Health Care Robotics Laboratory at Georgia Tech
The Emory ALS Center is actively engaged in research ranging from basic enquiries into the causes of ALS to clinical trials of new drugs in people with ALS. The basic science laboratories are staffed with undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and research technicians who utilize the most sophisticated techniques and technologies to investigate why motor neurons degenerate in people with ALS. Just as important is the development of models of disease where we can test treatments that have the potential for protecting motor neurons in people with ALS. Our research laboratories are located within the Emory Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, where investigators from a wide variety of backgrounds work together to understand the causes and possible treatments for number of Neurodegenerative Diseases, including ALS. We believe that working together with our colleagues who study Alzheimer Disease, Parkinson Disease and other degenerative diseases of the nervous system we will discover common mechanisms of disease that will help us progress faster toward a cure. We are also active research participants in the efforts of the Packard Center for ALS Research to provide the most cutting edge research into the causes of ALS.
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Studies in mutant SOD1 ALS mice: Left: Nerve fibers (green) pull away from connections with muscles (red). A = normal, B = abnormal (as in ALS). Center: spinal cord from mouse. Right: Motor neuron from mouse. |
The Emory ALS Center is also actively engaged in research projects involving clinical trials of new medications to slow the progression of ALS. We are also studying people with ALS to better understand the genetic causes of disease in families with ALS, and also to investigate whether there is a genetic predisposition to disease in patients with non-familial (“sporadic”) ALS.
We at the Emory ALS Center are passionate about providing the best care for patients and families, but we are also passionate about finding causes and cures for this disease. This dual mission of the Emory ALS Center requires support of foundations, government, and individuals. We are fortunate to have the support of both the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the ALS Association of Georgia, as well as research funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Packard Center, and Emory University. Of course, our ability to provide resources for patients and cutting edge research is directly related to funding these two important missions. There are many ways that you can participate, and we welcome any help you can provide. HOW YOU CAN HELP PAGE
