The Department is actively involved in clinical drug trials as they show promise and other research studies to further advance our knowledge of ALS.  The ALS Center is also active in collecting information for the ALS Patient Care Database.  Information from this international database is used to study disease trends and to improve patient care.  More information about ongoing studies can be obtained by calling: (505) 272-3194 (RN)

*The ALS Center at UNM Health Sciences Center is jointly sponsored by the National ALS Association and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, one of only a few such designated clinics in the nation.

The ALS Association Releases First Report on ALS Research Advances
The ALS Association has released "Pathways to Hope: The State of Research into Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis," the first report that documents contemporary advances in research into Lou Gehrig's disease.

"More progress in understanding the disease mechanism of ALS and in uncovering new insight into potential treatment has been achieved in the last decade than at any time since ALS was first described by Jean-Martin Charcot more than a century ago," said Dr. Lucie Bruijn, The ALS Association's science director and vice president.  "Pathways" was produced under the direction of Bruijn.

The past decade has seen a dramatic expansion in ALS research, comparable to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.  The growing realization in the scientific community that ALS may share common biological mechanisms with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases is stimulating increased collaboration between researchers and new interest in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.  It is hoped that through increased collaboration, a breakthrough in one disease may have application to others.

"Pathways to Hope" is the first report to document the most contemporary advances in ALS research, which have clear links to early efforts in the late 1800s through the 20th Century.

Pathways to Hope is available here in Adobe Acrobat format.  For additional information about Pathways to Hope or about The ALS Association's research enterprise, please visit www.alsa.org/research or contact The Association's Communications Department at 818-880-9007.