PrioNet researchers find link between prions and ALS

Researchers associated with PrioNet Canada have discovered a key link between prions and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (als) or Lou Gehrig's Disease. The research team from the Univ of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute found that the SODI protein exhibits prion-like properties and participates in a process called template-directed misfolding. The discovery is considered to be the first step towards development of targeted treatments for stopping the progression of ALS. The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences....