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Scientists can now target the cells at the center of ALS

The major scientific discovery opens the door to new treatments for the devastating disease. 

Enhancer AAV driving a bright fluorescent protein (green signal) was delivered to mice non-invasively and the intact spinal cord was imaged using lightsheet microscopy. Spinal motor neurons are revealed by the AAV in great detail throughout the entire length of the spinal cord and in thin spinal cord sections from each level of cord. 

Liz Dueweke headshot

June 16, 2025

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Why it Matters

How Scientists Did It

Image of a spinal cord section taken from the lumbar region. An enhancer AAV expressing a bright fluorescent protein in motor neurons was delivered to the animal and spinal cord sections were stained to reveal viral label in choline acetyltransferase or ChAT positive neurons (yellow = merge of two channels; green virus and red ChAT). Right inset image shows motor neuron cell bodies and axons emanating from the spinal cord tissue.

What this Could Mean for People with ALS

A Hopeful Sign for Success in Humans