Translational therapeutic strategies in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a clinically severe and fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by a loss of both upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in progressive muscle loss and paralysis. While the exact cause of neuronal death in ALS remains unknown, it is proposed that multiple molecular defects trigger motor neuron cell death. These pathophysiological mechanisms include oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, protein aggregation, glutamate cytotoxicity, transcription dysfunction, inflammation, and apoptotic cell death. An understanding of how these potential therapeutic targets interrelate will provide direction both in the development of a pharmacotherapy and in the design of clinical trials in ALS. Important issues related to therapeutic development are the principals that should be followed in designing and conducting experiments using genetic animal models and what body of evidence is desirable to fully inform clinical decision making. In the context of ALS, we review some of the salient issues related to the use of genetic models in providing a guide to assessing studies in translating therapeutic strategies to patients with ALS and discuss therapeutic targets and pharmacological approaches to slowing disease progression. As in other neurodegenerative diseases, the most effective neuroprotection may result from combined treatment strategies.