only offers the potential for improved diagnosis tools and therapeutic intervention but also serves as a vital step toward alleviating the immense emotional, financial, and societal strains imposed by ALS and its related disorders.
The past decade has witnessed remarkable advances and numerous groundbreaking discoveries across preclinical models, pathophysiological mechanisms, genetics, biomarkers, and clinical practices. These achievements have spurred the initiation of various innovative research endeavors that have enriched fundamental understanding and facilitated the development of pivotal biomarkers and emerging therapeutic targets encompassing diverse mechanisms of action. Moreover, the field has recently embraced a more holistic perspective on ALS, incorporating aspects such as the immune system, energy metabolism, and the brain-gut axis, thereby providing a more comprehensive framework. This research topic aims to explore and bring together the latest advancements and novel approaches in preclinical and clinical research on motor neuron diseases and FTD. We expect that this research topic will have a constructive influence on the field of motor neuron diseases. By uniting experts, clinicians, and researchers, it will foster dialogues surrounding novel and inventive strategies to invigorate research efforts. The potential for advancing enhanced treatments for ALS and its related disorders in the immediate future is substantial.
Submitted contributions may cover various aspects related to innovative approaches in ALS and related disorders research, including, but not limited to:
- Novel pharmacological approaches, cell-based therapies, and RNA-based therapies
- Drug repurposing, combination therapies, precision medicine and personalized treatments
- Recent progress in biomarkers discovery for early detection and disease monitoring
- New pathological mechanisms and pathways and emerging insights from genetics
- Recent advances in understanding the pre-symptomatic phase of ALS and related disorders
- Creation of innovative disease-specific models for drug screening and disease modeling
- The importance of a multidisciplinary care approach and recent guidelines in clinical trial design
- New state-of-the-art technologies applicable to ALS and related disorders
- New research initiatives from other fields in biology, bioinformatics, physics, etc.
Manuscripts presenting innovative and thought-provoking theories and concepts will also be open for consideration. We welcome original research articles, reviews, methods, opinion pieces, and perspectives that contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of ALS and related disorders. We encourage authors to provide compelling evidence, thoughtful analysis, and critical insights that have the potential to shape and redefine the current understanding of this complex and devastating disease.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) stands as a significant neurodegenerative disease within a clinical and pathophysiological continuum with other motor neuron diseases and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). ALS leads to progressive upper and lower motor neuron degeneration, resulting in muscle weakness, paralysis, and ultimately, death within 2 to 5 years after the initial diagnosis. Despite its classification as a rare disease, the socioeconomic burden of ALS is substantial, further compounded by a rising incidence primarily attributed to the aging global population. The urgent need for accelerated research is evident, as enhancing our understanding of ALS holds the promise of unraveling broader insights into neurodegenerative processes. Accelerated research not only offers the potential for improved diagnosis tools and therapeutic intervention but also serves as a vital step toward alleviating the immense emotional, financial, and societal strains imposed by ALS and its related disorders.
The past decade has witnessed remarkable advances and numerous groundbreaking discoveries across preclinical models, pathophysiological mechanisms, genetics, biomarkers, and clinical practices. These achievements have spurred the initiation of various innovative research endeavors that have enriched fundamental understanding and facilitated the development of pivotal biomarkers and emerging therapeutic targets encompassing diverse mechanisms of action. Moreover, the field has recently embraced a more holistic perspective on ALS, incorporating aspects such as the immune system, energy metabolism, and the brain-gut axis, thereby providing a more comprehensive framework. This research topic aims to explore and bring together the latest advancements and novel approaches in preclinical and clinical research on motor neuron diseases and FTD. We expect that this research topic will have a constructive influence on the field of motor neuron diseases. By uniting experts, clinicians, and researchers, it will foster dialogues surrounding novel and inventive strategies to invigorate research efforts. The potential for advancing enhanced treatments for ALS and its related disorders in the immediate future is substantial.
Submitted contributions may cover various aspects related to innovative approaches in ALS and related disorders research, including, but not limited to:
- Novel pharmacological approaches, cell-based therapies, and RNA-based therapies
- Drug repurposing, combination therapies, precision medicine and personalized treatments
- Recent progress in biomarkers discovery for early detection and disease monitoring
- New pathological mechanisms and pathways and emerging insights from genetics
- Recent advances in understanding the pre-symptomatic phase of ALS and related disorders
- Creation of innovative disease-specific models for drug screening and disease modeling
- The importance of a multidisciplinary care approach and recent guidelines in clinical trial design
- New state-of-the-art technologies applicable to ALS and related disorders
- New research initiatives from other fields in biology, bioinformatics, physics, etc.
Manuscripts presenting innovative and thought-provoking theories and concepts will also be open for consideration. We welcome original research articles, reviews, methods, opinion pieces, and perspectives that contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of ALS and related disorders. We encourage authors to provide compelling evidence, thoughtful analysis, and critical insights that have the potential to shape and redefine the current understanding of this complex and devastating disease.