The Research Center for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALSCenter) brings together the groups that are involved in ALS research at the Institute, from an epidemiological, preclinical and translational point of view. It also coordinates the regional population-based registry of ALS and carries out activities in support to clinical studies.
ALS is a severe neurodegenerative disease of adulthood that affects motor neurons, the cells responsible for muscle contraction, a condition that leads to paralysis and consequent atrophy of the voluntary muscles of the whole body, finally involving the respiratory muscles. A therapy for ALS to date has not yet been developed. Only in about 10% of patients the disease is due to genetic mutations, in most cases the cause is unknown. It is hypothesized that ALS is caused by a combination of factors: genetic predisposition, environmental factors and processes associated with aging. ALSCenter research aims to understand which of these elements are the most important to hit, how and when, in order to stop or slow down the disease. It also aims to identify biomarkers to support diagnosis and prognosis and useful for monitoring the progression of the disease and the efficacy of therapies.
Research lines
Services offered
GATTALS - A gene therapy approach targeting TDP-43 pathology in ALS
Ente Finanziatore: AriSLA- Fondazione Italiana di Ricerca per la SLA
EVTestInALS - Extracellular vesicles in ALS: testing their use as biomarkers for prognosis and disease progression
Ente Finanziatore: AriSLA- Fondazione Italiana di Ricerca per la SLA
A mechanism-based gene therapy approach forTDP-43 proteinopathies: a proof-of-concept study in frontotemporal dementia and traumatic brain injury
Ente Finanziatore: Fondazione Cariplo
TDP-43 pathology and Lys-acetylation in circulating lymphomonocytes as biomarkers and therapeutic hints for amyotrophiclateral sclerosis
Ente Finanziatore: Ministero della Salute, Ricerca Finalizzata
Understanding the role of peripheral monocyteson muscle regeneration coupled to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis progression
Ente Finanziatore: Ministero della Salute, Ricerca Finalizzata- StartingGrant
Intramuscular allosteric agonism of purinergic P2X7 receptor as a pharmacological approach to enhance skeletal muscleregeneration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Drug Development Grants
Ente Finanziatore: FightMND Australia
Dissecting the role of the myokine musclin against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-induced muscle atrophy
Ente finaziatore: AFM Association Française Contre Les Myopathies -Trampoline Grant
What ALS wants?/Cosa vuole la SLA? A prospectivecohort study investigating the satisfaction of needs and priorities of caregivers and patients in relation to the administered care
Ente Finanziatore: Ministero della Salute, Ricerca Finalizzata Giovaniricercatori