Researchers have identified significant plasma protein changes linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) detectable up to a decade prior to symptom onset, offering potential for early diagnosis. A study published in Nature Medicine utilized advanced proteomics to analyze nearly 3,000 plasma proteins in 231 ALS patients and 384 controls, pinpointing 33 proteins, notably neurofilament light chain (NEFL), with differential abundance. Machine learning models demonstrated high predictive accuracy, suggesting that these biomarkers could transform ALS diagnosis and risk assessment.
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