Gilenya and Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS)? Amazing possibilities!

Apparently, in mouse models at least, Fingolimod (Gilenya) is holding promise in slowing the progression of Lou Gehrig's Disease, a/k/a ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

This is amazing news that is full of hope for those suffering from this terrible disease. From ALSA.org :

The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.

Gilenya will need trials in human patients not only to confirm that it will work in people as they did in mice, but to determine dosage levels and identify potential side effects.

Source:  http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/old-drug-potential-new-use-headache-pharma/2012-02-14

I am so very full of hope that this medicine can help those who suffer from this terrible disease. 

It strikes me that western medicine seems to just now be catching up with what the ancient Chinese have known for centuries: there is immense healing powers bottled up in the isaria sinclarii fungus from which Fingolimod is derived.