Newsroom

New worm model sheds light on ALS


October 11, 2017


Dr. Johnny Ngsee’s team has created the first worm model of a genetic form of ALS called ALS8 that can be used to learn more about the disease and test possible therapies. ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is caused by the gradual death of the nerves that control the muscles. There is no prevention or cure, and 80 percent of people with ALS die within two to five years of being diagnosed. Dr. Ngsee’s team created worms with a genetic mutation that mimics the disease. In these worms, the nerves that control backwards movement start dying during middle-age. Middle-age is when humans with the disease usually start experiencing symptoms. The team found that treating these worms with a chemical called PIK-93 significantly reduced nerve death and improved the worms’ ability to move backwards. However, the treatment had to be given before the nerves started dying, and had to be continued for the rest of the worm’s life. The team’s next step is to find out exactly what molecular pathway PIK-93 is hitting, and whether it could be made to work shortly after nerve death begins. The results of the study are published in Scientific Reports.

Authors: Wendy Zhang, Antonio Colavita and Johnny Ngsee

Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research

The Ottawa Hospital: Inspired by research. Driven by compassion


The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals with over 1,100 beds, approximately 12,000 staff and an annual budget of over $1.2 billion. Our focus on research and learning helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region, but our techniques and research discoveries are adopted around the world. We engage the community at all levels to support our vision for better patient care. See www.ohri.ca for more information about research at The Ottawa Hospital.

University of Ottawa: —A crossroads of cultures and ideas


The University of Ottawa is home to over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. www.uottawa.ca

Media Contact


Amelia Buchanan
Senior Communication Specialist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687
Cell: 613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca


 

Disease and research area tags: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis