Ice Bucket Challenge Helped Lead to New ALS Gene Discovery
An international research team funded by The ALS Association’s ALS Ice Bucket Challenge donations has identified a new ALS gene. The gene, NEK1, now ranks among the most common genes that contribute to the disease. Their study provides another potential target for therapy development.
This was the largest-ever study of familial ALS, involved contributions from over 80 researchers in 11 countries, and was led by John Landers, Ph.D., of University of Massachusetts Medical School and Jan Veldink, Ph.D., of University Medical Center Utrecht.
