Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2024, Vol. 19 ›› Issue (5): 1036-1044.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.382985

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Pathological mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Yushu Hu1, 2, Wenzhi Chen1, 2, Caihui Wei1, 2, Shishi Jiang1, 2, Shu Li1, 2, Xinxin Wang1, 2, Renshi Xu1, 2, 3, *   

  1. 1Department of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China; 2Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China; 3Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College; The Clinical College of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
  • Online:2024-05-15 Published:2023-10-31
  • Contact: Renshi Xu, PhD, xurenshi@ncu.edu.cn.
  • Supported by:
    This work was in part supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Nos. 30560042, 81160161, 81360198, and 82160255; Education Department of Jiangxi Province, Nos. GJJ13198 and GJJ170021; Jiangxi Provincial Department of Science and Technology, No. 20192BAB205043; and Health and Family Planning Commission of Jiangxi Province, Nos. 20181019 and 202210002 (all to RX).

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Abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis refers to a neurodegenerative disease involving the motor system, the cause of which remains unexplained despite several years of research. Thus, the journey to understanding or treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is still a long one. According to current research, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is likely not due to a single factor but rather to a combination of mechanisms mediated by complex interactions between molecular and genetic pathways. The progression of the disease involves multiple cellular processes and the interaction between different complex mechanisms makes it difficult to identify the causative factors of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Here, we review the most common amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated pathogenic genes and the pathways involved in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, as well as summarize currently proposed potential mechanisms responsible for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease and their evidence for involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In addition, we discuss current emerging strategies for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Studying the emergence of these new therapies may help to further our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease.

Key words: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cellular pathways, disease mechanisms, motor neuron, neurodegenerative disease