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ALS: astrocytes move in as deadly neighbors

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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the selective degeneration of motor neurons. Two independent studies in this issue show that astrocytes expressing a mutation in the enzyme superoxide dismutase can exacerbate motor neuron death, supporting previous suggestions that non-neuronal cells contribute to ALS pathogenesis.

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Figure 1: Non–cell autonomous toxicity of mutant SOD1 produced by a combination of damage to different cell types.

Katie Ris

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  1. The author is at the Research Centre of the Centre Hospitalier Université Laval, Laval University, 2705 boul. Laurier, Sainte-Foy, Québec G1V4G2, Canada. jean-pierre.julien@crchul.ulaval.ca,

    Jean-Pierre Julien

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  1. Jean-Pierre Julien
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The author declares that he has competing financial interests in the form of research support, consulting, membership on advisory boards and support for attendance at meetings, but is bound by confidentiality agreements that prevent him from disclosing the details.

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Julien, JP. ALS: astrocytes move in as deadly neighbors. Nat Neurosci 10, 535–537 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn0507-535

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