The Jackson Laboratory

ALS research at The Jackson Laboratory

Our scientists are working to identify the underlying patterns of genetic susceptibility to ALS. Their findings are also generating new insights into the environmental triggers of ALS.

Associate Professor Greg A. Cox, Ph.D.,

Greg works with the nerves that power our muscles, called motor neurons, and diseases associated with them. Dr. Cox has projects investigating aspects of spinal muscle atrophy (SMA) and muscular dystrophy in addition to studying the effects of genetics on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

• Professor Cox's research page
•   See Greg discuss his ALS research (3:23)

Research Scientist Kevin Seburn, Ph.D.,

Kevin investigates aspects of diseases that affect the neuromuscular system. An area of particular research interest is to find genes that modify the onset of ALS in disease cases involving mutations in the SOD1 gene.

Kevin Seburn's research page

At The Jackson Laboratory

• Jackson's tools are used for ALS research worldwide
• Other Neurodegenerative research at Jackson may offer valuable insight to the search for ALS causes and cures

What we know about ALS

• The motor neuron degeneration inherent in ALS mimics the normal processes of aging, but at a highly accelerated pace.
• 90 to 95 percent of cases of ALS occur randomly.
• Only 5 to 10 percent of all ALS cases are inherited.
• Because only 20 percent of inherited cases of ALS result from a specific genetic defect, other unidentified genetic causes clearly exist.