minocycline

A drug being trialed (2006) for ALS patients to help slow (or inhibit) the progress of motor neuron degeneration. In a University of California study (here), conducted in cell culture, the team determined that the drug blocks the action of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), a protein that can trigger inflammation and cell death. The way in which minocycline works has been very unclear until now (June 2006). Minocycline turns out to be an extraordinarily good PARP inhibitor and with further study may be a therapy used to help slow the progression of ALS.