Robert Kalb, MD, gives his presentation
Mitochondrial dysfunction has been seen in nervous system tissues from #als patients and innumerable models of ALS. Reduced generation of ATP from sick mitochondria provides the impetus for neurons to undertake countermeasures to align energy supply with demand. In this presentation, Dr. Kalb will describe how investigations of fuel utilization in cortical neurons expressing two different familial ALS-causing genes reveal alterations in the operation of glycolysis and the Krebs cycle with little observable effects on ATP production and redox state. He will also describe how manipulations of intermediary metabolism promote the survival of motor neurons in vitro, and he will posit that small molecules that affect fuel utilization by neurons may be a rational therapeutic approach for ALS patients.
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