Target ALS supports collaborative, cross-disciplinary research aimed at accelerating breakthroughs in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Dr. Haughey’s award reflects his leadership in advancing ALS research through innovative, team-based science.

Dr. Haughey is a collaborator in a study titled Lipid Metabolic Vulnerabilities in ALS as a Pathway Toward New Therapeutic Strategies, along with Jiou Wang of Johns Hopkins University and Ling Hao of the University of Maryland.

From the proposal:

ALS is characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons, yet the biological changes that contribute to this degeneration remain incompletely understood, especially in the more common sporadic form of the disease. Emerging evidence suggests that disruptions of lipid (fat) regulation in motor neurons play a critical role in ALS. Researchers have identified a direct link between lipid regulation and protein quality control, a process known to be disrupted in ALS. The consortia will determine whether the disruption of lipid metabolism is a shared biological feature between inherited and sporadic forms of ALS, and develop measurable lipid biomarkers to track treatment response, potentially opening new pathways for ALS treatment.

Congratulations, Dr. Haughey—we look forward to the impact of this work!