Jonathan Brent, MD, PhD

Clinical Research Training Scholarship in ALS

Northwestern University

In the United States, the annual incidence of ALS is ~1 case per 100,000 people. There is no cure for ALS, but as more ALS genes are discovered, we are learning more about how the disease functions on a molecular level.

Mutations in KIF5A, a type of motor protein, have been identified in patients with ALS. Dr. Brent will study how these motor proteins function in neurons, and how and why mutations in these proteins may cause ALS.

This research is funded by The ALS Association and the American Brain Foundation, in collaboration with the American Academy of Neurology. Dr. Brent will conduct his research at Northwestern University.