IIT Hyderabad researchers find new molecule to potentially treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

ALS is a neurodegenerative disorder that severely affects the voluntary movement of the muscles and can lead to paralysis and death and occurs due to changes in specific genes

INDIAN INSTITUTE of Technology Hyderabad researchers have found a molecule called ‘AIM4’ that shows promise in the treatment of a rare and debilitating neurodegenerative disease called ‘Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis’ (ALS), also known as ‘Lou Gehrig’s disease.’

ALS is a neurodegenerative disorder that severely affects voluntary movement of muscles and can lead to paralysis and death. It occurs due to changes in specific genes, which may be triggered by factors such as smoking, exposure to toxins, metals and pesticides.

The results of this research, performed by a team lead by Dr Basant Kumar Patel, Dr Sandeep Singh and Dr Rajakumara Eerappa, faculty from the Department of Biotechnology, IIT Hyderabad, and Prof. Ganesan Prabushankar, Department of Chemistry, IIT Hyderabad, has recently been published in the reputed peer-reviewed International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.

The paper has been co-authored by these scientists along with research scholars – Amandeep Girdhar, Vidhya Bharathi, Vikas Ramyagya Tiwari, Suman Abhishek, Waghela Deeksha, Usha Saraswat Mahawar, and Gemballa Raju.