“A cure for ALS” is the research fund of the Belgian ALS League. Donations to this fund are entirely devoted to scientific research, and no administrative costs are charged at the time of donation. The ALS League is involved in several research projects at any one time. Donations are collected in a central fund and the ALS League decides which project to sponsor at that time. The operation is targeted and transparent: the design, objective, costs and specific expectations of each project are detailed on the ALS League website.
In the Belgian research landscape, Professors Van Damme and Van Den Bosch, among others, have specialised in ALS research at the KU Leuven / VIB for many years. On the one hand, they focus on stem cell research, generating and studying human stem cells, including motor neurons, from the body cells of ALS patients. On the other, they are studying the mechanisms leading to motor neuron loss and mapping the factors influencing the disease process by introducing defective human ALS genetic material into the fruit fly, which serves as an animal model.
“The ALS League is proud of the Belgian researchers and the progress they are making. This is precisely why we have chosen to support them by donating to the ALS League”, says Evy Reviers, CEO. “For many years, we have enjoyed a fruitful collaboration with the KU Leuven and we are delighted to be working with them to achieve a breakthrough.”
It goes without saying that the ALS League wishes to continue its commitment to financially support international consortia active in ALS research that are of interest to Belgian ALS patients.
The researchers
The ALS League has funded several research proposals over the years. These studies are currently under development. Keep an eye on “A cure for ALS” on this page, as other projects will follow. You can find more information about the studies already initiated here. If you would like to support new research yourself, you can: MAKE A DONATION
Funds for the Valéry Perrier race against ALS
On 21 June 2024, World ALS Day, we signed the Valéry Perrier Race against ALS fund contract with Marie Jo Post.
The partnership was launched under the banner “A cure for ALS”.
The Valéry Perrier Race against ALS fund was created in memory of Valéry Perrier, who died of this terrible disease. Through this fund, his family and his treating doctors hope to raise public awareness of the disease and support Professor Van Damme’s research. The ultimate aim is to advance research into the causes and mechanisms of the disease, and to identify new and improved therapeutic targets.
Valéry’s motto was “Live to the full”, and we’re trying to live up to it!
Find out more at valeryperrierraceagainstals.com
Accomplished :
Financing 2019
● A new neuroprotective treatment: PHD1?
● Zebrafish as a model system to study the genetic causes and risk factors of ALS.
● Electrophysiological characterisation of human motor neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells for the study of ALS.
● Study of the pathogenic mechanisms of C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeats induced by FTLD/ALS in Drosophila.
● C9orf72 GGGGCC repeat expansion mutations in ALS: an international gene expression study.
● Unravelling the physiological and pathophysiological role of the interaction between the low-complexity N-terminal domain and the C-terminus of FUS.
● Belgian branch MinE project: genetic research into the cause of ALS.
● Zebrafish as a model for C9orf72-related ALS.
● Induced pluripotent stem cells and the fight against ALS.
● The fruit fly as a model for new ALS treatments.
● …
Articles :
● Molecular causes of protein aggregation in ALS and FTLD.
● In vivo electrophysiological measurement of compound muscle action potential.
● Testing a new treatment in a mouse model of ALS.
● The neurobiology laboratory at the ENCALS 2018 conference.
● Energy metabolism in ALS: an underestimated opportunity?
● The international Project MinE team confirms a new genetic mutation link to ALS.
● Research report 2017
● ‘Traffic jams’ avoided in human motor neurons in ALS.
● Modelling ALS: progress and possibilities.
● Facilitating axon regrowth in ALS with EphA4 nanobodies.
● Clinicians develop biomarker-based approach to confirm ALS diagnosis.
● Promising new insights into ALS.
● A mapping overview of international guidelines for ALS management and care.
● Genetic silencing of the gene encoding histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) has a positive effect on mouse models of ALS.
● Genetic screening in fruit flies links nuclear transport genes to DPR pathology in c9ALS/FTD.
● Nuclear transport problems are linked to ALS and FTD.
● Intracerebral drug delivery: summary KU.
● ENCALS 2014 report
● ERC advanced grant ‘MODIFALS’ awarded to Prof Robberecht (zebrafish research).
● Electrical excitability of nerve cells.
● Toxic mechanism of fruit fly research.
● Oligodendrocytes: key players in the ALS disease mechanism.
● An international study on genes
● “Opening up the future”: a new approach to groundbreaking research.
● The changing scene of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
● Zebrafish pave the way for the development of new therapies for ALS.
● Protection against oxygen radicals via manipulation of oxygen sensors.
● Development of Leuven drug candidate against ALS nerve disease moves into high gear.
● Scientific research on ALS: the important role of astrocytes and microglia in ALS.
The fruit fly as an ALS model
● Scientific research into ALS
● A major breakthrough for a Belgian researcher specialising in VEGF
● CHCHD10 variants in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: where is the evidence?
● Gene therapy with a growth factor appears to be a promising therapy.