Document Information


PMID 12387699  (  )
Title Therapeutic developments in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Abstract Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterised by the selective death of motor neurones. The mechanisms and processes responsible for the selective loss of motor neurones are still unknown, however several hypotheses have been put forward, including oxidative damage and/or toxicity from intracellular aggregates due to mutant superoxide dismutase-1 activity, axonal strangulation from cytoskeletal abnormalities, loss of trophic factor support and glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. These theories are based on a better understanding of the genetics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and on biochemical and pathological analysis of post-mortem tissue. They have led to the development of appropriate animal and cell culture models, allowing the sequence of events in motor neuronal degeneration to be unravelled and potential therapeutic agents to be screened. Unfortunately, the majority of therapeutics found to be efficacious in the animal and cell culture models have failed in human trials. Riluzole is still the only proven therapy in humans, shown to extend survival of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients by approximately 3 months, but it has no effect on muscle strength. Other potential therapeutic approaches are being identified, including inhibition of caspase-mediated cell death, maintenance of mitochondrial integrity and energy production, regulation of glutamate homeostasis, reduction of inflammation and control of neurofilament synthesis. Hopefully, in the near future some new agents will be found that can alter the course of this devastating and fatal disease. Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.

NOTE: Color highlight is limited to the abstract and SciMiner text-mining mode. If you see much more identified targets below from "Targets by SciMiner Summary" and "Targets by SciMiner Full list", they may have been identified from the full text.



Targets by SciMiner Summary

HUGO ID Symbol Target Name #Occur ActualStr
11179SOD1superoxide dismutase 1, soluble (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 1 (adult))1superoxide dismutase 1 |

 


Targets by SciMiner Full list

HUGO ID Symbol Name ActualStr Score FlankingText
11179SOD1superoxide dismutase 1, soluble (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 1 (adult))superoxide dismutase 11.0ible for the selective loss of motor neurones are still unknown however several hypotheses have been put forward including oxidative damage and/or toxicity from intracellular aggregates due to mutant superoxide dismutase 1 activity axonal strangulation from cytoskeletal abnormalities loss of trophic factor support and glutamate mediated excitotoxicity.