A groundbreaking 19 protein blood panel has been shown to predict the onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) months to years before symptoms emerge. The discovery, based on data from the Pre symptomatic Familial ALS (Pre fALS) study, could revolutionize early intervention strategies by identifying at risk individuals long before irreversible motor neuron damage occurs. While still in the research phase, the test offers hope for preventive therapies in familial ALS cases.
Researchers have identified a panel of 19 blood proteins whose levels change dramatically in the months to years preceding the onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The findings, published in *Nature Communications*, emerged from an analysis of data collected through the Pre symptomatic Familial ALS (Pre fALS) study, which has tracked individuals with genetic mutations linked to ALS for over a decade.
The study focused on participants who carry mutations in genes such as *C9ORF72* or *SOD1*, which are strongly associated with familial ALS. By comparing blood samples taken at regular intervals, the research team observed consistent shifts in protein levels that preceded clinical diagnosis by an average of 18 to 24 months. These changes were not present in healthy controls or individuals with other neurodegenerative conditions, suggesting a specific signature for ALS progression.
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