Are Oligodendrocytes the Missing Link in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Pathogenesis?

肌萎缩侧索硬化症（ALS）是一种使人衰弱的进行性神经退行性疾病。最近的研究表明，中枢神经系统的重要细胞，称为神经胶质细胞，在疾病的发生和发展中发挥作用。我们对一种称为少突胶质细胞的神经胶质细胞感兴趣;它们对于支持ALS中死亡细胞的存活至关重要。只有通过了解ALS的潜在生物学，我们才能找到使患者受益的有效疗法。

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating and progressive neurodegenerative disease. Recent research suggests important cells of the central nervous system called glia play a role in disease onset and progression. We are interested in a type of glia called oligodendrocytes; they are crucial for supporting the survival of the cells that die in ALS. Only through understanding the underlying biology of ALS can we aim to identify effective therapies that will benefit patients.