Neuroscience 2004

More Study of Possible Link Between
ALS and VEGF Gene Needed

Gene analysis of people in North America and in Ireland does not support an earlier report that a version of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is linked to higher frequency of ALS, according to findings presented at the meeting of the Society for Neuroscience on October 26. Carsten Russ, Ph.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital , said that not seeing the at risk haplotype does not negate the clear biological effect of VEGF in animal models of the disease.

Studies have shown that VEGF, a nutritive factor, can rescue mouse neurons from the effects of the SOD1 mutation, a cause of inherited forms of human ALS.

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