Audio Interview

MicroRNA as a biomarker for early detection of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Published on March 31, 2025   13 min

Other Talks in the Playlist: Research and Clinical Interviews

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Interviewer: We're joined today by Paul Alan Cox, Sandra Banack, and Rachael Dunlop from the Brain Chemistry Labs in Jackson, Wyoming, to discuss the recent publication describing the development of a novel biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS. Dr. Cox: Thank you very much for interviewing us. The Brain Chemistry Labs is a not for profit research institute headquartered in Jackson, Wyoming. Our sole goal is to improve patient outcomes. Interviewer: To kick things off, can you please describe the current landscape of ALS biomarkers and tell us a bit about the eight microRNA fingerprint biomarker that your group has developed? Dr. Banack: ALS affects approximately 30,000 patients in the United States each year and their families. It progressively attacks nerve cells that control muscle development and this leads to paralysis and typically proves fatal within 2-5 of onset. Current diagnosis relies heavily on clinical observations of progression which can take months or even years and patients sometimes receive incorrect diagnoses along the way. Our objective was to develop a blood-based diagnostic biomarker because a simple blood draw is optimal for patients. In development by other research groups are primarily imaging and protein markers, we are focusing on microRNA which act like cellular control switches regulating the functions in the body. The microRNA pathways are upstream from the protein pathways and therefore have the potential to diagnose

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MicroRNA as a biomarker for early detection of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

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