NEW YORK – New research suggests alterations affecting a microRNA called miR-218 that is normally expressed in human motor neurons may contribute to some of the neuronal excitability changes observed in the brains of those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
"ALS neuropathology establishes miR-218 as a marker of human motor neuron mass and well-being that is downregulated in ALS," senior author Eran Hornstein, a molecular geneticist at the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Project MinE ALS Sequencing Consortium, and his co-authors wrote.