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New Advances in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 379

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
IRCCS Istituto Delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy
Interests: ALS; motor neuron; genetic research

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will cover varied topics within the field of molecular research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), including but not limited to the following:

  • Genetic mutations and their role in familial and sporadic ALS;
  • Epigenetic modifications and their impact on gene expression in ALS;
  • Protein misfolding and aggregation, particularly TDP-43 pathology;
  • Mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and altered energy metabolism in ALS;
  • Neuroinflammation and its molecular mediators;
  • Nutritional status, metabolic changes, and their influence on disease progression and patient outcomes;
  • Advances in biomarker discovery for the early diagnosis and monitoring of ALS;
  • Novel and advanced models for ALS, such as animal models, organoids, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and three-dimensional (3D) culture systems.

Dr. Vacchiano Veria
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • genetics and epigenetics
  • biomarkers
  • nutrition and metabolism
  • TDP-43 pathology
  • advanced model of ALS

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 1012 KB  
Article
The Significance and Mechanism of Cerebral Enlarged Perivascular Space in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
by Bo-Ching Lee, Yih-Chih Kuo, Lo-Fan Cheng, Yi-Chieh Tsai, Jia-Zheng Huang, Hsin-Hsi Tsai, Jhih-Syuan Lin, Po-Ya Huang, Chen-Hung Ting, Chih-Chao Yang, Hsing-Jung Lai, Chi-Chao Chao and Li-Kai Tsai
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(19), 9474; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26199474 - 27 Sep 2025
Viewed by 270
Abstract
Enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) are MRI markers of impaired glymphatic clearance and have been associated with neurodegenerative diseases. However, their clinical significance in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigated the prevalence, clinical relevance, and pathophysiological basis [...] Read more.
Enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) are MRI markers of impaired glymphatic clearance and have been associated with neurodegenerative diseases. However, their clinical significance in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigated the prevalence, clinical relevance, and pathophysiological basis of EPVS in ALS. MRI data from 114 ALS patients and 119 matched controls were analyzed, with high-degree EPVS defined as more than 20 visible spaces. High-degree EPVS in the centrum semiovale (CSO) was more prevalent in ALS patients (49.1%) than in controls (15.1%, p < 0.001). Age, male sex, and ALS diagnosis were independent predictors, while disease severity and aggressiveness were not associated. ALS patients with high-degree CSO-EPVS were older at disease onset and MRI but showed similar clinical progression. In SOD1/G93A ALS mice, cerebral perivascular spaces were significantly enlarged at 5 months compared to wild-type and younger ALS mice. Cervical lymphatic ligation promoted misfolded SOD1 accumulation in motor neurons and cerebral vessels, further increasing perivascular space width without altering motor function. These findings suggest that about half of ALS patients exhibit high-degree CSO-EPVS, reflecting impaired protein clearance rather than disease aggressiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
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