A discovery carrying hope. Chinese scientists from the Academy of Medical Sciences have identified a probable cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SLA), or Charcot disease. This neurodegenerative disease, the causes of which remained mysterious, caused a progressive loss of the motor neurons of the brain (snowmobiler), gradually causing muscle paralysis.
Without curative treatment, it causes approximately 1,800 deaths each year in France. According to this new study published in the journal Nature neuroscienceit would be linked to a dysfunction of the mitochondria – which participate in the conversion of energy glucose for cells – causing a degradation of the motor neurons.
Charcot’s disease could be caused by the mutation of a mitochondria gene, which would cause dysfunction. If these results are confirmed, “It would be a very big step forward”, told the Figaro the pr Vincent Procaccio, from the Department of Medical Genetics of the Angers University Hospital. This would make it possible to envisage treatment tracks.
Science and conscience
We need you to carry in the public debate the voice of a free media, which has high the fights of the world of research, shares its discoveries.
- So, Humanity Magazine has been a partner of the Academy of Sciences since 2015 to reveal the best of scientific research every month.
- On humanity.fr, in Humanity Magazine and every Tuesday in humanityfind the scientific news decrypted by our specialized journalists.
Help us to fuel reflection on the ethical, political and societal issues that accompany scientific progress.
I want to know more!
