New ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) gene identified:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Swedish scientists have discovered a novel gene for motor neurone disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The gene - ITPR2 (inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor 2) - was identified in "the world's most comprehensive study in the field thus far", according to the researchers, based at the Umea University. ITPR2 codes for a protein that is important for the regulation of calcium levels in the neurones. The protein is also involved in neurotransmission, and programmed cell death, or apoptosis. The team is now looking for disease-related mutations in the gene. The findings were published in an early online publication of The Lancet Neurology, on September 7.