The Role of Collagen in the Pathogenesis, Pathophysiology and Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the upper and lower motor neurons and is characterized by progressive paralysis and death from respiratory failure. The genetic heterogeneity of ALS is an obstacle to its diagnosis and treatment. For many years, the only orthodontic treatment for the disease was riluzole. In recent years, a second nosocomial treatment, entaravone, has been approved and used. In the present review, attention is focused on the levels of different collagen classes in patients with ALS. The role of certain forms of collagen that aim at both the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of ALS and in the treatment is presented. The specific characteristics of collagen that may concern us in the future are mentioned, either as biomarkers for the understanding and early diagnosis of the disease, or for new therapeutic approaches.

Keywords: Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis, Treatment, Collagen