amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Gruppo di ricerca sulla sclerosi laterale amiotrofica

Gruppo di ricerca sulla sclerosi laterale amiotrofica

Il gruppo di ricerca sulla sclerosi laterale amiotrofica si avvale dalla collaborazione decennale tra il centro malattie rare neuromuscolari (Dipartimento di Neuroscienze Umane), il laboratorio di voltage-clamp intracellulare (Dipartimento di Fisiologia e Farmacologia) e l'Unità di Istologia ed Embriologia Medica (Dipartimento di Scienze Anatomiche Istologiche Medico Legali e dell'Apparato Locomotore).

Neuromuscular Research Group

Neuromuscular Research Group

We study muscle homeostasis and regeneration under normal and pathologic conditions. The main goal of our project is to define the tissue signals and to characterize the molecular mechanisms of muscle wasting. Although considerable information has accumulated regarding the physiopathology of muscle diseases, the associated molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: autoimmune pathogenic mechanisms, clinical features, and therapeutic perspectives

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive death of motor neurons leading to fatal paralysis. The causes of ALS remain unknown; however, evidence supports the presence of autoimmune mechanisms contributing to pathogenesis. Although several environmental factors have been proposed, the only established risk factors are older age, male gender, and a family history of ALS. To date, there are no diagnostic test for ALS, and clinicians rely on the combination of upper motor neuron and lower motor neuron signs in the same body region.

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