Stuart Millheiser: Do Genetics Play Into ALS?

By Jason McDonald


If you want to talk about ALS, in terms of remedies and the like, you will find that there isn't much to talk about. Information in this regard is scarce, meaning that research is rendered that much more vital. Stuart Millheiser can tell you the same, but it seems like there may be a genetic component associated with the aforementioned condition. If you're inquisitive about what this exactly means, perhaps a study that was published recently is of interest to you.

According to a Genetic Literacy Project article, about 90 percent of ALS cases are unknown. However, the remaining 10 percent or so seem to be linked to genetics. Research that was published in the American Journal of Human Genetics spoke extensively about gene C9orf72-mutations, and how these may play into the development of ALS. In this particular study, four of the five offspring in the third generation wound up becoming diagnosed, whereas their parents and grandparents did not.

I am sure that Stuart Millheiser and others can attest to the intrigue associated with the study. The article also mentioned that C9orf72 is routinely observed in healthy neurons, within the nuclear membrane to be more precise. However, when it comes to diseased neurons, the aforementioned gene is seen in the plasma membrane. This plays negatively into the idea of protein, which is needed in order to keep muscular functions at a high level.

As you can clearly see, there are different variables which go into the risk and development of ALS alike. This isn't to say that the general public cannot help, as different methods can be taken up by the general public and activists such as Stuart Millheiser. For example, donations may be the most direct way to help, since the money will go to research. Given the extensive level of work that goes into this process, it's easy to see why financial backing matters.

Without question, this information is useful and I am sure that it will go into future studies regarding ALS as well. Activists will always be looking out for new information, taking different stories into account so that they can understand the progress being made. For those who'd like to help this level of progress along, it's easy to see that different methods can be carried out. Not only are they relatively easy to do, but the impact said methods can have on scientific development cannot be overlooked.




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