Connexin 43 affects disease progression and motor neuron toxicity in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (S54.005)

Conclusions:Cx43 protein levels are elevated in human sporadic patients and correlate with the rapidity of disease progression in ALS. In our ALS model, reducing the expression of Cx43 results in a temporal and anatomical delay in disease progression. This novel observation may offer a potential druggable target to delay disease spread after onset.Study Supported by:NIH R21NS093244.Disclosure: Dr. Almad has nothing to disclose. Dr. Welsh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Patankar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Richard has nothing to disclose. Dr. Huo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gross has nothing to disclose. Dr. Maragakis has received personal compensation for activities with Advanced Technologies and Regenerative Medicine LLC and Above and Beyond. Dr. Maragakis has received research support from Above and Beyond, LLC.

Source: Neurology - April 17, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Almad, A., Welsh, C., Patankar, A., Richard, J.-P., Huo, Y., Gross, S., Maragakis, N. Tags: Motor Neuron Disease and Myopathies Source Type: research