In 2017, major scientific advances in Canada and internationally have led to significant and exciting progress in ALS research. Discoveries that increase our understanding of the disease are happening far more often than ever before and as a result many new experimental treatments are set to begin human clinical trials in the next few years. […]
Can a guardian protein protect motor neurons from toxicity in ALS?
Proteins are the workhorses inside cells, responsible for almost all cellular functions. To perform their tasks correctly, they must fold into the right 3D shapes. If they take on the wrong shape, they can stick together and form clumps. If the misfolded proteins are not removed by protective mechanisms in cells, they can cause toxic […]
Can probiotics play a protective role in ALS?
Probiotics are friendly, live bacteria that are good for the digestive system. You may be familiar with the digestive benefits of probiotics in foods like yogurt or kefir. Many scientists are investigating how changes in the composition of intestinal bacteria may play a role in a range of diseases including obesity, colorectal cancer, cardiovascular disease […]
Understanding if and how the body compensates for motor neuron loss in ALS
An electrical diagram of a building shows where all the electrical wires, fixtures and components are connected to an electrical system. When a circuit is faulty, it’s easy to identify the culprit because specific lights will not work. But the human nervous system is far more complicated. It is a living network of nerves that […]
Who does what?
If you are diagnosed with ALS in Ontario, you can access information, care and support through a few different sources: ALS Canada, your ALS clinic, and the LHIN (Local Health Integration Network, formerly known as the CCAC or Community Care Access Centre). Understanding the different role of each organization can help you decide who to […]
Talking about ALS with friends and family poses special challenges for caregivers
Caring for a loved one with ALS can bring out some of the best qualities in a person ‒ commitment, compassion, and resilience among them. At the same time, it is a stressful, emotionally draining, and sometimes overwhelming role. Being a caregiver to someone with ALS means new responsibilities and considerations as well as unexpected […]
Can a promising drug combination address one of the most defining biological characteristics of ALS?
All cells in our bodies make proteins, but sometimes they make mistakes, resulting in proteins that have the wrong shape. In a healthy body, protective mechanisms within the cells deal with the misshapen proteins so they don’t cause trouble, but when those mechanisms fail, the defective proteins can accumulate in clumps, making it difficult for […]
ALS Canada awards $3 million for 12 new research projects to help make amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) a treatable, not terminal disease
TORONTO, November 22, 2017 – Today, the ALS Society of Canada announced 12 exciting new research projects being funded in 2017 through the ALS Canada Research Program, which is supported by ALS Societies across Canada. The research being funded includes a multi-year study of a promising drug combination, three trainee grants that will help to […]
Holiday gift ideas for someone living with ALS
What do you give someone living with ALS to show you care? There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ gift that works for everyone, but there are special ways to say “I am thinking of you.” The holiday season can be a perfect time to do just that. We recognize that it’s not always easy to know how to […]
New Board appointments in 2017/18
According to Imagine Canada, a non-profit organization focused on strengthening the charitable sector, charitable and non-profit organizations have a responsibility to be well-governed. This is a responsibility that ALS Canada takes seriously, and that is reflected in the skills and experience of our volunteer Board of Directors, which welcomed a new Chair in April 2017 […]
ALS Research Update, November 2017
ALS research is at a time of unprecedented advancement. New information on genes linked to ALS and the downstream effects of mutations in these genes has helped researchers to develop a so-called ‘roadmap’ of biological pathways that are important in ALS and to gain a better understanding of this complex disease. With new advancements being […]
Strengthening Canada’s Excellence in ALS Clinical Trials
For a disease like ALS that has few treatment options and no cure, clinical trials are the best hope for the future. Participants in clinical trials play a critical role to help determine if a new treatment can slow, halt or reverse disease progression, or if a new intervention can improve the quality of life […]
Research to help people with ALS stay active and independent
Updated October 20, 2017 Staying active and independent for as long as possible is important for people living with ALS as the disease progresses. There are many ways in which to manage symptoms or receive care, but there often isn’t enough research performed to determine which approaches make the greatest difference. To help address these […]
The power of connection – one family’s experience with ALS
Throughout his lifetime, David Urlin has worn many hats. He has worked as a farmer, a businessman, a hotel owner and a deputy mayor, and in his spare time he used to play football, baseball, hockey, and racquetball. Then in 2016, everything changed. “David always did so much,” says his wife, Mag. “He cooked, he […]
Finding New Ways to Diagnose ALS Faster with Advanced Imaging
ALS is difficult to diagnose because no single test or procedure can firmly identify the disease. Current diagnostic tests for ALS focus on ruling out other diseases that share similar initial symptoms. For example, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test typically used to eliminate a diagnosis of cancer, multiple sclerosis or pressure on the […]
Deanna Fennell: moving forward and giving back
Updated: September 17, 2018 For many years, the WALK for ALS has been bringing people together in support of a shared cause. Everyone has their own reasons for participating: some go to support a recently-diagnosed friend or family member; others focus on raising awareness, and some people WALK to honour the legacy of a loved […]
Kristine Lee: making adjustments along the way
For the past decade, Kristine Lee has been progressively losing the ability to stand on her own. A wife and mother of two, Kristine has upper motor neuron predominant ALS, a form of the disease that typically progresses more slowly than others. A few weeks before her local WALK for ALS, she opened up about […]
Maximizing the impact of donor dollars for ALS research
Finding new treatments that can change the course of ALS requires a robust research program, one that supports a large community of researchers exploring multiple avenues of inquiry. ALS Canada has been supporting world-class research across Canada for more than 30 years with a variety of grants and awards that are helping to learn more […]
7 Ways to Support ALS Canada this fall
Are you looking for new and exciting ways to support ALS Canada this fall? This blog post outlines seven ways to get involved, join a community and make an impact on the lives of people and families living with ALS. To learn more about events outside of Ontario, please visit your provincial ALS Society’s website. […]
ALS researchers respond to the Ice Bucket Challenge
In 2014, the Ice Bucket Challenge became a viral social media sensation … and ALS researchers across the country – along with ALS Canada staff and supporters – responded to the challenge. For a full list of the researchers in the video, see below. ALS Canada Staff Dr. Richard Bedlack, Duke ALS Clinic, North Carolina Sneha […]
Bench Strength: The Power of Collaboration Fuels Canada’s ALS Research
It all started about five years ago, with worms in a Petri dish in a Canadian ALS researcher’s lab. Today, researchers are preparing to launch a Phase 2 clinical trial of the drug pimozide, which in a couple of months will begin recruiting participants at multiple locations across Canada. The story of how this discovery […]
Dr. Christen Shoesmith discusses the importance of donor support
Dr. Christen Shoesmith is the Director of the Motor Neuron Disease Clinic, a member of the London Health Sciences Centre, as well as a member of the Client Services Advisory Council and co-investigator for two ALS Canada clinical research fellowship grants. She is also the chair of the ALS Best Practice Recommendations. Why is donor support […]
Toilets are turning heads and raising awareness for ALS in the Soo!
Last summer when her mother Deloris was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Jennifer Tranberg decided to plan a community fundraising event in conjunction with members of her son’s hockey team, the Sault Ste. Marie Pee Wee Major AA Junior Greyhounds. With so many special events competing for charitable giving, Jennifer wanted to come up […]
ALS Research Update, August 2017
ALS research is at a time of unprecedented advancement. New information on genes linked to ALS and the downstream effects of mutations in these genes has helped researchers to develop a so-called ‘roadmap’ of biological pathways that are important in ALS and to gain a better understanding of this complex disease. With new advancements being […]
Eric Martineau: ALS Researcher Profile
Eric Martineau is a PhD student in Richard Robitaille’s laboratory at l’Université de Montréal. In 2015, he received the ALS Canada Doctoral Research Award, which provides $25,000 per year over three years for young researchers to pursue a PhD in a Canadian laboratory. How long have you been studying ALS? I’ve been studying ALS since 2011 when I joined the […]
Audrey Labarre: ALS Researcher Profile
Audrey Labarre studies in Dr. Alex Parker’s lab at l’Université de Montréal. Could you tell us a little bit about your work? We’re working with the C. elegans, little worms one millimetre long. We use them to model the ALS disease. I’m interested in the gut microbiota – all your bacterial friends that are living […]
Elsa Tremblay – ALS and the Neuromuscular Junction
Updated October 20, 2017 Elsa Tremblay from l’Université de Montréal studies ALS because of a personal connection. Is there anything in particular that drew you to studying ALS? I went into ALS because my father died from ALS, and also my grandmother. So it’s pretty clear that ALS is running in the family…probably a genetic […]
Pimozide: Everything Old is New Again
Updated October 20, 2017 Very early in his medical training, Dr. Lawrence Korngut was introduced to the concept of ALS. “As a neurologist, I have always been very interested in the physical exam and ALS is the perfect example since the diagnosis is made entirely by physical exam,” said Dr. Korngut in an interview with […]
Dr. Christen Shoesmith – ALS Best Practice Recommendations
Updated November 28, 2017 A group of ALS clinicians across the country is developing Best Practice Recommendations to set a common standard of care for Canadians living with ALS. Dr. Christen Shoesmith of the London Health Sciences Centre explains. She will be speaking about the Canadian ALS Best Practice Recommendations at the Virtual Research Forum on […]
ALS Canada Webinar Series: Clinical Trials
Many people living with ALS and their families want to know how scientific discoveries move from basic research in the laboratory through different phases of clinical trials using human volunteers. They also want to understand why clinical research is required before a new therapy is approved and why it takes so long for researchers to […]
From Inquiry to Insight: Dr. Michael Strong
Updated October 20, 2017 Dr. Michael Strong has spent his career as a clinician scientist researching ALS with a determined curiosity and keen attention to new learning in the field. Over the years, people living with ALS and their families have been an ongoing source of inspiration to him. “The toughest thing in life is […]
Skin models for the study of ALS
Updated October 20, 2017 Bastien Paré from l’Université Laval has been studying ALS for more than five years. We spoke with him about his research and the future of ALS in Canada. Can you tell us about your ALS Canada-funded research? I’m quite different from most people that are working on neurons, and trying to understand […]
Every August Until A Cure
“Every August until a cure.” These five words were first spoken by ALS patient and advocate Pat Quinn upon accepting a Webby Award for his part in creating the Ice Bucket Challenge. The social media phenomenon and global sensation raised millions of dollars for charitable organizations dedicated to funding ALS research and support, and gave […]
Learning more about how gene mutations can cause ALS
Updated October 20, 2017 In the late 1980s, Dr. Neil Cashman was completing a neurology fellowship in ALS at the University of Chicago. At that time, little was known about the genetics or biology of ALS and Dr. Cashman became captivated by trying to understand the cause of the progressive paralysis he observed in his […]
For Tom and Denis, the Ice Bucket Challenge is Personal
Like many people, Denis and his husband Tom were familiar with the Ice Bucket Challenge that became a social media phenomenon in the summer of 2014 – but they never imagined they would one day have a personal motivation to participate. That all changed in 2015 when Denis was diagnosed with ALS. From that point […]
Could viruses play a role in the onset or progression of ALS in people with a genetic link?
Updated November 28, 2017 When a person is infected with a virus, it triggers an immune response that generally results in inflammation. For example – think of the sore throat, redness and swelling that occurs when you are sick with tonsillitis. The immune response is designed to rid the body of the pathogens causing the […]
Dr. Richard Bedlack’s Quest for ALS Discovery: The Truth is Out There
Updated October 20, 2017 Dr. Richard Bedlack’s passion for neurology started when he was a child. As many children do, he used to roll down hills with his little brother – but Dr. Bedlack’s inquisitive nature made him wonder why it made them dizzy. His fascination with the nervous system grew over time as he […]
Q&A with Dr. David Taylor, VP, Research
This interview was originally posted on the Hitfar website in February 2017. Thank you to Hitfar for giving ALS Canada permission to re-post this content. Could you start by explaining the disease and its effects? ALS is a disease where the living wires, called motor neurons, that connect your brain to your muscles die. This means […]
Improved community-based support for people living with ALS
Updated November 28, 2017 As we mentioned in an earlier post, ALS Canada has made some improvements to our service offering with the goal of strengthening the support we offer to people and families living with ALS in Ontario. In mid-July, we shared some of the enhancements made to our equipment program. Another important area […]
Now available: ALS Canada’s 2016 Annual Report
The ALS Society of Canada is part of a passionate and compassionate community united in our deep desire to improve the lives of people living with ALS and to make ALS a treatable, not terminal disease. We know that it takes ALL OF US—donors, volunteers, people living with ALS, caregivers, researchers, and advocates—to make a […]
MPs give ALS a voice in Parliament
In 2016, a group of parliamentarians and senators from all major political parties united to bring awareness to the challenges facing Canadians living with ALS. Chaired by Francis Drouin, MP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, the creation of the ALS Caucus on Parliament Hill was a significant achievement, and ALS Canada is proud to have played a role […]
ALS Canada Webinar Series: Research Update
ALS research is at a significant tipping point, and we can now envision a future where ALS becomes a treatable condition. This was one of the highlights shared by Dr. David Taylor, Vice President of Research at ALS Canada, during a webinar presentation on June 13, 2017. The webinar was the first in a series […]
Improving support for people and families living with ALS
Updated November 28, 2017 When you are living with or caring for someone with ALS, there are countless challenges and changes to consider. Through donor support, ALS Canada helps people and families in Ontario to navigate the options available through the healthcare system and tries to fill the gaps in whatever ways we are able. […]
The ALS Canada Research Program
Today was the deadline for applications from the research community for three different types of funding through the ALS Canada Research Program. Applications are evaluated by an international panel of scientific experts through a peer review process, regarded as the international benchmark of excellence in research funding. This approach enables us to maximize the impact […]
Could state-of-the-art gene editing play a role in correcting genetic mutations linked to the development of ALS?
Research is increasingly demonstrating that genetic mutations play a significant role in the development of ALS: for example, the C9orf72 gene is one of the most prominent genetic causes of the disease. With the scientific community abuzz about CRISPR/CAS9, a state-of-the-art technology that enables scientists to precisely manipulate and edit genes in living organisms, the […]
A second ALS treatment, edaravone, has been newly approved in the United States
Updated October 5, 2017 Highlights: In May 2017 the United States Food and Drug Administration approved edaravone (also referred to as Radicava and Radicut) for the treatment of ALS. It’s the second ALS drug to be approved in the US. The first drug, riluzole, was approved more than 20 years ago. Radicava became available in […]
Upcoming Webinar: The Canadian ALS Neuroimaging Consortium (CALSNIC)
Webinar: The Canadian ALS Neuroimaging Consortium (CALSNIC) Monday, April 24 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time: 30 minutes + questions Hosted by: Dr. Sanjay Kalra Click here to register for the Webinar During this webinar you can expect to learn how Dr. Kalra has built a team of researchers across Canada to develop the ability to […]