Featured image courtesy of Thomas Shahan via Flickr

Scientists at the University of Miami, Nova Southeastern University and Brain Chemistry Labs have discovered a new way to study amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurological disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Their new approach involves BMAA, a neurotoxin produced by blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria.

How we Know this.

By exposing vervet monkeys to the neurotoxin, the researchers were able to incite a condition that mirrored the onset of ALS in humans, allowing them to study it more closely. The researchers learned that feeding the affected monkeys the amino acid L-serine during exposure helped mitigate those effects, establishing a possible treatment.

Why it matters.

Although cyanobacteria, which is common in Florida waterways, produces several toxins associated with negative health effects, this study shows how compounds found in nature can be used to advance modern medicine. The study findings help advance research on ALS, which does not have a known cure.   

The researchers tested vervet monkeys because of their similarities to humans as ALS develops. While the study shows promise, the authors state that FDA-approved clinical trials must be completed before dietary L-serine is accepted as a potential treatment for ALS in humans.

Learn More:

• About nature as an important source of medicine.
• About blue-green algae.
• About ALS and the study in Miami Herald’s story.
• Read the full press release.