Reviewing the Evidence for Viruses as Environmental Risk Factors for ALS: A New Perspective.
Approximately 1 in 400 people will develop the neurodegenerative disease ALS (or Lou Gehrig’s disease) at some point in their lives. Although great progress has been made over the past couple of decades to better understand the role of genetics in ALS onset, the cause of most cases remains unknown.
In a recent review, Dr. Matthew Miller and his student Daniel Celeste investigate the evidence supporting the role of viruses as potential “triggers” of ALS onset. Their review summarizes the known associations between viruses and ALS, and highlights the biological pathways involved in ALS that viruses may aggravate to trigger or worsen the disease.
Thier work offers fresh perspectives on the correlations between viruses and ALS and emphasizes the need for a more multidisciplinary approach towards ALS research in the future.
News