Gene mutation linked to juvenile ALS identified

Washington, August 13 (ANI): Scientists have discovered a gene mutation that may be linked to the development of juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Juvenile ALS-characterized by age of onset below 25 years-is a rare and sporadic disorder, leading to paralysis and eventual death from respiratory failure.esearchers in Saudi Arabia found a specific gene mutation in these patients - and believe it could play a significant role in the disease.

The next step is creating drugs that can target the mutation.

The study was recently published in Annals of Neurology, a journal of the American Neurological Association and the Child Neurology Society. (ANI)