Grant Details

Role of Skeletal Muscles in Motoneuron Survival in SOD1 Mutant Mice
Ko, PhD, Chien-Ping
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Project Summary
Ko proposes to test a novel concept that defects in skeletal muscles contribute to the death of motor neurons in a mouse model of ALS. He will examine whether muscles from these mutant mice are deficient in certain growth factors for motor neuron survival, and if the muscles are activating certain of their genes, even before clinical symptoms appear. The result could provide biomarkers in the muscles for earlier detection of ALS. His team will then see if they can influence survival of motor neurons. This could lead to a novel therapy for ALS by manipulating skeletal muscles, giving a relatively non invasive approach towards treatment of ALS patients.