Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC has identified receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1; RIP-1) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and inflammatory disorders.

Microtubule acetylation and impaired axonal transport have been proposed as mechanisms causing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Furthermore, histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is known to play a role in acetylation of α-tubulin, a subunit of microtubules. ACY-738 is an HDAC6 inhibitor that has been reported to slow neuron degeneration in Alzheimer’s disease and ALS models by increasing acetylation of α-tubulin.

Previous research has demonstrated that systemic administration of a P2X7 agonist improved motor performance in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) through enhancing satellite cells and the muscle pro-regenerative activity of infiltrating macrophages.

Axonal degeneration is a key early pathogenic driver of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases. Activation of calpain-2 (CAPN2) is thought to be the critical effector behind axonal degeneration. Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. has presented data on their CAPN2 inhibitor antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) AMX-0114 as a potential therapeutic for axonal degeneration.

Researchers have defined an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) reversal phenotype as having an initial diagnosis of ALS but subsequently showing a progressive and sustained clinical improvement, based on an unusual case they found.