A New Mouse Model Links Cleared Viral Infections to ALS-Like Symptoms

A new mouse model links cleared viral infections to ALS-like symptoms

Recent research suggests that a person’s unique genetic makeup may determine whether a temporary viral infection triggers a permanent, debilitating brain disease later in life. A team of scientists found that specific genetic strains of mice developed lasting spinal cord damage resembling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) long after their immune systems had successfully cleared the virus. These findings were published in the Journal of Neuropa…

Is there a link between viral infection and ALS?

Researchers have made a potentially game-changing discovery about the development of devastating motor neuron diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The team identified a specific type of mouse—the CC023 strain—that responds to a viral infection in a way that looks remarkably similar to humans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). “This is exciting because this is the first animal model that affirms the long-standing theory that a viru…