Nervous disease ALS research success thanks to the Ice Bucket Challenge

"Ice Bucket Challenge" was successful: researchers discover new genes
About two years ago, the so-called "Ice Bucket Challenge" went around the world within a very short time. Thousands of buckets of ice water were poured over heads - all for the good cause. The action was intended to raise money for ALS research. Researchers are now reporting genes that they have discovered in this context.

Donations of the "Ice Bucket Challenge" enabled research
The Internet action "Ice Bucket Challenge", in which the participants showered for a video with ice water and promote the fight against the rare nervous disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), was apparently successful. About 220 million US dollars should have come together with it. Researchers have now discovered new gene variants that contribute to the disease in many cases. As John Landers said in a press release from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, the donations made the Challenge possible.

The so-called "Ice Bucket Challenge" has provided numerous donations, which were put into the research. This allowed scientists to find new gene variants that affect the nervous disease. (Image: Iliana Mihaleva / fotolia.com)

Scientists involved in eleven countries
The researchers reported in the journal "Nature Genetics" on their results. "The study was only possible because of the cooperation of all the scientists involved," said Landers. According to the information, 80 researchers in 11 countries were involved in the study. Other participants also wrote about the results. For example, scientists from Australia also reported on their new findings in "Nature Genetics". According to a release published on ScienceDaily, University of Queensland Professor Naomi Wray said, "These three new genes open up new research opportunities to understand a complex and debilitating disease that is currently not being addressed effective treatment. "

Incurable nerve disease
Nervous disease ALS, which causes severe muscle twitching and severe swallowing problems, among others, leads to nerve cell damage. It is not curable and causes death in about half of the patients within the first three years. Affected individuals only live with the disease for more than a decade in exceptional cases. So far, the therapy has focused mainly on the relief of symptoms and psychological care.

No donations for cruel animal experiments
A few years ago, however, American scientists reported in the journal "The Lancet" that the course of ALS could possibly lead to a reduction in carbohydrates. When the "Ice Bucket Challenge" 2014 was on everyone's lips, the "Doctors Against Animal Testing" association had called on the nominees not to donate to the ALS Association. This is because it would also finance cruel and nonsensical animal experiments that do not benefit ALS research. (ad)