TDP-43

New study identifies specific brain cells most vulnerable to ALS and dementia

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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) belong to a spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases with overlapping symptoms, characterized by muscle wasting, paralysis, dementia, and other serious impairments. There are currently no effective treatments. Many patients have a common hallmark: A protein called TDP-43 clumps together in the neurons of the brain to form tiny … Read more

TDP-43 dysfunction in brain blood vessels may drive Alzheimer’s and ALS progression

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Reduced levels of a critical protein are linked to devastating brain diseases like Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal dementia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Surprisingly, the protein shortage primarily affects the brain’s blood vessels. University of Connecticut researchers report in the April 16 issue of Science Advances that mutations in the TARDBP gene that reduce TDP-43 protein levels also impair the cells … Read more