Gregory Williams, Ph.D.

What if we can detect dangerous T cell responses in the blood of ALS patients?

Funded: January 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, formerly Lou Gehrig’s disease) is an aggressive neurodegenerative disorder that proves fatal to thousands of individuals each year. The exact cause(s) of ALS is unclear, but we do know that several brain proteins have been found to be misfolded and neurotoxic within the brain and spinal cord. Currently, there are only two drugs approved for the treatment of ALS and unfortunately their benefits are very minimal. The exact mechanisms behind the disease are still unclear. One potentially promising area of research involves the role of the immune system in ALS. This SPARK project intends to answer key questions about how T cells may be contributing to ALS. These answers surrounding the immune system could prove critical in the design of immunotherapies in the treatment of ALS.

SPARKing Impact: This SPARK project intends to answer key questions about how T cells may be contributing to ALS. These answers surrounding the immune system could prove critical in the design of immunotherapies in the treatment of ALS.