UM contributes to landmark study uncovering new genetic causes of ALS
UM has contributed to a landmark international study published in the scientific journal Nature Genetics, which significantly advances our understanding of the genetic basis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The study, conducted as part of the global Project MinE initiative and led by University Medical Center Utrecht in collaboration with several international partners, analysed genetic data from thousands of individuals with ALS, including samples from Malta’s national ALS DNA Bank.
The findings reveal that a genetic cause can now be identified in approximately one in four people living with ALS, an increase from previous estimates of one in five.
Researchers also identified several previously unknown genetic alterations associated with the disease. These discoveries expand the number of genes linked to ALS and provide new insights into its underlying biological mechanisms.