Emily is a health news writer based in London, United Kingdom. She holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Durham University and a master's degree in clinical and therapeutic neuroscience from Oxford University. She has worked in science communication, medical writing and as a local news reporter while undertaking journalism training.
A simple blood test could speed the diagnosis of the deadly nerve disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , new research suggests. If the test gets regulatory approval, it could help patients start treatment that slows the disease's progression earlier than they would with conventional diagnostics, its developers say.
The researchers who developed the test say that, with further evaluation, it could become a useful tool for diagnosing ALS. There is currently no cure for the disease, but earlier diagnosis could help hasten patients' access to treatments that help slow physical decline. Such treatments include drugs such as riluzole and edaravone.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The disease is currently diagnosed through an extensive clinical examination conducted by a neurologist, Sandra Banack, lead study author and a scientist at Brain Chemistry Labs, a nonprofit research institute in Wyoming, told Live Science in an email.
On that last note, the tests could help flag specific biological pathways that could be targeted by new drugs. For instance, the eight microRNAs are known to be involved in processes such as neuroinflammation and programmed cell death, or apoptosis, which play a role in ALS.
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