Bastien Paré, a PhD student in Dr. François Gros-Louis’ lab at Laval University and recipient of an ALS Canada Doctoral Research Award, is studying ALS in a new way: he is investigating the relationship between the skin and ALS. Neurological conditions, like ALS, are often accompanied by changes in the elasticity or texture of the skin which may be a result of both skin and brain tissue having the same origin during fetal development.
By studying the unique skin characteristics of people living with ALS, Bastien hopes to develop new biomarkers that will help researchers to better understand the disease and even lead to the development of new ALS treatments. Furthermore, he is interested in the possibility of a simple skin test that could someday allow for earlier diagnosis.