While viral infections have long been associated with neurodegenerative diseases, it has been unclear how infections caused by very diverse viruses all seem to increase risk. The new findings—published today in the journal Nature Communications—suggest that it is the immune response triggered by these infections that accelerates the onset and progression of ALS.
“ALS is a debilitating and incurable disease, so it’s critical that we improve our understanding of the common environmental factors that can hasten its onset and accelerate its progression,” says Matthew Miller, a professor of biochemistry and biomedical sciences at McMaster and principal investigator on the new study. “Understanding what triggers or accelerates the disease could illuminate new strategies for slowing or even stopping it.”