Beijing Tiantan Hospital Establishes Joint Laboratory for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

On Thursday, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, affiliated with Capital Medical University, announced the establishment of a joint laboratory for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) during the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services.

The announcement highlighted the ongoing challenges in understanding and treating ALS. Dr. Wang Yilong, a senior doctor and vice-dean at Beijing Tiantan Hospital, emphasized the lack of consensus on the exact cause of ALS, suggesting a complex interplay of multiple factors. Currently, treatment options are limited, primarily relying on medications like riluzole and edaravone, which offer symptom relief but cannot halt the disease progression.

Rehabilitation training plays a crucial role in early ALS management. Dr. Wang explained that aerobic exercise and muscle strength training can improve muscle strength and alleviate muscle atrophy symptoms. This, in turn, enhances patients' quality of life, boosting their confidence and coping abilities.

However, for patients in later stages of the disease, treatment focuses on life-sustaining measures like assisted breathing and feeding. Dr. Wang acknowledged the lack of effective cures for ALS, highlighting the need for further research.

The newly established joint laboratory aims to address this need. Leveraging the medical resources and research platform of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, the laboratory will focus on basic and clinical research in neuromuscular diseases, with a particular emphasis on ALS. By studying drug clinical effects, the laboratory will explore various aspects of the disease, including etiology, pathogenesis, early diagnosis, treatment, and nursing.

Importantly, the laboratory's focus extends beyond ALS. Dr. Wang emphasized that the laboratory conducts research related to the clinical treatment of neurological diseases, aiming to improve prevention, treatment, and repair systems for these conditions. This encompasses promoting innovative research and clinical applications in the field of neurological disorders, bringing together experts from diverse disciplines like neuroscience, molecular biology, and genetics.