Biruni University hosted an awareness symposium on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) organized in collaboration with the ALS MNH Association.
Held within the scope of ALS Awareness Month, the symposium brought together academics, physicians, and association representatives to comprehensively discuss diagnostic, monitoring, and therapeutic processes.
Genetic Factors and Targeted Therapies in ALS
During the sessions, the critical importance of genetic factors in ALS was highlighted, including the role of genetic diagnosis in familial ALS cases, the identification of at-risk individuals, genetic counseling workflows, and emerging targeted therapy approaches.
Transforming the Clinical Perspective
Delivering a presentation titled 'What ALS Truly Is and Is Not', Prof. Dr. Zeynep Ocak stated that the scientific and clinical paradigm regarding ALS has fundamentally evolved.
Prof. Dr. Ocak pointed out that while ALS was historically perceived solely as a condition leading to muscle weakness with late diagnosis and limited therapeutic avenues, it is now evaluated as a disease spectrum with identifiable genetic subtypes, traceable via early biomarkers, and addressed through novel targeted therapeutics.
The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Biomarkers
Drawing attention to the fact that certain biological signatures can be detected before overt clinical symptoms manifest in individuals carrying genetic risk for ALS, Prof. Dr. Zeynep Ocak stated:
The symposium concluded after in-depth sessions underscoring the vital importance of scientific rigor, early diagnosis, genetic evaluation, and multidisciplinary collaboration in combating ALS.