Biomarkers for the Clinical Diagnosis of ALS Patients

Biomarkers for the Clinical Diagnosis of ALS Patients Biomarkers for the Clinical Diagnosis of ALS Patients There are currently no clinically validated diagnostic, prognostic, or treatment responsive biomarkers available for the most common motor neuron disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Our objective is to validate molecular biomarkers for ALS and develop a diagnostic tool for use in a clinical diagnostic laboratory, for rapid and comprehensive ALS testing that reflects differences in subject pathology. This Arizona State University-developed novel clinical diagnostic detection system will allow, for the first time, a clinical laboratory to provide better information to ALS patients and offer guidance for hospital therapeutic interventions. Tools translated through this program are expected to significantly impact neurodegenerative diseases, which are among the leading causes of disability, producing an economic burden in the U.S. of more than $818 billion annually. The successful completion of the proposed work will enable translation of biomarkers to diagnose ALS patients in the early stage of their disease course, surpassing current capabilities and offering the first means of prognosis.