ALS knows no boundaries: ALS studies across cultures

The ALS Therapy Alliance has galvanized experts from around the globe in the fight against ALS. For instance, the ATA has used a portion of the proceeds from the annual CVS/pharmacy fundraising campaign to establish an ALS network in Mexico. Mexican neurologists and clinical scientists have been collecting serum and DNA samples from ALS patients within Mexico’s borders. From this information, they are able to create a database to help them better analyze their information.

The ATA has also funded studies of a pediatric form of a motor neuron disease, which commonly occurs in India. ATA funding has accelerated research of this disease, including efforts to identify the underlying gene defect that causes this problem. The ALS Therapy Alliance, together with the Israeli Science Fund (ISF), has recently co-funded two international symposia on ALS, held in Israel, as attendees from around the world strive to find a cure.

In addition, ATA-funded research is being conducted in other countries, including Australia, China, England, Belgium and Germany, among others.